Each June, thousands of visitors line up for a chance to walk across the MacArthur Lock, stand feet from a 1,000-footer, and learn what keeps the Soo Locks running. That can only mean one thing: Soo Locks Engineers Day is back.

This year’s event takes place Friday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the Soo Locks Park staying open until its usual summer closing time of 10 p.m.

Start your day at the Locks, where you can walk across the MacArthur Lock and see freighters from a whole new angle. It’s the one day a year the public is allowed to do this, and it’s worth it. Along the way, you’ll find tents with displays from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other partners, sharing stories, tools, and projects from past to present.

Nearby, the Soo Locks Visitor Center will be open with interactive exhibits, history displays, and observation platforms to watch freighters pass through. Don’t miss the chance to try your hand as a Lock Master.

As many know and many more will soon learn, Soo Locks Engineers Day is a holiday in Sault Ste. Marie. The entire city is alive and buzzing as visitors from across the Midwest make their way to the locks. Naturally, there is plenty to do for everyone of all ages throughout the day. Whether you’re looking to shop at your favorite downtown stores which are eagerly awaiting the Engineers Day crowd or looking to explore more of the Sault, there is something for everyone.

West Portage Avenue will be closed from Ferris Street to Gov. Osborn Boulevard to make room for local vendors, booths, and family activities. You can find the list of participating vendors by clicking the button below.

In addition to a full day’s worth of fun taking place at and around the Soo Locks, there are a variety of activities taking place nearby. Make time to visit:

• Chippewa County Historical Society – Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a live train display.
• Island Books & Crafts – Annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Cloverland Electric’s Touch-a-Truck – Get up close to big utility trucks and learn how they power the Eastern U.P.
• LSSU’s Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE) Open House – Explore local aquatic science and meet student researchers.
• Carbide Dock Ribbon Cutting – Join dignitaries and the City of Sault Ste. Marie as they host an early morning ceremony at 10 to mark the completion of this historic project. The Carbide Dock and LSSU’s CFRE are both located south of the Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant on Salmon Run Way.
• Arts, Crafts & Family Fun Fair – Hands-on activities, creative vendors, and fun for all ages.
• Kokosing Alberici Traylor Engineers Day 5K – A scenic, soft-sruface 5K along Ashmun Bay at 6 p.m. Register online here.
• LSSU Movie Night – Cap off a long day with a showing of Twister at LSSU’s Arts Center.

Don’t forget Saturday:

• International Bridge Walk – walk the iconic bridge connecting the USA and Canada at 9 a.m. Please visit here for complete information.
• Little Sailors Day – Visit the Original Soo Locks Boat Tour for a family fun day where kdis sial for free, plus hands-on activities, water safety demos, games, prizes, and more. Read more here.

Make sure you follow us on social media to keep up with more Sault Ste. Marie and Engineers Day Re-Engineered fun! Updates regarding Engineers Day can be found at any of our social sites. Find us over on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok and tag us in all of your photos with #ilovethesoo.