It’s a day we have all been patiently waiting for! Engineers Day is making a triumphant return this summer in its traditional format. Yes, that means you can cross over the MacArthur Lock. In partnership with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Downtown Development Authority and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, we are ecstatic to help put on this special event. 

This year’s Engineers Day will take place on Friday, June 24 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with the Soo Locks Park open until 10 p.m. Beginning at 9 a.m., a section of West Portage Avenue in between Ferris Street and Gov. Osbourne Boulevard will be closed off to traffic for vendors to line the street. You can find a list of vendors below.

family friendly engineers day

The day celebrates the engineers who built the Soo Locks along with the men and women of the past and present who maintain the Locks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites people of all ages to come explore the Soo Locks for free. Visitors are invited to stroll the Soo Locks Park, explore history in the Visitor Center and climb observation platforms as mammoth freighters ply the waters of the St. Marys River system. Be sure to stop into the Visitors Center to explore all of the new displays and test your hands at being a Lock Master.

engineers day

For the first time since 2019, visitors will be able to cross the MacArthur Lock and get as close as possible to the freighters that use the Soo Locks daily. Across the MacArthur Lock, more tents and informational booths will be set up. Making the crossing is a must-do. 

engineers day 2019

Be sure to also head down to the Coast Guard Open House. Explore the U.S. Coast Guard Station up close and personal and see what it is like to be in the Coast Guard yourself! There will also be a viewing of a CG Helicopter and Rescue Swimmer demo along with activities and games for the whole family! You will also learn the importance of water safety!

engineers day

After you visit the Coast Guard Open house, be sure to head to The Chippewa County Historical Society. They will be having an open demonstration for their train display. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to see this super cool, detailed display! The giftshop at the CCHS will be open at 10 a.m.

Vendor List

Much like last year’s re-engineered Engineers Day, we’ll be having booths and vendors lined up along Portage Avenue. Here is a list of some of the booths you will find downtown. More booths will be set up inside the Soo Locks Park.

  • Bikers Against Child Abuse
  • Bling by Sam
  • Bodyworks Massage Academy
  • Chippewa County Health Department
  • C-L-M Community Action
  • FIRST Robotics Team/Sault High
  • Flannigan’s GOAT
  • Fountain of Life Chiropractic
  • Friends of Pendill’s Creek
  • Grandpa’s Mini-Donuts
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
  • Hiawatha Skating Club
  • Journey to Healing
  • Sault High Poms
  • Sault Tribe Environmental
  • Soo Locks Children’s Museum
  • The Body Shop
  • Twin Sault Cruisers Car Club
  • UP Kids
  • Walmart
Portage Ave. Businesses

Be sure to also check out these other amazing businesses (and more) while checking out the booths.

  • After All This Time
  • Cultured Pop
  • Das Gift Haus
  • Fudge Du Locke
  • Gateway Gifts
  • Great Lakes Gifts
  • Lockview Restaurant
  • Mocs Du Locke
  • Oh Crepe and Coffee
  • Simply Soo Gift Shop
  • Soo Locks Candy Shop
  • Sugar Daddy Bakery
  • Yooper Trading Co.
  • UP North Wilderness
  • Zak and Mac’s
2022 engineers day infographic

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, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok and tag us in all of your photos with #ilovethesoo.