Bridge walks and sidewalk sales: Things to do in Northern Michigan this Labor Day weekend

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Labor Day weekend is nearly here, and communities throughout Northern Michigan are preparing to celebrate the holiday.

Whether you want to say goodbye to summer with a quick walk across a bridge or do some shopping, there's plenty to do this Labor Day weekend.

Mackinac Bridge Walk

Each Labor Day, the Mackinac Bridge closes to traffic and opens up for walkers, who can cross the 5-mile bridge that joins the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan.

Walkers can start on either end of the bridge and start to walk across any time after the governor's party starts the walk, which is around 7 a.m. People interested in walking the bridge must start before 11:30 a.m.

Transportation will not be available for walkers looking to cross the bridge afterwards, meaning walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m., or they will be turned back.

The bridge will reopen to traffic at noon.

The Charlevoix Little But Mighty Bridge Walk

From 1-1:30 p.m. on Sept. 2, the "Little But Mighty Bridge Walk" will kick off in Charlevoix.

People will be able to meet at the Town House Bar at 12:30 p.m. for registration.

T-shirts will be for sale at the Town House Bar the week leading up to the event and the day of the walk.

Bay Harbor Sidewalk Sales

In Bay Harbor, the annual Sidewalk Sales take place throughout Labor Day Weekend.

From Friday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 2, businesses in the Village at Bay Harbor will be hosting special deals for shoppers.

Horton Bay Candlelight Bridge Walk

The Horton Bay Candlelight Bridge Walk is returning once again.

Music by Patrick Ryan will start at 7:30 p.m. and the walk across the bridge will start at dark. Candles will be available for participants.

Afterwards, walkers will receive a coupon for free ice cream from the Horton Bay General Store.

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Alanson Swing Bridge Walk

The "World's Shortest Swing Bridge Walk" is back this Labor Day.

At 1 p.m. on Sept. 2, the Rivertown Jazz Band will lead walkers across the swing bridge in Alanson. Afterwards they'll play a free concert at Memorial Park.

The Marilyn Jean, a replica of the Inland Water Route Museum’s historical tourist boat, will be docked at the river for people to explore.

Cheboygan Bridge Walk

The Cheboygan Bridge Walk is back at noon on Sept. 2.

People will be able to line up at the east end of the State Street Bridge at 11:45 a.m. on Monday. Afterwards, hot dogs, music and kids games will be set up in Washington Park.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Bridge walks and sidewalk sales: Things to do in Northern Michigan this Labor Day weekend