RESORTER
michigansthumb.com
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020
3
Upper Thumb still brimming with options for leisure, activity SCOTT NUNN scott.nunn@hearstnp.com One thing is for certain in the Upper Thumb, the month of May usually invokes a changing of the tides as the shutters fly open on seasonal businesses ready yet again to welcome guests. However, this year the communities in the Thumb were thrown the same curveball as the rest of the state, and now everyone has been left in the lurch. Farmers markets have been delayed in opening, as has the public pool in Cass City and the races at Silver Bullet Speedway. Meanwhile, a slew of longstanding annual events have been outright canceled for
2020, including the Michigan Sugar Festival, Lady Slipper Festival, Harbor Beach Truck Show and both Huron and Tuscola County fairs. That doesn’t mean visitors need to turn their cars around once the restrictions are lifted. The Upper Thumb is a wonderful place to visit regardless of the reason, and frankly after being trapped at home for more than six weeks, a little fun is probably just what the doctor ordered. A day or night a trip out to Port Crescent State Park is always a delight. Catch a clear night sky and visitors have the opportunity to see the worlds beyond our own from the Upper Thumb’s only dark sky preserve. By day, the park boasts a
2.3-mile walking trail along a fraction of Huron County’s 90-plus mile shoreline. Another option is always Sleeper State Park, which was named after Michigan Gov. Albert Sleeper, a resident of Huron County who signed into law the statute that established the state park system. Sleeper State Park features more than 720 acres of forests, wetlands, sandy beaches and dunes. Located only a few miles from Caseville, visitors to Sleeper State Park have the opportunity to not only watch beautiful sunrises, but also captivating sunsets. If you are feeling more adventurous, pick up a kayak or canoe and take a trip out on the lake, launch from Grindstone City after partak-
ing in a famous ice cream cone from the Grindstone General Store and paddle along the rock formations, past Turnip Rock and over to Port Austin. While Huron County Parks will remain closed through June 22, it doesn’t mean that our towns are. Restaurants are gearing up for service with many offering curbside pickup, as are our unique shops and businesses. Everyone has been cooped up far too long and as orders are lifted and we are able to spread our wings, be mindful and supportive of the businesses, groups and organizations that stepped up to support the Upper Thumb as it was needed the most.
The owners of Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale are hoping to get racers back on the track soon. (Huron Daily Tribune, File)
Silver Bullet Speedway ready to start its engines BY MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com OWENDALE — Race fans are at the starting line, revving their engines as they anxiously await the return of their favorite sport. Unfortunately, drivers are sidelined as everyone waits for restrictions on large gatherings to be lifted. The owners of Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale are no exception, but they’ve got a lot of great things planned for race fans in 2020, and they hope to get fans in the bleachers as soon as possible. Silver Bullet co-owner Nick Hoonhout said they will revise their schedule as soon as restrictions are lifted, hopefully keeping big events such as Kid’s Night on the calendar.
Silver Bullet Speedway is the longest continually operating dirt track in Michigan. For nearly 70 years, race fans in the Thumb have been flocking to the track in Owendale to fulfill their need for speed. During the speedway’s long history, Indianapolis 500 winners A.J. Foyt and Parnelli Jones both competed against drivers from the Thumb. On most nights, six different types of cars hit the track: IMCA modifieds, pro late models, bullet stocks, street stocks, four- and six-cylinder “road warriors” and kids’ cart class “mini wedges.” Silver Bullet also has a mud bog track with events held once a month, and the speedway also hosts sprint cars, demolition derbies and spectator drag races throughout the
Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale has been forced to postpone the start of its season due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Nick Hoonhout/Submitted Photo) season. Hoonhout said Silver Bullet offers family friendly entertainment with many kid-oriented events offered through their Bullet Buddies
Kids Club. Schedule highlights include: • Power Wheels Demo Derby
• Great Lakes Sprint Showdowns • Hall of Fame Night • Autograph Night • Fireworks Night • Kid’s Night and Bike Races • Shopping Cart Races • Girls Night Out • Old Timers Race • Season Championship Ticket prices for regular nights are $15 for adults, $10 for kids 7 to 14, and kids 6 and younger are free. Silver Bullet offers a family pack of two adult tickets and two kids tickets for $45, as well as a senior discount. Pit passes are $30, with kids 5 and under admitted free. Races get underway at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.silverbulletspeedway.com or follow Silver Bullet’s Facebook page.
