to start engines

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 partaking 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.

Silver Bullet Speedway ready to start its engines

The owners of Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale are hoping to get racers back on the track soon. (Huron Daily Tribune, File)

BY MARK BIRDSALL

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.

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.

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

• 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

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 Silver Bullet Speedway in Owendale has been forced to postpone the start of its season due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Nick

Hoonhout/Submitted Photo)

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.

Plan your travels and enjoy your drive through michigan’s Thumb!

Road Map Thumb Are A

Uncertainty looms over Huron County farmers markets

People gathered to buy and sell produce, meat and art products at the 2019 Port Austin Farmer’s Market. This year will look different with social distancing guidelines in place. (Tribune File Photo)

Some will go on, while others remain up in the air

SARA EISINGER

sara.eisinger@hearstnp.com

HURON COUNTY — Agriculture and community involvement make the tip of the Thumb everything it is. Each year residents and visitors look forward to locally harvested fresh fruits and vegetables sold at nearby farmers markets. Due to statewide executive orders and health concerns linked to COVID-19, things have changed this year.

People will more than likely be able to enjoy fresh produce and baked goods at some markets, but might not be able to to shop around for handmade crafts or other items deemed nonessential by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Port Austin Farmers Market

The show will go on in Port Austin, with its market set to open on Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 23. It will extend through mid-October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will take place in downtown Port Austin at the intersection of State Street and Lake Street. Board member Erica Bruce said only essential items will be sold. Vendors selling food, plants and personal hygiene products will be on site.

People are expected to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to help stay safe. Customers must pay by credit card or exact cash, as no change will be given. Face masks are highly recommended, and everyone is asked to follow social distancing guidelines. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up throughout the market.

To learn of any updates, visit the Port Austin Farmers Market Facebook Page.

(Tribune File Photo)

Harbor Beach Farmers Market

Harbor Beach originally planned on hosting its annual farmers market every Thursday, May 24 to Oct. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This date has been pushed back to July.

Kelly Jo Osentoski oversees community promotions and confirmed the chamber’s current plans to host a market every Friday, starting July 3, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Manager of the farmers market Barb Kozlowski sent an email to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, asking for clarification on what could be sold. The AG’s response was food only.

“We will have no problem running it if we get enough

(food) vendors,” Kozlowski said.

The market will take place on the lawn of the Murphy Museum.

If interested in becoming a vendor, email Kozlowski at tupperbarb1@ gmail.com.

Pigeon Farmers Market

Details surrounding the Pigeon Farmers Market remain vague. It was scheduled to take place every Friday, May through October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is no longer the case. If it does take place, it will not begin until June.

“We will know at end of May,” Pigeon Historical Society member Duane Wurst said. “(We) want to start in June if we can.”

It would take place at the farmers market building in downtown Pigeon, located between Village Hall and the history museum.

For more information about the Pigeon Farmers Market, visit the farmers market page on the Pigeon Chamber of Commerce’s website.

Ubly Farmers Market

Ubly has opted out of putting on a farmers market this year. Community club member Bonnie Irvine said the group thought about selling essential items. However, the market only has four or five committed food vendors present at varying times.

“If I were lucky, I would The show will go on in Port Austin, with its market set to open Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 23. It will extend through midOctober, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

have two at a time,” Irvine said.

Instead, she looks ahead to next year’s farmers market.

Find additional information on the Ubly Community Club Facebook page.

Caseville Farmers Market

Michelle Louwers from the Caseville Chamber of Commerce said they are waiting to see what new government rules and regulations will be before etching anything into stone.

“It will not be in May,” Louwers said. “Possibly June, depending on what they say.”

She said they are taking things day-by-day and should know more next week. If the market is held this year, it will take place at the memorial city park.

The chamber of commerce may be reached at email@ casevillechamber.com or by phone at 989-856-3818

Sebewaing Farmers Market

Ray Parsons runs the farmers market in Sebewaing and hopes for a late June kickoff. However, he could not be certain and should know more next month.

“I am thinking about starting June 28,” Parsons said.

To learn more, call Ray Parsons at 989-977-0052 or check out the Sebewaing Farmers Market Facebook Page.

The Farmers Market Association has asked that farmers market managers consult their local health departments and the state of Michigan for information related to COVID-19. The Huron County Health Department can be reached at 989-269- 9721.