Port Huron’s Bayview Mackinac Race joins America’s 250th anniversary celebrations this July

The iconic sailing race that starts just across the river from Sarnia is marking the United States’ 250th anniversary this summer, with nearly 200 boats setting off from Port Huron on July 18th.

Sarnia's neighbours across the St. Clair River are gearing up for a milestone summer. The Bayview Mackinac Race, now in its 102nd year, has been named an official partner of America250MI, Michigan's statewide commemoration of the United States' 250th anniversary.

The race begins Saturday, July 18th, with nearly 200 boats departing from Port Huron and sailing north to Mackinac Island. Competitors range from Olympians and elite athletes to multi-generational recreational crews, all navigating the same Great Lakes waters that have challenged sailors for centuries.

Bayview Yacht Club's 2026 Commodore Sandra Svoboda said the partnership deepens the race's connection to Great Lakes history. "Maritime traditions are shared by the sailing community worldwide," she said, adding that race participants and volunteers are looking forward to incorporating historical elements into both on-the-water and shoreside activities this year.

Boats will finish on the south side of Mackinac Island beginning Sunday, July 19th, with an awards celebration at Mission Point Resort on Tuesday. Spectators can watch the start from downtown Port Huron along the Black River, and those along Michigan's eastern shoreline may also catch a glimpse of the Shore Course fleet on Lake Huron, weather permitting.

For Sarnia residents, the start is a short trip across the border and a rare chance to watch world-class sailing depart from a familiar waterfront.

More information is available at byc.com.