June 29 is Turtle Day in Curtis. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., turtles will be all over town!
Curtis is the former home of the World Championship Turtle Races. Turtles will be back, not to race, but to provide fun and games throughout Curtis. Come to Curtis for the turtle fun! Playing is fun for all ages, and free.
At 10 and 11 a.m., there will be turtle programs at Curtis Public Library. “Tremendous Turtles” will be presented by the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Before or after the programs, turtle games can be played throughout Curtis. Shops and businesses become “Turtle Stops”, celebrating Turtle Day with little games anyone can play. Start at any Turtle Stop; play the game; get a turtle sticker.
Complete your game sheet and win a prize! Prizes will be awarded at Curtis Public Library.
Turtle Stops include: Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn, Country Cottage Gifts, Curtis Baptist Church, Curtis Chamber of Commerce, Curtis Family Pharmacy, Curtis Motor Sports, Curtis Post Office, Curtis Public Library, Curtis Salon, Curtis Service, Curtis Travelers Lodge Motel, Curtis True Value, Dollar General, Erickson Center for the Arts, Fish & Hunt Shop, Goodale’s Sweet Spot, The Lakes Gifts and Ice Cream Shop, Manistique Lakes Family Clinic, Mick’s Bait Shop, The Museum, North Shore Cottages & Gift Shop, Portage Township Office, Sa-Wa-Quato Inn, St. Timothy Catholic Church, The Shipwreck, State Savings Bank, Tally Ho Underground Bar & Grill, The Store, Three Lakes Academy, The Trading Post, and Watson’s Marina.
Restaurants and delis will feature “turtle” options on their menus—Turtle sundaes, turtle subs, and more.
Turtle heritage is widespread in this area of Michigan. According to the stories and traditions of the Great Lakes Woodland Indians, the turtle is a powerful symbol. One legend details how the turtle’s back provided a base for the first land that was formed in the midst of the great waters. Mackinac Island takes its name from a word in the Ojibwe language meaning “Big Turtle”. Curtis is located in Mackinac County—a big turtle county, where powerful fun is planned for Turtle Day! We like turtles!
For more information, please call Curtis Public Library at (906) 586-9411.
Come and play! It’s Turtle Day! Thursday, June 29, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Curtis, Michigan.
