By Linda Blanchard
June 25 is Turtle Day in Curtis, an annual celebration of turtles that is fun for all ages. 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 11 AM, there will be a turtle presentation at Curtis Public Library. “Illustrious Turtles” will be presented by the Leslie Science and Nature Center. Before and after the program, 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: CJ’s Up North Inn, Country Cottage Gifts, Curtis Chamber of Commerce, Curtis Motor Sports, Curtis Post Office, Curtis Public Library, Curtis Salon, Curtis Service, Curtis True Value, Dollar General, Erickson Center for the Arts, Fish & Hunt Shop, HNJH Wellness Center, Key Realty, Lake Effect Inn, The Lakes Gifts and Ice Cream Shop, Lakeside JP Pizza, Manistique Lakes Family Clinic, Mick’s Bait Shop, The Museum, North Shore Cottages & Gift Shop, Portage Township EMS, Portage Township Office, St. Timothy Catholic Church, The Shipwreck, SNWR Lions Pavilion, State Savings Bank, Tally Ho BBQ, The Store, Three Lakes Academy, The Trading Post, Watson’s Marina, and Welcome Home Décor & Gifts.
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 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Curtis, Michigan.
Turtle picture?
