Be it to get people moving or to relax, there’s a few new things lined up at McMorran Plaza in Port Huron this summer.
“Last year was a test of the entire plaza. If anybody was at even the ribbon cutting in May, we were doing construction leading up to (it),” said Jesse Sheldon, a marketing specialist for McMorran.
Now, with a season under the city’s belt, he said they’re stepping up their game.
“(We are) trying to bring events to downtown that can help the local businesses with traffic,” Sheldon said. “It brings people into the local restaurants, as well, because ultimately, that’s the main purpose of the plaza. To act as a civic center for the downtown and to be part of destination-making.”
In an agreement with the YMCA of the Blue Water Area and the city, free fitness classes are back.
That includes a similar range of boot camps, yoga, and strengthening sessions with times both early in the morning and in the evening.
But new to the schedule will be two late-night dance classes. According to the plaza’s listing, line dancing is set for 9 p.m. on Aug. 10 and dance fitness at the same time on Aug. 17 and 24.
Sheldon admitted he’d pushed for the new sessions, adding, “There’s a lack of that in the area — opportunities for people to get out and dance and have fun. That was birthed out of that. Like, ‘How can we combine fitness with dance?’”
Regular weekly fitness classes begin Thursday.
Free movies are also returning to the plaza but with a new set of features.
Sheldon said “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” and “Lightyear” are set for June 20, 22, and 29, respectively.
The plaza’s regular summer concert series formally kicks off on Friday and Saturday after the holiday weekend eased downtown visitors back into live music. Acts will appear from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays on the main stage or in the beer garden by Casey’s.
Acts are advertised through Aug. 5 but expected to be booked through Sept. 30.
In addition to a battle of the bands in June, other special events will be a teacher’s night with sponsored drinks June 16, four days of acts during Boat Week in July, and an ‘80s party on Aug. 16.
“Pretty much every month there’s going to be a major event,” Sheldon said.
A years-long fundraising effort and lengthy million-dollar reconstruction of McMorran Plaza ended with its unveiling in May 2022. An ice rink was later added for activities this winter.
Like Sheldon, Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Winzer said it’s been nice to see its use evolve over the last year. She, too, looked forward to their second swing at things.
“I think we’re already seeing the benefits to downtown with it being open. I think it adds a certain energy to downtown, in my opinion. I’m excited to see it again,” she said. “… Every weekend, it’s just nice to be outside, listening to music. It’s nice to see people from the community and all over.”
For more information on live music, fitness, and event schedules, visit https://www.mcmorran.com/plaza.
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.
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