Empire celebrates 40 years of Anchor Day

From staff reports

Empire holds its 40th Anchor Day Festival on Saturday, July 15, with a parade, a street dance, a fun run, a quilt show, a movie and a chicken dinner.

This celebration commemorates the raising of an anchor from the depths of Lake Michigan in July 1977. The anchor was discovered by Doug Manning and
Michelle Stryker while canoeing off the shore in about 18 feet of water. Manning asked if the museum could use a freighter anchor, which was attached to a large wooden beam. Then Empire village president Dave Taghon knew that any relic found in the Great Lakes waters belongs to the State of Michigan, so he called the Dorsett Maritime Academy and Oberlin College. He was assured that, if the anchor was properly displayed, Empire could have it. The anchor was raised by many village volunteers and was placed in its current location at the Empire Beach.

The following year the museum sponsored the first annual Anchor Day celebration to remember the exciting day the anchor was hauled from the lake. This celebration always occurs on the third Saturday in July and is now sponsored by the Empire Area Community Center.

Anchor Day Schedule of Events

Friday, July 14, showing of movie, Anchor Recovery. 7:30 p.m. (90-minute movie) shown at Empire Town Hall. Sponsored by the Empire Area Heritage Group

Saturday, July 15, Quilt Show, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Methodist Church at 10050 West Michigan St. Sponsored by Empire United Methodist Church.

Anchor Day Fun Run, 9 a.m. (registration 8:45) at Empire Beach Park Pavilion. Coordinator is Darby Trapp

Anchor Day Parade, line up at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson Park on Reynolds Street. Parade arrives at 2 p.m. at Front Street.

Lions Club BBQ Chicken Dinner, 2-8 p.m. at Town Hall. Sponsored by Empire Lions

Street Dance with live music by “Streaker”, 7-11 p.m. at basketball court at Empire Beach.

For more information visit www.EmpireChamber.com.