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UPDATED, AUGUST 28, 2010.
More changes and additions may come so check back.
Directions to Mackinaw City Staging Area. (Tractor unloading area)
&
Parade order to the Mackinac Bridge

Event Date: September 17, 2010
Leaving the staging area at about 9:00am - 9:15am.
Click here to print off directions in Microsoft Office Document
Mapquest of Mackinaw City (click)
Friday morning. Parade divide's in two at the staging area. There will be a Mackinaw City Parade consisting of 300+ tractors with a Mackinaw City fire truck leading the way. Your parade parking at the staging area and your club numbers will start with the letter (M) meaning Mackinaw City. The Mackinaw City parade group will be led into town with your own fire truck. This year the city has agreed to furnish porta-johns in their town staging area because there will be a waiting period in Mackinaw to allow the first group to get on the bridge and to allow organizing the downtown parade. Shut off your tractor if you wish to conserve fuel.

The 1st parade consisting of over 450 tractors to cross the bridge will be called the second parade, even though you will go on the Mackinac Bridge first.   You also will have a fire truck to lead the way. The 1st parade designation for parking at the staging area and your clubs will begin with (B) meaning Bridge parade.   Your job will be to proceed right onto the bridge. There may be a brief stop at the bridge to let other tractors behind you catch up so there is a steady flow across the bridge but once it starts, it's continues. The Mackinaw parade may cut in line if your group is not across the bridge before they get through Mackinaw City. We will not cut into a clubs parade. We will wait until a new club starts before cutting in if necessary. This is to forewarn clubs that timing is everything and I will try my best to get you across before the Mackinaw parade gets to your parade.

Directions to the staging area. Assuming you are headed north on I-75.

The staging and unloading area for the tractor parade is 1 1/2 miles west of Mackinaw City on Central Avenue. Central Avenue is the main east and west drag through Mackinaw City business district. There are 3 exits into Mackinaw City. You will end up on North Nicolet street from the first 2 exits (Exit 337 or Exit 338)   The last exit before the bridge (Exit 339) is also Nicolet street but you will find yourself going south on Nicolet for about 2 city blocks to a stop light. This stop light is Central Avenue and you will proceed west under the highway for 1 1/2 miles to reach the staging area.

The first 2 exits (337 or 338) will lead you to north Nicolet street in which you will proceed north a few blocks before reaching Central Avenue. Nicolet street, Mackinaw Hwy and Hwy 108 are all the same road leading into Mackinaw City. You will proceed to west (Left) Central Avenue 1 1/2 miles to the staging area. The staging area will have our information tent and you can't miss it.

If you are coming from the north (U.P.) you will come south across the Mackinac Bridge and hit the very 1st exit (W. Jamet Street) when you are coming across the bridge. You will see the Shell Gas Station at the exit. Immediately after you get on the exit ramp you will see a STOP sign.   Turn left (south) at the stop sign (Louvingny street) and go two block to the stop sign. This is Central Avenue. Turn right (west) and go 1 1/2 miles to the staging area. If you miss the first exit after the bridge, don't worry. Catch the next exit and head back north to the first Mackinaw City exit you see and go north on Nicolet street to Central Avenue.

Unloading at the staging area:
You can bring your tractors in as early as Wednesday. There will be campers for security, however any equipment left there is "at your own risk". If you get there Wednesday, park to the back of the lot or as far right or left against the fence area so you are out of our way when things really get going Thursday morning. There are ramps for 4' tall semi trailers and the shorter ones. We will be adding additional blocking to the unloading ramps to accommodate more semi unloading. The Kewadin Shores Casino has made a permanent loading ramp the same as the staging area in Mackinaw City so you can load up your tractor after the show safely.

Restrooms locations during the parade.
Restrooms are available right after the Mackinac Bridge toll booth area. It's a rest area. Also downtown St. Ignace by the boardwalk, public restrooms. St. Ignace has agreed to make signs for tractor drives to direct them to these facilities. Total driving distance is between 15 & 18 miles so try not to drink a lot of water on the way.

Kewadin Shores Casino Show and Food
The event will last Friday and Saturday. You may stay at the casino Sunday also, but the event days are Friday & Saturday. The casino has offered free water and coffee when you arrive at their staging area.   They have an event center which will offer pop, hot dogs and burgers for a small fee. They will also have shuttle service to their Event Center with golf carts so you don't have to walk up the hill. Please be sure to thank the casino and their employees for offering a place for the tractor parade/camping/truck parking.

Kewadin Shores Casino and your wrist band.
You will recieve free tokens worth $5.00 at their service desk as long as you are or become a Northern Rewards Club member. Membership is free.

Kewadin Bussing
Kewadin Shores Casino will provide bussing from the casino to the Mackinaw City Staging area at 7:00am Friday morning. And, will provide bussing Friday afternoon to take people back to Mackinaw City to pick up their trucks/car. Camping and truck/trailer parking are available at the casino at the first lot on the right when entering the casino. It's first come, first serve.

Mackinac County Airport (St. Ignace)
The airport parking is for trucks/trailers. There will be porta-johns there. The airport parking is overflow parking from the casino. The parking at the airport is way back on an old grass runway. It's even way past the building you will come to. Just follow the signs. Others have parked here so there will probably be some truck/trailers before you get there.   The airport is on your way through St. Ignace on the north edge of town. You won't miss it.

Tow Straps or Tow Chains
Remember tow straps or tow chains are required on every tractor. Medallions are to be placed on the right side of your tractor and your club representative will give them to you on Friday morning.

See you at the pit and we hope everyone has a fantastic time. Don't forget to gas up and bring your camera.

Please drive safely and don't drink and drive.
Sincerely
Bob Baumgras
www.owossotractorparts.com