ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Sunday, May 14, the first of more than 20 American Queen Voyages cruise ships will dock at Little Bay de Noc.
“It has been so exciting to work on this,” said Delta County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vickie Micheau. “The community is really enthusiastic!”
Cruise passengers will be greeted by the Escanaba City Band, Players de Noc, and other community organizations with a welcoming ceremony and ribbon cutting.
“We’ll have our local dignitaries present the key to the city and encourage not only the ship’s crew, but also the guests, to get out and enjoy everything that Delta County has to offer,” Micheau said.
A hop-on, hop-off bus tour–guided by local residents–will show visitors a selection of Escanaba’s businesses and attractions. One of the highlighted stops is the Bonifas Arts Center.
“The fact that they chose us out of all the other places that they could’ve chosen out of the other stops was pretty awesome, because that shows the importance of art in everybody’s life,” said Gallery Director Kate Oman.
Oman says the timing couldn’t be better. In just a few weeks, the Bonifas will open an exhibit two years in the making. It will highlight the work of Anishinaabe, Inuit, and Pueblo women.
“The fact that we get to share cultural references that we see every day here in Escanaba with everybody is just amazing,” Oman said
The Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to attend Sunday’s ceremony, with the goal of helping cruise passengers feel welcome and showing the community’s love for the city.
“We want our community to get out and show their support for this type of activity,” said Micheau. “We’re hoping that this will lead to future community and economic development opportunities.”
The Navigator ship is scheduled to arrive Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. at North Shore Logistics.
