Free Pictured Rocks cruises for U.P residents

If you want to spend a few hours on the water of Munising Bay for a Pictured Rocks cruise, it normally costs $35.

Upper Peninsula residents will have a chance to take the same cruise for free.

Saturday, June 15 is Yooper Day for Pictured Rocks Cruises.

Around 1,000 U.P. residents cruised Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore free of charge in a single day last June.  The free cruises were so popular that the company is bringing them back.

“This year in conjunction with the Chamber (of Commerce) and the National Lakeshore, to promote the area, and that day we give free rides to Upper Peninsula residents with a valid Upper Peninsula I.D.,” John Madigan said, who is a co-owner and manager of Pictured Rock Cruises.

On June 15, the Alger County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Pictured Rocks Day. Bayshore Park in Munising will be filled with family activities and eleven hours of live music.

“I think they have 35-40 exhibitors.  They’ll be selling different products,” Madigan said.

The free cruises will leave the Munising City Pier every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., weather permitting.  Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.