Sault Sidewalk Days gets back to basics

It may be hard to believe, but a bargain hunter’s summer tradition is more than six decades old.

Organizers of this year’s Sault Sidewalk Sales are embracing simplicity by keeping downtown thoroughfares open and pitching sales tents and tables in front of shops.

Sidewalk Sales 2022 runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6, with many businesses remaining open into the evening to offer extra sales and courtesy refreshments. Kids should keep an eye out for flash amusements, such as bounce houses pitched on open lots.

Sidewalk sales will run north on Ashmun Street from Easterday Avenue to Portage Avenue, where merchant tables extend west towards Magazine Street and east to Bingham Avenue. Within 10 square blocks are eateries, galleries, clothing stores, outdoor outfitters, bookstores, a cigar bar, curio shops, and two museums. Every one of them will have goods and services priced for customers of all ages.

It will be the business district’s largest day for sales other than the Holidays.

One of the weekend’s highlights is a display of the Sault fire department’s new ladder truck that can extend upwards of 60 feet. Look for it along with other tools of the firefighting trade in open areas adjacent to the fire house.

Saturday, Aug. 6, sees the return of the annual Twin Sault Cruisers car show.

Classic cars from all over the EUP and Sault, Ont., will be set out 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Water Street between Osborn Boulevard and Bingham Avenue. Judges will award three cornerstone trophies – Best in Show, Mayor’s Choice, and Ladies’ Choice.

Six awards will also be presented in six categories – GM, Ford, Mopar, Orphan, Truck and other/miscellaneous. The top 20 crowd favorites get trophies. Organizers will give $100 cash to the best pre-World War Two and farthest-traveled entries.

The car show also features door prizes, food, and music by G-Man Entertainment. Enthusiasts can even get a framed photo of themselves with a favorite car.

Keep abreast of the weekend developments by running a Web search on Sault CVB or Sault Michigan Chamber of Commerce.