Venetian Festival Sails Back to the Nautical Mile

The Venetian Festival returns to the Nautical Mile this weekend activities for foodies, athletes and families.

Events this weekend include:

• Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday night with the annual Car Cruise and Bike Night. Cruise headquarters will be at Mastro’s Ice Cream, and will feature music by a WRIF on-air personality with live call-ins, a raffle and prizes with proceeds to benefit the Save Our South Channel Lights Organization.  

• The Kolping Center will host Charity Casino Nights at the Kolping Center on Jefferson Avenue. All proceeds will go to Wigs 4 Kids.
• The annual Shores-Pointes Adventure Triathlon, with a kayak, run and bicycle competition starts at 7 a.m. Saturday at Blossom Heath Park.
• Free sno-cones and cotton candy, pirate bounce house, interactive tee-ball, basketball challenge and boom blasters kid’s midway games from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday at Mastro’s Ice Cream.
  
• Dinghy Poker Run starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ken’s Gas Dock, Michigan Harbor Marina.
  
• Detroit Artist Association will be displaying their works from noon - 8 p.m. Saturday on the south side of Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales.
  
• Live entertainment with Ray Fogg from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Saturday in a big tent behind Rojo’s Mexican Bistro.
  
• Venetian Night of Lights in the Marinas, a decorated boat lighting competition, will be from 8 - 10 p.m. Saturday at Harbor 9 Marina, Emerald City Marina, Jefferson Beach Marina, Miller  Marina and Shore Club Marina.
  
• Festivities conclude at 8 a.m. Sunday with a sunrise service with the Reverend Jill Wrubel at the Jefferson Beach Marina Gazebo.

For more information call (586) 777-8300 or visit www.nauticalmile.org.