Sunset viewing is one of the most popular and affordable pastimes for families and individuals, especially along Little Traverse Bay, with its "Million Dollar Sunsets." From purple to deep pink, bright orange and soft yellow, myriad colors light up the sky each clear evening at sunset time. So it's only natural that Festival on the Bay includes a celebration of those spectacular evening displays.

The Celebration of the Sunset is held on both Friday and Saturday nights of the Festival beginning at 7 pm each evening. Highlighting the celebration on Friday, August 20 will be the annual performance by the highly regarded Petoskey Steel Drum Band. The band will perform in the Entertainment Tent area beginning at 7 pm. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, as seating will be limited for the large crowd expected for this show.

Along the midway each night, enjoy a variety of acts presented by many of our area's talented performers. Tommy Tropic, juggler extraordinaire will entertain both nights from 7 to 9 pm. The Keweenaw Star, part of Keweenaw Excursions of Charlevoix, will be offering boat cruises on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm during Festival on the Bay. These rides are available for $15 for adults, $7 for children 12 and under and children under 5 free. Cruises will be one hour long. Tickets available at the Petoskey Regional Chamber at (231) 347-4150.

Martina, an amazing speed artist will do a demonstration of her work at 8:30 pm each night. Mark Hamilton of Highland Trading Company will perform over the weekend with his bagpipes. In addition, expect other performers and more to entertain everyone from the young to the young at hear.

Food vendors will also be serving a variety of dinner and snack options along the promenade during the Celebration of the Sunset until 9 pm.

Finally, Mother Nature will provide the grand finale at 8:45 pm on Friday and 8:45 pm on Saturday. Festival organizers guarantee that the sun will set at those times, but they street that viewing conditions might vary depending on the weather.

The Celebration of the Sunset is sponsored by Meijer and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Bay Harbor’s 4th Annual Bow Wow - A dog show for all breeds!
Sunday, August 15, 2010 (this is the weekend before Festival on the Bay)!

From Shelties to schnauzers, poodles to Pinschers, the third annual Bay Harbor Bow Wow will be a fetching addition to the weekend events surrounding Petoskey’s Festival on the Bay.

The canine occasion, a benefit for the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15, with a dog social hour and registration. At 11 a.m., the dog parade begins in the Village at Bay Harbor. Immediately following the parade will be further dog contests, awards, outdoor food vendors and prizes. Awards will be given for best in weight class (toy-15 pounds, 15-29 pounds, 30-50 pounds, and 51-plus pounds), best trick and best dressed. Prizes are donated by local merchants and in the past have ranged from designer dog collars and bowls to doggie life jackets.

Organizers are expecting up to 100 dogs to attend the event with their families — and some even come to the party dressed up. Registration is by donation of $12 per dog by Aug. 15, or $15 per dog on the day of the event. Checks can be made payable to the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, 1300 W. Conway Road, Harbor Springs, MI. 49740. For more information, please call 231-439-2000.

If you'd like to enter your furry friend, click here for a registration form.

Awards:

• Best in Weight Class
• Best Trick
• Best Dressed

Divisions for Best in Weight Class:

• Toy - 15 lbs.
• 15-29 lbs.
• 30-50 lbs.
• 51+ lbs.