JUNE NEWSLETTER
Summer is FINALLY HERE!
We hope you're summer is off to a great start! With warm weather finally here and weekends in full swing, it’s a wonderful reminder of how special our Port Austin community truly is. As the season ramps up, we’re here with a few important updates and reminders.
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS & JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Our Events & Calendar page remains one of the most-visited sections of the Chamber website, drawing strong traffic from both locals and visitors. If you're hosting a public event — workshops, live music, seasonal specials, or anything in between — send us the details to have it added to the calendar! It's a great way to get visibility through your membership.
We also want to remind members about the Job Bank on our website. If you're hiring, submit your job openings and details to be featured — it's another valuable benefit of your Chamber membership and helps connect you with local job seekers.
Send event and job info to: chamber@portaustinarea.com.
EVENT RECAP: 30th Annual Bocce Tournament
Held over two sunny days, the 30th Annual Bocce Tournament was a great success! This year featured improvements to the bracket system, resulting in smoother gameplay and a better experience for all participants. Live music on Day 2 added to the festive atmosphere, and fun was had by all.
A special thank-you to Judge Gerald Prill for once again serving as MC — his energy and professionalism always adds so much to the event. We also extend our gratitude to Port Austin State Bank for sponsoring the tournament.
Congratulations to Ace Hardware for taking 1st place (for the fourth year in a row!) and winning the $200 cash prize, and to Frank’s Party Store for a strong 2nd place finish. We’re already excited for next year!
FOURTH OF JULY – Parade & Fireworks
The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and we’re looking forward to another great parade and fireworks display!
Parade participants: Register your float online at: https://www.portaustinarea.com/parade-registration
Volunteers needed: We're looking for help from 11am to 1:30pm with parade check in and float direction. If interested, please contact the Village Clerk, Amanda Nienaltowski, or the Chamber.
Fireworks donations: The Port Austin Fireworks Committee is collecting donations for 2025 — and looking ahead to 2026, which marks the 250th birthday of the United States! Help us make it a celebration to remember. Donations can be mailed to:
Port Austin Fireworks Committee
P.O. Box 274, Port Austin, MI 48467
CARFEST UPDATE
After thoughtful discussion, the Chamber Board and Carfest volunteers have made the difficult decision to pause Carfest for 2025. With a busy summer and the likelihood of nearby construction impacting the event, we believe this is the best decision for this year. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to bringing Carfest back in 2026.
CHAMBER UPDATE: ED on Maternity Leave
Our Executive Director will begin maternity leave in the upcoming weeks. We kindly ask for our members’ patience as the Board navigates this period of time while our ED works a limited schedule.
Please continue to email updates, event information, and questions so we can keep things running smoothly and continue to support our members throughout the summer.
Thank you all for your continued involvement, support, and dedication to our Port Austin community. Let’s keep the summer momentum going strong!
