South Channel Light Ready to Shine for One Night Only

The Save our South Channel Light organization (SOSCL) is inviting you to be part of history on Tuesday, August 7th for their Light the Night event.

Published Wednesday, August 1, 2012 7:00 am

by Save Our South Channel Light Organization (SOSCL)

The night skies over Lake St. Clair have been ominous since the South Channel Range Lights were decommissioned more than 100 years ago in 1907. But, on August 7^th, the lights will shine brightly in a fun filled evening of festivities.

The "Light the Night" event has already received backing from Congresswoman Candice Miller, as well as Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. The president of Save our South Channel Lights, Chuck Brockman, will be representing the keepers of the region’s heritage on Lake St. Clair, and has the honor of lighting the beacon.

Located at the southeastern tip of Harsens Island, the lighthouses were constructed in 1859, helping for years to guide the shipping industry through the delta that was once known as the Venice of America. Signs of wear quickly surfaced as the front light started to lean in 1875. It was dismantled and then rebuilt on the same crib that you can see today. The front light fared better over the years, but is now in need of major foundation work as a result of extensive erosion.

You can take part in the historic "Light the Night" event by joining SOSCL for an evening cruise on one of their cruise ships. Tickets for the event are available on the SOSCL website, www.soschannellights.org, through PayPal, or alternatively you can visit Little Camille’s by the Bay at 51083 Washington Street in New Baltimore, MI. The cruise ships will be moored at MacRay Harbor at 30675 North River Road in Harrison Township during a pre-event celebration which will include a meet and greet, silent auction, raffle, and snacks.

Two types of tickets are available for the cruise. A $75 ticket will include the pre-event, the cruise, entertainment, dinner, and a cash bar. A $50 ticket will include the pre-event, the cruise, entertainment, and cash bar. The cruise ships begin loading passengers at 6.30pm and will moor in the channel for the monumental moment where light pierces the night sky. The Clinton River cruise ship will be leading a boat parade through the channel and around Gull Island before the voyage back to shore.

Save Our South Channel Lights is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that was formed to accomplish this. The lights have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. With your help, we will pursue our efforts to preserve these remarkable pieces of Lake St. Clair history.

If any businesses would like to sponsor the event, please contact Rob Schoenmann at (586) 206-6580. There are three sponsorships available: