4th Annual Pipe Out Paddle Protest against Line 5, Water is Life Festival to be Sept. 1 in Mackinaw City

During the 2017 Pipe Out Paddle Protest, Native and non-Native water protectors gather near the Mackinac Bridge with their kayaks and canoes, display their banners and sing songs about the water. This year the event will take place Saturday, Sept. 1, followed by a Water is Life Festival, both in Mackinaw City. (2017 file photo © and courtesy Miguel Levy)*

MACKINAW CITY -- Two events to protest Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac and to celebrate the water will be held this Saturday, Sept. 1, in Mackinaw City.

The 4th Annual Pipe Out Paddle Protest against the Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 1, at Huron St. and Nicolet Ave. in Mackinaw City. A flotilla of dozens of kayaks and canoes will gather offshore from Mackinaw City, raising signs and calling for the shut down of Line 5. Bring your own kayak or rent one onsite. Please RSVP and see the schedule here -- and learn more about getting there, camping, and renting a kayak. This is a free, family-friendly event.

Water is Life Festival poster courtesy Oil and Water Don't Mix.

The Water is Life Festival will follow from noon to 6:30 p.m. at Conkling Heritage Park in Mackinaw City. Lunch will be served at noon, and then all will gather to celebrate water through music (Hip Hop, folk, and native musicians), poets, speakers on Nestle and Line 5 from Flint and Detroit, and also tribal leaders and elected officials. One of Michigan's favorite musicians, organizer Seth Bernard, is the emcee. Bring a chair or blanket for sitting in the grass and a water bottle to use at the hydration stations. This is a free, family-friendly event.

Click here to see the festival schedule and RSVP.

* Click here to see our article on the 2017 Pipe Out Paddle Protest in Mackinaw City.