Home of the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival

Barker’s Island is the site for the 8th annual Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival.

The Barker’s Island boat launch, swimming beach, and fishing platform will be closed Friday and Saturday in order to conduct the festival, headquartered on Barker’s Island. The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival is free and open to the public.

While foot traffic is welcome, vehicular traffic onto the island will be limited in view of Dragon Boat festivities. Barker’s Island Inn, Barker’s Island Marina, the Ship’s Store, and Charter Fishing operations will all be open and available to the public, as well as the SS Meteor, the Vista Fleet, Captain AJ’s Miniature Golf, and the island shops located on the northwest end.

Motorists are urged to exercise caution along the East Second Street corridor this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, the speed limit will be reduced to 25 miles per hour from Belknap Street to 18th Avenue East, and pedestrians will be allowed to cross East Second Street at Belknap Street or Ninth Avenue East. Members of the Superior Police Auxiliary will be present in the area to assist with pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow.

Public parking is restricted on Barker’s Island for the festival. A free shuttle to the Dragon Boat Festival will operate from Mariner Mall on North 28th Street and Hill Avenue parking lot. The shuttle will be available on the south side of the mall, adjacent to Ember’s Restaurant from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Citizens are encouraged to park at the mall and use the free shuttle due to congestion in the festival area; however, they are asked to avoid parking near the theaters or Iron River Sports.

Tags: dragon boats, news, superior