Friends of the St. Clair River start new fundraiser

McKenna Golat, Port Huron Times Herald
·2 min read
Entrance to the Port Huron Yacht Club on March 28, 2023. The yacht club will be the venue for River Bash, a fundraiser created by the Friends of the St. Clair River.
Entrance to the Port Huron Yacht Club on March 28, 2023. The yacht club will be the venue for River Bash, a fundraiser created by the Friends of the St. Clair River.

The Friends of the St. Clair River group is inviting the community out for a night of fun to raise money for the environment.

Sheri Faust, president of the group, said the new event is about coming together with community to protect, celebrate and restore the rivers, parks and trails of St. Clair County. She said River Bash is meant to be a more intimate benefit than the group’s other fundraiser, Sturgeon Fest.

“Whether you’re a longtime supporter, or simply want to know more about our work, River Bash will be the perfect opportunity to learn how we’re making a positive impact across the watershed,” Faust said.

The event will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 13 at the Port Huron Yacht Club, 212 Quay St. in Port Huron. Tickets cost $40 and seats are limited to 125 people.

Tickets can be found on the Friends of the St. Clair River website.

Faust said the yacht club was chosen as the venue because its centrally located and near a water source. Commodore Tyson Connolly said he and the rest of the yacht club are looking forward to the event.

“We’re extremely excited to host this event,” Connolly said. “The yacht club loves to be involved in good causes for the community and this certainly is one of them.”

River Bash will have music provided by Max Schwanz, a cash bar and a buffet provided by Doña Marina’s. Silent auctions with prizes such as a disc golf set, a sturgeon fishing charter cruise, a beekeeping experience and more.

Additionally, Mike Wendling, St. Clair County prosecutor and owner of the Centennial Pines Tree Farm, will be a key-note speaker at the event. Faust said he talk about conservation and sustainability practices. Faust will also give a state of the watershed address.

“We want it to be a festive, light atmosphere that’s all about celebrating our rivers, trails and parks,” Faust said.

Although the event schedule ends at 7:30 p.m., Faust said there will be an after-event activity for people to enjoy. She said a conservation conversation afterglow will take place at the cash bar where people can enjoy each other’s company.

Sturgeon Fest, the Friends of the St. Clair River’s next fundraiser, will take place on June 3.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: River Bash is the new fundraiser for Friends of the St. Clair River