Courtesy Photo by Eugene Cambre Racers take off in the 2023 Fireside 500 marathon on Grand Lake. Races will be held Saturday and Sunday, starting from The Fireside Inn. Spectators are welcome at this free event.

PRESQUE ISLE — Presque Isle Yacht Club, in association with Top O’ Michigan Outboard Racing Club, presents the Fireside 500 Stock Outboard Race on Saturday and Sunday at The Fireside Inn.

Racing starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, featuring the Eastern Marathon Championships, Short Course, J Marathon, and Short Marathon. Awards will be presented at 5 p.m. Then on Sunday, racing starts at 10 a.m., featuring the Central Division Marathon, Short Course. Awards will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

These events are free to spectators and open to the public.

The Fireside 500 started in 2019. This will be the fifth year of the event, as it was paused during the pandemic.

Mike Bugenske, Dave Kowalski, and Terry McConnell of Presque Isle Yacht Club Events Inc. started the event, teaming up with Race Director Tom Fairbairn from Top O’ Michigan, and Alan McConnell and Lori VanSchoten of Fireside Inn.

“The racers love it, because they can come and keep their equipment on site, they can rent rooms and cabins, they can get their meals here, and they don’t have to drive miles and miles. It’s just the perfect setup. Grand Lake is the perfect lake to have it on.”

He said spectators will enjoy watching the race, as well. He encourages people to come out for the marathon, and other races.

“When they take off, the sound, it’s just awesome,” Bugenske said. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Fireside Inn is the place to be for spectators, he added. There will be food available, and plenty of fun for all ages.

The racers come from all over the Midwest. One racer might be in three or four events.

The weekend weather forecast is favorable so far, with 60s, sunny, and light wind, Bugenske said.

People should park on Grand Lake Road, and golf cart shuttles will be offered.

Kowalski is also the Presque Isle Harbor Wooden Boat Show chairman. That will take place on June 15 at Presque Isle Harbor, 5462 E. Grand Lake Road, Presque Isle. For more information about the 31st annual boat show, visit presqueisleharborwoodenboatshow.com.