On Friday, a crowd came out for the juried arts and crafts show held at Courthouse Square, featuring a wide variety of vendors, food trucks, and entertainment by Rosco the Clown. The boisterous clown made balloon animals for children, cracking jokes that made both children and adults laugh.

“We love the Nautical Festival,” said Rogers City resident Deborah Simmons, who was selling her handmade knit and crocheted items at the arts and crafts show on Friday. “This is one of the best things that comes to Rogers City.”

She also loves knitting and crocheting.

“I’ve been knitting since I was 7, so probably about 60 years,” Simmons said. “And then I’ve been crocheting since I was 25.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Rosco the Clown makes balloon animals for a group of smiling children on Friday at the 2024 Nautical City Festival arts and crafts show in Rogers City. The arts and crafts show continues today and Sunday.

Her booth was filled with creative and whimsical soft toys for children of any age. Adults love them, too, she said.

“It keeps my hands busy,” she said. “It keeps my mind occupied. Since we’re retired, it gives us something to do, and gives us a little extra money to spend.”

Onaway residents Jackie Riddell and Holly McCrery were browsing the many booths at the craft show.

“I think it’s a good way to get community members together,” McCrery said of the Nautical City Festival. “I like to come over for the craft show.”

“I like to see what people have,” Riddell said. “This is the first time I’ve been here.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Samantha Basel and her daughters on Friday stroll through the aisles at the 2024 Nautical City Festival arts and crafts show in Rogers City. The Basel girls are Andi, 3, left, and Aubree, who turns 2 today.

Longtime married couple Brian and Julie Brooks enjoyed strolling through the arts and crafts show on Friday while wearing their matching Nautical City Festival T-shirts, both using walking sticks handcrafted by Brian Brooks.

“We come here to get some of our Christmas shopping done,” Julie Brooks said.

They enjoy coming to the Nautical City Festival to mingle and support local vendors while getting some shopping in.

“We like to see the small businesses succeed,” Brian Brooks said.

The couple was impressed with the craft show.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Deborah Simmons, of Rogers City, sits in her booth at the 2024 Nautical City Festival arts and crafts show in Rogers City. Simmons enjoys knitting and crocheting soft toys and other items, available at her booth at the arts and crafts show which continues today and Sunday.

“We have a lot of vendors here this year,” Julie Brooks noted.

“A good variety,” Brian Brooks added.

The couple will be married 50 years in February.

“Fifty years of wedded bliss,” Brian Brooks said, stating that their anniversary is Feb. 15.

“We love to come here and see the parades,” Julie Brooks said. “They’re going to have the grand parade” at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. “They just had the kiddie parade. Gee, they were great.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Onaway residents Jackie Riddell, left, and Holly McCrery on Friday enjoy the 2024 Nautical City Festival arts and crafts show in Rogers City.

“We love the fest,” Brian Brooks added.

The arts and craft show continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Many other activities are happening today and Sunday at the Nautical City Festival, including an antique and classic car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westminster Park, followed by a 3 p.m. cruise through town and a strawberry shortcake and ice cream social at the Westminster Presbyterian Church grounds. A used book sale happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rogers City branch of the Presque Isle District Library, 181 E. Erie St.

Carnival rides and games by Native Amusements will be offered from noon to 10 p.m. today and Sunday.

For a full list of events, see this week’s Community Calendar at TheAlpenaNews.com or visit rogerscitynauticalcityfestival.com to view and print a schedule of events.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Married couple Julie and Brian Brooks enjoy strolling through the arts and crafts show at the 2024 Nautical City Festival in Rogers City. The couple will be married 50 years in February. They have fun wearing their matching Nautical City Festival T-shirts, both using walking sticks handcrafted by Brian Brooks.