The forecast for Saturday is temperatures in the 60s and little chance of rain. And that makes it a perfect day to take part in Pictured Rocks-Yoopers Ride Free Day in Munising.

For the third straight year, Pictured Rocks Cruises will offer its Yoopers Ride Free event as part of Pictured Rocks Day, being celebrated at Munising’s Bayshore Park.

On the first such date in 2012, some 900 free rides were offered, according to a press release from Pictured Rocks Cruises. That number soared to 1,700 in 2013.

“Pictured Rocks Cruises invites all Upper Peninsula residents to come and enjoy a free boat cruise to view the beauty of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on June 14,” John Madigan, manager of the boat cruises, said in that press release.

Because so many people got on board with the idea, additional activities have been added to the celebration.

“After seeing the success of the promotion, we here at the Alger County Chamber of Commerce decided to add more activities for people to enjoy that day,” Kathy Reynolds, chamber executive director, said in the release.

Last year, the chamber of commerce conducted an inaugural Pictured Rocks Day in conjunction with the Yoopers Ride Free Day, with a combined total of more than 5,000 attendees.

The Pictured Rocks Day activities at the park will offer fun for everyone. Things start at 10 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m. On the schedule are bands, vendors, nature shows and stand-up paddleboard and kayak demonstrations.

For those unfamiliar with Munising, the park is located next to the Munising City Dock, across the street from the Pictured Rocks Cruises ticket office and gift shop.

Weather permitting, the cruises will head to the east of Munising along the base of the awe-inspiring Pictured Rocks Cliffs.

The tours will be offered hourly from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday from the Munising City Dock. Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to obtain your free ticket, you must present in person a photo identification with an Upper Peninsula address at the Pictured Rocks Cruise ticket office Saturday.

Children must be accompanied by a parent in the ticket office to receive a ticket. We hope many, many U.P. residents take advantage of what sounds like an amazing day of beauty views and great fun.

For more information about the free boat rides, visit the Pictured Rocks Cruises website at www.picturedrocks.com or call 800-650-2379.

Anyone wanting additional information on Pictured Rocks Day events can call the Alger County Chamber of Commerce at 387-2138 or visit www.algercounty.org for a complete schedule of events.