Spirit of the Sault

09/09/2026

Last night the City Commission approved the proposed purchase of the first round of new Christmas decor! This season, you’ll find these 6.5ft tall lit pole mounts on every corner in the previously decorated district downtown. The rest of the poles will continue to don the familiar wreaths and bows that are still in usable condition from years past.

Thank you to the DDA (Downtown) for allocating funds towards this project this year and to the Sault CVB for their generous donation as well! And thank you to Tyler Perron at the City Street Department for helping carry this through. We’re going to be 1-2 pole mounts short with the budget but Spirit of the Sault will supplement the difference this year so every corner is complete.

Keep an eye out as our fundraising efforts ramp up this fall and holiday season! 🌲❄️

08/13/2026

We know the last thing anyone wants to do is think about winter in the midst of summer 🙃 but that's what we're doing around here! ❄

Just wanted to share some updates on Christmas decor for the upcoming season -

* We thought we'd need volunteers but the city street department completed a thorough inventory of all current holiday decor (thank you!), including garland, bows, and wreaths. About 1/3 of the current inventory is weathered and wouldn't be usable for the upcoming seasons.

* The Sault DDA voted in April to contribute $25,000 towards the purchase of new holiday decor! So thankful this was an acknowledged and agreed-upon need for the upcoming seasons so we can begin to rebuild an inviting and festive experience for those coming to the Sault during the holiday season.

* The Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau generously allocated $6,000 to the holiday decor efforts as well! Thank you CVB!

* The Sault Street Department has been very open to new ideas for holiday decor! The current concept of garland, bows, and wreaths does not seem to be the most sustainable option. If we replaced what was damaged this year, we know we will inevitably need to replace the rest within the next few years. So we're taking this opportunity to explore a new design concept altogether. We're looking at winter-themed lighted pole mounts for all of the usually-decorated areas on Portage and Ashmun. And instead of garland wrapping the poles (it's in rough shape & time-consuming to accomplish), we'd like to explore light strands with the possibility of them being color-changing and customizable for different holidays throughout the year.

* Spirit of the Sault has a small allocation of funds from our brief effort after last holiday season and will be ramping up fundraising efforts this fall. In order to accomplish the type of change we'd like to see, we know this will likely be a few-year/ongoing process, adding and updating more decor each year and hopefully expanding into seasons and holidays beyond Christmas.

It became very apparent last season there is a strong desire to keep the Sault looking nice - and moving the needle forward each year and not slipping backwards. Your support for the beautification and pride of the Sault means so much! And we would invite you to donate and share our non-profit link through the Chippewa County Community Foundation if you feel so inclined.

Looking forward to what we can all accomplish together! 🎄

Mission StatementOur mission is to enhance the beauty, character, and vibrancy of our downtown district by raising funds to create welcoming, memorable…

02/06/2026

Update: It seems like we’ll be looking at March or later before we’re able to do a more thorough inventory of Christmas decor. When the time comes, we’d very much welcome volunteers to assist! We were able to obtain quotes from a few years ago the City obtained when it was looking at replacing some wreaths, bows, and garland. This at least gives us a ballpark figure for fundraising efforts as we move forward.

Very happy to see racing flags on the poles for I-500 season! 🏁 Year-round decor is the goal!

12/19/2025

Thank you Soo Leader & Jim Lehocky for choosing to highlight our downtown initiatives! 🎄

'It was almost like an outcry,' says Prim Aesthetics manager Meghan Hanna, who recently founded a nonprofit initiative in response to growing concerns about the state of downtown decor and vibrancy

12/18/2025

Our first volunteer opportunity will come early 2026 when we assess & inventory current Christmas decor so we can have a solid game plan for next year.

Stay tuned for that date, coming soon!

A new community effort called 'Spirit of the Sault' aims to enhance downtown vibrancy in Sault Ste. Marie, initiated by local business owner Meghan Hanna.

12/12/2025

We can't thank the Chippewa County Community Foundation enough for their help in getting this project underway so quickly! You rock! Our donation page is officially live through this QR code (and will be live on the CCCF's website later today). Donations go directly to the non-profit Spirit of the Sault account and are tax-deductible.

All funds will be allocated to downtown decor in the upcoming years, with next year's Christmas taking top priority!

Thank you to the City for being receptive of outside help on this and thank you everyone for your enthusiasm in efforts to move Downtown Sault forward!🎄

Please share if you feel inclined.

12/12/2025

12/12/2025

I’ve been in business in downtown Sault for almost 5 years now. Throughout those years, we’ve suffered from a lack of consistent designated leadership. To those on the outside, that might not seem very important. But for anyone who doesn’t know, conducting business in a downtown district is quite niche. There isn’t the attraction of big box stores and rarely is it a place you visit out of sheer necessity. Downtowns carry the history, character, charisma, and heart of those they serve. They are a destination. And I love our’s.

I love the expansive waterfront and the kissing of old brick buildings. I love the potential. But most of all I love and respect the people who tackle the challenge of setting up shop here. And the reality is, for us dreamers, if our destination isn’t visually appealing, we miss out. We miss opportunities. We want you to think of us when deciding where to have dinner, where to wander streets, where to grab coffee, where to spend your Saturday, or when you might just need a pick-me-up atmosphere.

For the past several years, we’ve had to take initiative as individual business owners to keep the spirit of downtown alive. I think I can speak for all of us when I say it’s been hard to trust anyone but ourselves. But we’re not giving up the fight or the hope for better days ahead.

With help from our friends at the Chippewa County Community Foundation, the Spirit of the Sault is a new independent initiative formed out of a desire for beautification; for our downtown streets to reflect the vibrancy of all the businesses and organizations who call it home. Our mission is to be that destination.

Our first order of business is finalizing the appropriate fundraising avenues with the CCCF so our operations are protected and completely transparent. With a blessing from the City, our plan is to begin with an inventory of current downtown decor, an education on decorating processes and resources required, and a strategy to make a positive long-lasting impact. When it's all squared away with the CCCF, we will be set to accept monetary donations for those who feel compelled to do so and will gladly welcome generous volunteers for occasions throughout the year.

We have heard your voices wondering about holiday decor, your words of willingness to help, your shared desire for downtown to be what we all know it could be. And honestly, I’m so glad you noticed and so glad you spoke up. Because it means you care. And to us – that’s everything!
.. stay tuned.... - MH