Every year, the Soo Locks close for a brief period of wintertime maintenance. The reopening of the locks marks the start of a new shipping season and is cause for celebration among boatnerds. This reopening typically occurs at midnight on March 25, though various factors can impact this schedule. If you’re planning to be in the Soo for this, here are the primary ways to get involved:

Watch the Opening of the Locks
– Members of the general public are invited to watch the first ship go through the locks from the viewing platform in the Soo Locks Park
– The Soo Locks Park will be open for special viewing hours from 11:30 pm on March 24 to 1:30 am on March 25.*
– You do not need to be an SLVCA member to attend.

Attend the Open House
– The Visitors Center will be open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on March 25* for a special open house. Guests are welcome to drop by and enjoy light refreshments.
– You do not need to be an SLVCA member to attend.

Attend the SLVCA Member Reception
– The SLVCA is hosting a special member reception in the Visitors Center from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on March 24.*
– Attendees can expect snacks, punch, and light sandwiches, along with the opportunity to mingle with special VIP guests.
– You must be a current SLVCA member to attend; members are permitted to bring one guest.
– The deadline to RSVP for this event is March 16; please RSVP for yourself and your guest (if applicable) using the form below.

Enter the Drawing to Greet the First Ship
– Current SLVCA members are invited to enter a drawing to join a select party to greet the captain and crew of the first ship through the locks.
– The winning names will be drawn during a Facebook livestream from the Soo Locks Visitors Center on March 6.
– The first-place winner receives the opportunity to walk across the locks with the board to participate in the annual greeting ceremony and will also receive overnight accommodation at the Super 8 in Sault Ste. Marie for the evening of March 24* and a Great Lakes themed gift basket; this prize is not transferrable.
– Two alternate names will be drawn as back ups and will also receive gift baskets (pick up only).
– You must be a current SLVCA member to participate; if you are not currently a member, you must join prior to entering.
– The deadline to RSVP for this event is February 28; please enter using the form below.
– By entering the drawing, you confirm that you meet the following criteria and agree to the terms:

The Fine Print

• Winner must be 18 years of age or older.

• Winner must be able to walk up to a quarter mile, travel up and down steps, and potentially climb a ladder if invited to board the ship.

• Winner must wear PPE provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and adhere to safety instructions.

• Greeting may take place anytime from the afternoon of the 24th right up until midnight or later, depending on when the first ship arrives.*

• Board members of the SLVCA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Employees at the Soo Locks are ineligible for this drawing.

*Time and date of the greeting may change if the lock opening date changes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works hard to keep everyone informed.
If you have other questions that haven’t been addressed above, feel free to drop us a line using the contact form on this page.