CEDAR RIVER — West Shore Fishing Museum has canceled its Ice Cream Social scheduled for Sunday, September 5, due to the rising COVID cases in the region. The museum will remain open as usual on Saturday and Sunday afternoons through September 5. The raffle drawing will be held at 3 p.m. at the museum on September 5, but there will be no food served and no live music.

This cancellation is a serious impact on fund raising. The event netted up to $3,000, which would have been allocated to the new building fund. A 1,564 square foot addition to the Welcome Center is planned to house badly needed display and meeting space, and office for archival storage and research, and two unisex restrooms.

The building fund currently stands at nearly $50,000. The first goal is to reach $80,000 in order to construct the building over the already existing foundation. Inflated building materials costs put this out of reach this year. Once that is done, volunteers can begin working on some of the interior work. The total fundraising target is $150,000. Donations of any amount can be sent to Bailey Property Preservation Association, Inc. (BPPA) in care of Patricia Cheski, N2490 State Highway M-35, Menominee, Michigan 49858.

West Shore Fishing Museum displays one of the most complete collections of commercial fishing boats and equipment in the region. A stop on the Great Lakes Heritage Fishing Trail, it is among the most important commercial fishing museums in Michigan. In addition to fishing displays, visitors can enjoy a Victorian home, nature trails, and beautiful gardens and grounds. It is located on the north end of Bailey Park on M-35 north of Menominee.