A ribbon cutting ceremony is being held Friday, to celebrate the grand opening of the Rockport State Recreation Area.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division is hosting the event to celebrate Michigan’s newest state recreation area.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is being held at 10 a.m., at Rockport’s boat launch area, north of Alpena.

Members of the newly formed volunteer group, Friends of Rockport/Besser Natural Area, will host events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, to acquaint visitors with the many points of interest within the new recreation area.  Those events include a hands-on intro to fishing program and wagon rides to sinkholes and other parts of the park.  Boat tours around Middle Island will leave from the boat launch.

Guest speakers will lead tours and discuss fossils, birding, coastal habitats and other natural habitats.  Saturday’s activities take place at the south end of the park near the boat launch area and at the north end of the park at the Besser Natural Area.