ST. IGNACE - Michigan is throwing a 50th anniversary party for the Mackinac Bridge - and we're all invited.

The world's 10th longest suspension bridge, the five-mile-long Mighty Mac was opened to vehicular traffic on Nov. 1, 1957.

Now 50 years later, since the weather at that time of year probably won't be ideal for celebrants to watch a parade and fireworks and listen to outdoor speeches, the State of Michigan wisely decided to hold the event in the summer of 2007.

The 50th anniversary events will start with a ceremony honoring the bridge's designer and chief engineer, David Steinman at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 26 and culminate with a fireworks display over the Straits of Mackinac on Saturday evening, July 28. In between there are classic cars, a parade, a birthday cake, speeches, the unveiling of a statue, and various iron worker demonstrations.