Sault Ste. Marieis a city in, and thecounty seatof,Chippewa Countyin theU.S. stateofMichigan.It is situated on the northeastern end of Michigan'sUpper Peninsula, on theCanada–US border, and separated from its twin city ofSault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by theSt. Marys River. The city, meaning"the Rapids of Saint Mary'' in French, people come from around the world to view shipping traffic pass through the locks.Sault Ste. Marie is also the home of theInternational 500Snowmobile Race (commonly called the I-500), which takes place annually and draws participants and spectators from all over the U.S. and Canada. The race, which was inspired by theIndianapolis 500,originated in 1969 and has been growing ever since.