- Coast Guard Festival
-
Coast Guard Festival is a festival in Grand Haven, Michigan. Founded in 1924, the festival is a ten-day event that starts in the last weekend in July, and ends in early August. Over 350,000 people attend the festival, including the nation's highest-ranking United States Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, DC. The focus of the annual festival is to honor the Coast Guard and those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country.[1]
Contents
History
The Festival unofficially began in 1924 as a Coast Guard personnel only picnic when the local Coast Guard station held rowing competitions for those service members stationed in Grand Haven. The first festival began in 1937.[1] Grand Haven was named "Coast Guard City, USA" by an Act of Congress and signed by the President of the United States on November 13, 1998.[2]
Events
The 2010 event list is below.[3]
Friday, July 30
- Lighthouse Quilt Guild Show
Saturday, July 31
- Tri Cities YMCA Coast Guard Run
- Lighthouse Quilt Guild Show
- Kids Parade
Sunday, August 1
- Cruise in Car Show
- Grand Haven Rotary Pancake Breakfast
- Coast Guard Festival Bicycle Tour
- Worship on the Waterfront
Monday, August 2
- USCG Ships Arrivals
- Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
- Scottville Clown Band
Tuesday, August 3
- Kids Day
- Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
- Downtown Carnival
- Grand City Skiers
- Youth Ambassador Program
- Street Dance
Wednesday, August 4
- Coastie Softball Tournament
- Downtown Carnival
- Coast Guard Retirees Dinner
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Big Band Series
Thursday, August 5
- Coast Guard Reunion Breakfast
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Downtown Carnival
- Tri-Cities Dinner
- Let's Hang On
Friday, August 6
- Coast Guard Craft Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- USCG Auxiliary Memorial Service
- Walk of Coast Guard History
- Downtown Carnival
- National Coast Guard Memorial Service
- A Salute to Heroes Featuring the USO Liberty Bells
Saturday, August 7
- Coast Guard Craft Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Meijer Grand Parade
- Downtown Carnival
- Grand Finale Featuring 3 Men and a Tenor and the Spartan Dischords
- Firework Extravaganza
Sunday, August 8
- Worship on the Waterfront
Board of directors
Executive Committee
- Bill Herbst- Chair
- Jeff Bradbury- Executive Vice Chair
- Karen Little- Operational Vice Chair
- Mike Poort- Operational Vice Chair
- Dawn Davis-Secretary
- Joy Gaasch- Treasurer
- Don Rempinski- Member at Large
Board of Directors
- Joni Bennett
- Bill Boonstra
- Ken Bordua
- Fred Bruhn
- Matt Butler
- Andy Cawthon
- Brent Ewing
- Terry Grotemat
- Dan Guzek
- Kristen Klemel
- Jim Query
- Nichol Stack
- Lisa Stoner
- Rich Yonker
Advisors
CDR. M.J Smith, USCG (Retired)- Executive Director
Madonna Kramer- Director of Marketing& Fund Development
Sponsors
Title Sponsors
Event Sponsors
-JSJ Corporation
-Commercial Contractors
References
Categories:- Festivals in Michigan
- Visitor attractions in Ottawa County, Michigan
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