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 3,000,000 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]
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] In August 1971 it was officially recognized as Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc. as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. 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]
The event was cancelled from 1942 to 1945 because of World War II & 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was to blame.
Events
The 2021 event list is below.[3]
Friday, 23 July
- Lighthouse Quilt Guild
- Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band
Saturday, 24 July
- Tri Cities Family YMCA Coast Guard Run
- Lighthouse Quilt Guild
- Kids Parade
- Cardboard Boat Race
- Hotel California - Eagles Tribute Band
Sunday, 25 July
- Cruise in Car Show
- Flea Market
- Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic
- Worship on the Waterfront
Monday, 26 July
- USCG Ships Arrivals
- Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
- Festival Idol
Tuesday, 27 July
- Coast Guard Golf Tournament
- Kids Day
- Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
- Downtown Carnival
- Grand City Skiers
- Street Dance
Wednesday, 28 July
- Coast Guard Softball Tournament
- Senior Day
- Downtown Carnival
- Veterans Resource Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Coast Guard Retirees Dinner
- Red Carpet Photos
- Waterball Competition
- British Legend - Elton John & Rod Stewart Tribute
Thursday, 29 July
- Coast Guard Softball Tournament
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Downtown Carnival
- Heroes and Legends Dinner
- Neil Diamond and Tom Jones Tribute
Friday, 30 July
- Coast Guard Spouses Breakfast
- Coast Guard Softball Championship Game
- Coast Guard Craft Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Walk of Coast Guard History
- Downtown Carnival
- Welcoming Reception
- National Coast Guard Memorial Service
- Coast Guard Enlisted Dinner
Saturday, 31 July
- Coast Guard Craft Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Meijer Grand Parade
- Downtown Carnival
- Fireworks Extravaganza
Sunday, 1 August
- Worship on the Waterfront
Board of directors
Executive Committee
- Andy Cawthon- Chair
- Jeff Bradbury- Executive Vice Chair
- Mike Poort- Operational Vice Chair
- Joni Bennett- Operational Vice Chair
- Dawn Davis-Secretary
- Joy Gaasch- Treasurer
Board of Directors
- Ken Bordua
- Fred Bruhn
- Matt Butler
- Terry Grotemat
- Dan Guzek
- Jeff Hawk
- Bill Herbst
- Scott Klaassen
- Kristen Klemel
- Dana Kollewehr
- Karen Little
- Jim Query
- Don Rempinski
- Nichol Stack
- Lisa Stoner
Advisors
CDR. M.J Smith, USCG (Retired)- Executive Director
Madonna Kramer- Director of Marketing& Fund Development
References
www.coastguardfest.org https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Haven-Coast-Guard-Festival-Official-FB-Page/128224850560478 https://www.coastguardfest.org/events/