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]
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]
Events
The 2012 event list is below.[3]
Friday, July 27
- Lighthouse Quilt Guild
Saturday, July 28
- Tri Cities Family YMCA Coast Guard Run
- Lighthouse Quilt Guild
- Kids Parade
- Red Carpet Photos
- Free Hotdog Lunch
- Playing Out Loud
- Volunteer Dinner
- Hometown Idol
Sunday, July 29
- Cruise in Car Show
- Grand Haven Rotary Pancake Breakfast
- Coast Guard Festival Bicycle Tour
- Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic
- Worship on the Waterfront
Monday, July 30
- USCG Ships Arrivals
- Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
- Annabelle Road
Tuesday, July 31
- Coast Guard Golf Tournament
- Kids Day
- Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
- Downtown Carnival
- Grand City Skiers
- Street Dance
Wednesday, August 1
- Coastie Softball Tournament
- Senior Day
- Downtown Carnival
- Coast Guard Retirees Dinner
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
Thursday, August 2
- Coast Guard Softball Tournament
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Downtown Carnival
- Tri-Cities Dinner
- The Company Men
Friday, August 3
- Coast Guard Spouses Breakfast
- Coast Guard Softball Championship Game
- Coast Guard Craft Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- USCG Auxiliary Memorial Service
- Walk of Coast Guard History
- Downtown Carnival
- Welcoming Reception
- National Coast Guard Memorial Service
- Coast Guard Enlisted Dinner
- Don Middlebrook and Living Soul
Saturday, August 4
- Coast Guard Craft Fair
- Ship Tours at Escabana Park
- Meijer Grand Parade
- Downtown Carnival
- A Salute to Heroes Featuring the USO Liberty Bells
- Fireworks Extravaganza
Sunday, August 8
- 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
Sponsors
Title Sponsors
References
Coordinates: 43°3′47″N 86°13′42″W / 43.06306°N 86.22833°W
www.coastguardfest.org https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Haven-Coast-Guard-Festival-Official-FB-Page/128224850560478 https://twitter.com/CoastGdFestival