The U.S. Coastguard Mackinaw (WLBB-30) makes it way through the Grand Haven Channel for the annual Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich. on Monday, July 27, 2015. The Mackinaw based out of Cheboygan, Mich. is the U.S. Coast Guard's only heavy icebreaker in the Great Lakes and was designed to provide multi-mission capabilities with state of the art systems (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)
Justine McGuire
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival 2017
The 93rd annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival will honor men and women serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, veterans and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while fulfilling their motto "SEMPER PARATUS" (Always Ready).
The family-friendly festival will take place Friday, July 28-Sunday, Aug. 6, in the Grand Haven area. The festival attracts about 350,000 attendees.
Grand Haven was recognized as the first Coast Guard City, USA, by an act of U.S. Congress in 1998.
Skiers wave after completing a three tier pyramid during the Grand City Skiers water ski show as part of the Coast Guard Festival at Waterfront Stadium in downtown Grand Haven on July 30, 2013. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Waterfront Stage
The Lake Trust Credit Union Waterfront Stage provides nightly entertainment throughout Coast Guard Festival. A string of tribute bands will play during the week bringing the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Journey and more.
Admission for most events is $10 or less. Tickets are available online.
- 8 p.m., Friday, July 28: Natural Wonder - A Stevie Wonder tribute band ($10)
- 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 29: Cardboard Boat Race (free)
- 8 p.m., Saturday, July 29: Captured Detroit - A Journey tribute band ($10)
- 7 p.m., Sunday, July 30: Worship on the Waterfront (free)
- 7 p.m., Monday, July 31: Festival Idol ($5, children 5 and under are free)
- 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1: Grand City Skiers ($5)
- 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2: Lakeshore Big Band ($5)
- 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3: Toppermost Beatles - A Beatles tribute ($10)
- 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 4: Who's Bad - A Michael Jackson tribute ($10)
- 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5: Face to Face - An Elton John and Billy Joel tribute ($20, reserve seating)
- 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 6: Worship on the Waterfront (free)
People watch from the shade of trees as the USCGC Mackinaw docks at Escanaba Park during the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival's Parade of Ships in 2009. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Tri-cities Family YMCA Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Run
The annual Tri-cities Family YMCA Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Run is set for Saturday, July 29. The event offers something for everyone in the family from its Tot Trot Obstacle Course to a 10K run.
Registration is available online, or onsite on Friday evening, July 28, or Saturday morning. Register and find more information here.
Race schedule:
- 7:30 a.m. – 5K Run/Walk
- 8:30 a.m. – 10K Run
- 8:45 a.m. – 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk
- 9:15 a.m. – Tot Trot Obstacle Course
- 10 a.m. – Awards ceremony
Race pricing:
- Individual 5K or 10K: $30 through July 26 and $35 after July 26
- Family of up to four, 5K or 10K: $65
- 1 Mile Fun Run (no t-shirt): $5
- 1 Mile Fun Run (with t-shirt): $13
- Tot Trot Obstacle Course (ages 3-6): free
Members of the Scottville Clown Band make their way down South Fifth Street during the Coast Guard Festival Grand Parade on Aug. 3, 2013, in downtown Grand Haven. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Parades
Coast Guard Festival doesn't skimp when it comes to parades.
The annual Kid's Parade will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29. The parade route makes a loop of downtown starting at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Fifth Street. The parade will proceed northwest on Franklin, turn right onto First Street and then right on Washington Avenue. A final right will be made onto Fifth Street to complete the loop.
The big parade, the Meijer Grand Parade, takes place at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5. The parade begins at the corner of Sheldon Road and Colfax Avenue, and marches north to continue onto Fifth Street. The parade then takes a left onto Franklin Avenue, followed by a right onto Third Street and another right onto Washington Avenue. The final turn is a right onto Seventh Street to end the parade near Lakeshore Middle School.
The two-hour grand parade lines the streets with nearly 100,000 people. Spectators are encouraged to mark viewing spots along the parade route using blankets, caution tape, golf tees and chairs beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 (Friday night).
The parade procession drives through downtown Grand Havenat the Coast Guard Festival Parade celebrating the 225th birthday of the US Coast Guard on Saturday, August 1, 2015, in Grand Haven, Mich. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Community meals
The first weekend of Coast Guard Festival offers three community meal options.
A free hot dog lunch will take place at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, in the park area at the intersection of South Harbor Drive and Washington Avenue.
The Grand Haven Rotary Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m.-noon on Sunday, July 30, at Chemical Bank, 333 Washington Ave.
The Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at Coast Guard Park, 18161 N. Shore Road in Ferrysburg.
Scenes from the cardboard boat races at the 2016 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich. (Erin Lefevre | MLive.com)
Justine McGuire
Cardboard Boat Race
The Cardboard Boat Races are a silly festival favorite for all ages of competitors and spectators to enjoy.
The races are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 29, at the Lake Trust Credit Union Waterfront Stage. The races take place along 200-yards of seawall. There are two classes or racers (ages 10-15 and 16 and up). Races are limited to 20 boats.
The Buoy Class is for youth, ages 10-15. The Cutter Class is open to anyone age 16 and older. Two-person and three- to eight-person vessels are allowed.
Prizes categories include fastest time, Fleet Award, Iceberg Award and People's Choice. The Fleet Award is for the best themed boat. The Iceberg Award is for the "best sinking." Boats will be on display from 12:30-1:30 p.m. for People's Choice voting.
For more information and to register, click here.
The hood ornament of a 1931 Buick at the Coast Guard Festival Cruise-in Car Show on Washington Avenue downtown Grand Haven. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Cruise-in Car Show
Grand Haven welcomes antique, classic, vintage, muscle, street rod, Tin Lizzy and any other favorite car to its Cruise-In Car Show from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, on Washington Avenue from Harbor Drive to Fourth Street.
Awards, chosen by Coast Guard personnel, Coast Guard Festival Committee, and trophy sponsors, will be given out at 1:30 p.m.
People shop for purses at a flea market in Grand Haven. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Flea Market
The Coast Guard Festival Flea Market will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, on Seventh Street between Washington and Columbus avenues.
Guardsman Borg gives a guided tour of the Morro Bay, a docked U.S. Coast Guard ship that is visiting for the annual Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich. (Erin Lefevre | MLive.com)
Justine McGuire
Ship Tours
Festivalgoers can watch five U.S. Coast Guard ships arrive at Grand Haven's Escanaba Park around 1 p.m. Monday, July 31. Anywhere from the end of the boardwalk to Escanaba Park will be a prime spot from which to view the ships' arrival.
The Grand Haven South Pier is closed for repairs until October.
USCGC Mackinaw, USCGC Alder, USCGC Bristol Bay, USCGC Biscayne Bay, and CCGC Constable Carriere will be docked in Grand Haven during the festival.
Free ship tours will be available daily at Escanaba Park from Monday, July 31, to Saturday, Aug. 5. Here's the schedule:
- Monday, July 31: 6–8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 1: 1-3 p.m., 6–8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 2: 1-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 3: 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 4: 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. (USCGC Mackinaw will be closed all day Friday for private events.)
- Saturday, Aug. 5: 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m, 6-8 p.m.
A couple waits for the start of the Coast Guard Festival Meijer Grand Parade along Sheldon Road on Saturday, August 6, 2016, in Grand Haven, Mich. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)
Justine McGuire
Festival Idol
Festival Idol brings the "American Idol" ideals to a hometown setting. Local vocalists will perform on the Lake Trust Credit Union Waterfront Stage at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 31.
Performers will be split into three age categories: 13 and under, 14-20 and 21 and up.
Children play in water shooting from the Coast Guard wet trainer during the Coast Guard Festival's Kids Day behind the YMCA in Grand Haven on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The wet trainer is used to teach coast guards how to patch up pipes. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Kid's Day
Coast Guard Festival's Kid's Day provides fun for the whole family, including games, displays, storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce house, and prince and princess contests.
Attractions are free at the event, which takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Mulligan's Hollow, 600 Y Drive in Grand Haven. About 4,500 children and their caregivers are expected to attend.
People enjoy a ride during the Coast Guard Festival's carnival in downtown Grand Haven on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Downtown Carnival
The Coast Guard Festival carnival takes over Washington Avenue from Harbor Drive to Third Street making it a focal point of the festival with about two dozen rides, plus games and food vendors.
Here's the schedule:
- Tuesday, Aug. 1: 6-11 p.m. ($20 wristbands)
- Wednesday, Aug. 2: 2-11 p.m. ($20 wristbands)
- Thursday, Aug. 3: 2-11 p.m. ($20 wristbands)
- Friday, Aug. 4: 2-11 p.m. ($20 wristbands)
- Saturday, Aug. 5: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ($15 wristbands), 4 p.m.-1 a.m. (no wristbands)
A couple dances on Washington Avenue in front of Grand Haven Bank during the Coast Guard Festival's street dance. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Street Dance
Cut loose in the streets of downtown Grand Haven from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1. A live band will play music from the 80s, 90s and now, including rock, country, mowtown, and some older jams.
The event takes place on Washington Avenue between Third and Fourth streets.
Patrons stroll through Grand Haven Central Park during the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Coast Guard Craft Fair
Grand Haven's Central Park will be filled with arts and crafts vendors from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4-5.
The annual event attracts thousands of shoppers.
People are reflected in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Memorial Wall on their way out of Escanaba Park after the U.S. Coast Guard National Memorial Service during Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival 2009. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Memorial services
Two memorial services are at the heart of Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.
The National Memorial Service honors members of the U.S. Coast Guard who have passed over the bar in the line of duty during the past year. The service is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at Escanaba Park.
Preceding the national service is teh Auxiliary Memorial Service, which honors those U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members who served in Michigan and passed away during the past year. The service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 4, at Escanaba Park.
A U.S. Coast Guard boat passes through Grand River during the Grand City Skiers water ski show as part of the Coast Guard Festival at Waterfront Stadium in downtown Grand Haven on July 30, 2013. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Walk of Coast Guard History
As the first-ever Coast Guard City, USA, Grand Haven has a lot of U.S. Coast Guard history to celebrate. To help visitors get a sense of the city's intertwined history with this branch of the U.S. military, the Walk of Coast Guard History will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 4, starting at Grand Haven City Hall, 519 Washington Ave.
Grand Haven was named the first Coast Guard City by an act of U.S. Congress on Nov. 13, 1998. Since then, just two other Great Lakes cities have received the honor: Traverse City, Mich., and Sturgeon Bay, Wis. There are 21 Coast Guard Cities with the newest being San Diego, Calif., receiving its designation on Feb. 23, 2017.
Fireworks burst over the channel Saturday night during the 88th Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven. (MLive.com file)
Justine McGuire
Fireworks Extravaganza
The Coast Guard Festival is known for one of the best fireworks displays in Michigan. This year's Fireworks Extravaganza is scheduled for after dark on Saturday, Aug. 5.
Fireworks will be shot off from Dewey Hill, which is on the opposite side of the channel from downtown Grand Haven.
Spectators are encouraged to mark viewing spots along the waterfront using blankets, caution tape, golf tees and chairs beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 (Friday night).
People gather along the South Pierhead Inner Light to watch the ships arrive for the annual Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich. on Monday, July 27, 2015. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)
Justine McGuire
Related links
Check out the best visuals from Coast Guard Festival 2016
Reopening of Grand Haven's popular pier delayed until October
Guide to 20 marvelous West Michigan summer 2017 festivals, events
Ad Choices