Coast Guard Festival

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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 of 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 27th

  • Lighthouse Quilt Guild

Saturday, July 28th

  • 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 29th

  • 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 30th

  • USCG Ships Arrivals
  • Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
  • Annabelle Road

Tuesday, July 31st

  • Coast Guard Golf Tournament
  • Kids Day
  • Ship Tours at Escanaba Park
  • Downtown Carnival
  • Grand City Skiers
  • Street Dance

Wednesday, August 1st

  • Coastie Softball Tournament
  • Senior Day
  • Downtown Carnival
  • Coast Guard Retirees Dinner
  • Ship Tours at Escabana Park

Thursday, August 2nd

  • Coast Guard Softball Tournament
  • Ship Tours at Escabana Park
  • Downtown Carnival
  • Tri-Cities Dinner
  • The Company Men

Friday, August 3rd

  • 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 4th

  • 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

  • North Ottawa Community Health System
  • WOOD-TV
  • WOTV
  • Firekeepers Casino

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.coastguardfest.org
  2. ↑ http://www.hollandsentineal.com/x-17104-Holland-Family-Examiner~y2009m7d21-Coast-Guard-Festival-Grand-Haven-MI-2009
  3. ↑ http://coastguardfest.org/festival-schedule/

www.coastguardfest.org http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Haven-Coast-Guard-Festival-Official-FB-Page/128224850560478 https://twitter.com/#!/CoastGdFestival

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