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.
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. 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.
The 2012 event list is below.
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
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
Title Sponsors
North Ottawa Community Health System
WOOD-TV
WOTV
Firekeepers Casino
