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 GuildSaturday, July 28
Tri Cities Family YMCA Coast Guard RunLighthouse Quilt GuildKids ParadeRed Carpet PhotosFree Hotdog LunchPlaying Out LoudVolunteer DinnerHometown IdolSunday, July 29
Cruise in Car ShowGrand Haven Rotary Pancake BreakfastCoast Guard Festival Bicycle TourCoast Guard Festival Community PicnicWorship on the WaterfrontMonday, July 30
USCG Ships ArrivalsShip Tours at Escanaba ParkAnnabelle RoadTuesday, July 31
Coast Guard Golf TournamentKids DayShip Tours at Escanaba ParkDowntown CarnivalGrand City SkiersStreet DanceWednesday, August 1
Coastie Softball TournamentSenior DayDowntown CarnivalCoast Guard Retirees DinnerShip Tours at Escabana ParkThursday, August 2
Coast Guard Softball TournamentShip Tours at Escabana ParkDowntown CarnivalTri-Cities DinnerThe Company MenFriday, August 3
Coast Guard Spouses BreakfastCoast Guard Softball Championship GameCoast Guard Craft FairShip Tours at Escabana ParkUSCG Auxiliary Memorial ServiceWalk of Coast Guard HistoryDowntown CarnivalWelcoming ReceptionNational Coast Guard Memorial ServiceCoast Guard Enlisted DinnerDon Middlebrook and Living SoulSaturday, August 4
Coast Guard Craft FairShip Tours at Escabana ParkMeijer Grand ParadeDowntown CarnivalA Salute to Heroes Featuring the USO Liberty BellsFireworks ExtravaganzaSunday, August 8
Worship on the WaterfrontExecutive Committee
Andy Cawthon- ChairJeff Bradbury- Executive Vice ChairMike Poort- Operational Vice ChairJoni Bennett- Operational Vice ChairDawn Davis-SecretaryJoy Gaasch- TreasurerBoard of Directors
Ken BorduaFred BruhnMatt ButlerTerry GrotematDan GuzekJeff HawkBill HerbstScott KlaassenKristen KlemelDana KollewehrKaren LittleJim QueryDon RempinskiNichol StackLisa StonerAdvisors
CDR. M.J Smith, USCG (Retired)- Executive Director
Madonna Kramer- Director of Marketing& Fund Development
Title Sponsors
North Ottawa Community Health SystemWOOD-TVWOTVFirekeepers Casino