Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

July-AugustTo honor the men and women who serve in the United States Coast Guard, the port city of Grand Haven, Mich., hosts an annual week-long festival. Grand Haven has been nicknamed "Coast Guard City USA." It is the site of a Coast Guard Sector Field Office that covers the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival includes the National United States Coast Guard Memorial Service at Escanaba Park, which remembers those who have given their lives to protect and serve the United States. The park is named in honor of the USCG cutter Escanaba, which was torpedoed while engaged in convey escort duty in the North Atlantic during World War II. A total of 101 crew members lost in the tragedy had been stationed in Grand Haven.
Other events include a Kids Parade, a Parade of Ships, free tours of several Coast Guard vessels, live music, a carnival, a Coast Guard retirees' dinner, and the Grand Parade featuring 120 floats.
CONTACTS:
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
113 N. Second St.
Grand Haven, MI 49417
888-207-2434 or 616-846-5940; fax: 616-846-2509
www.coastguardfest.org