GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — The 2023 Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven is here!
The festival runs July 28 through August 6 and will feature events that are both somber and celebratory.
From ship tours and parades to tribute bands and a national memorial service, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
13 ON YOUR SIDE is a proud sponsor of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.
Here's a quick rundown of events:
Parades
There are three parades this year. Here's when you can expect them:
Kids Parade: Saturday, July 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Parade of Ships: Monday, July 31 at 1 p.m.
Grand Parade: Saturday, Aug. 5 at 11:45 a.m.
Fireworks
Aug. 5 after dark
Featured Concerts
Simply Queen: Friday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Woodstock Revival: Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.
The Caverners - A Tribute to the Beatles: Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Country Legends Tribute: Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Trilogy Classics Live: Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunset BLVD - 80's Rock: Thursday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Face 2 Face - Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute: Friday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The Modern Gentlemen/Fireworks: Saturday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.
Ship Tours
Other Events
Cardboard Boat Race Competition: Saturday, July 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Cruise-in Car Show: Sunday, July 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Flea on Seventh: Sunday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carnival: Tuesday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 5
National Memorial Service: Friday, Aug. 4 at 4 p.m.
Parking Locations:
The park-and-ride will be available from 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
Downtown Drop-Off Location:
• 3rd Street and Columbus Ave
Places to park:
• Harbor Island (Wednesday/Thursday/Friday. 4 p.m. -11 p.m.)
• Elementary School (Grand Haven)
• Griffin Elementary School (Grand Haven)
• Trinity Reformed Church (Grand Haven)
• First Christian Reformed Church (Grand Haven)
• First Baptist Church (Spring Lake)
• All Shores Wesleyan Church (Spring Lake)
• Ferrysburg City Hall
History
Honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard is deeply rooted in Grand Haven.
The Coast Guard Sector Field Office facility is at 601 S Harbor Drive.
According to organizers, the festival began as a picnic with Coast Guard personnel. Today, the festival brings more than 350,000 people to West Michigan to participate in the celebration.
In 1998, Congress and the President officially honored Grand Haven with the designation of "Coast Guard City, USA." There have been 31 cities named as a Coast Guard city, but Grand Haven has the honor of being the first to earn the title.
You can learn more about the history of the Grand Haven Coast Guard here.
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