Coast Guard Festival Events Breakdown
The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is a week-long celebration to honor and respect members of the United States Coast Guard. Starting July 29 and ending August 7, the week will be packed full of activities such as live music, craft shows, parades, a carnival, fireworks, and more! Below is a daily schedule of events so you can stay in the loop about what events are happening when!
Friday, July 29
Event: Lighthouse Quilt Guild
Time: 10am-5pm
Admission: $7
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 901 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven
About: Annual quilt show with the theme: “Of Sky and Sea” with over 100 quilts on display. Hear members tell stories about their antique quilts and offer demonstrations.
Event: Grand Haven Elks Food Truck Rally
Time: 11am-9pm
Admission: Free
Location: Grand Haven Elks Lodge # 1200
About: Going today thru Saturday, August 6, come enjoy a variety of food trucks such as pizza, Mexican cuisine, deli, ice cream, and more!
Event: AEROFORCE- An Aerosmith Tribute Band
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Enjoy an Aerosmith tribute band concert on the waterfront with the sound, look, and atmosphere drawing off of Aerosmith’s spirit and iconicity.
Saturday, July 30
Event: Tri-Cities Family YMCA Grand Haven Coast Guard Run
Time: 5K Run/Walk- 7:30am,
10K Run/Walk- 8:30am
1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk (strollers welcome),
Tot Trot Obstacle Course (ages 3-6)- 9:15am
Admission: Registration (provide link)
Location: YMCA, 1 Y Dr., Grand Haven
Event: Lighthouse Quilt Guild
Time: 9am-4pm
Admission: $7
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 901 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven
About: Annual quilt show with the theme: “Of Sky and Sea” with over 100 quilts on display. Hear members tell stories about their antique quilts and offer demonstrations.
Event: Kids Parade
Time: 10:30am
Admission: Free
Location: Route: Start at 5th St. & Franklin, West on Franklin to 1st St., North on 1st St. to Washington Ave., East on Washington Ave. to 5th St.
About: The theme of the parade is “Celebrating the Men & Women who keep the GREAT LAKES… GREAT.” This parade is for all ages and honors those who are part of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Event: The Cardboard Boat Race
Time: 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Two classes of racers will be featured in a 200-yard race. The Buoy Class is for ages 10-15, the Cutter class is open to anyone 16 and older. There will also be 3 to 8-person boats in the race. Various prizes will be awarded and the boats will be on display from noon until the start of the race so the public can take a look at all the boats.
Event: Simply Queen- A tribute to Queen
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: This Queen tribute band captures the essence of a Queen show visually and sonically to bring the audience Queen’s greatest hits as authentically as possible.
Sunday, July 31
Event: Pancake Breakfast
Time: 7-10:30am
Admission: $10 per adult, $8 per child or GH student (18 & under), $30 for family of 4
Location: Coast Guard Festival Office, 113 N 2nd St., Grand Haven
About: Enjoy this pancake breakfast that helps fundraise for Grand Haven Bucs Sports Boosters.
Event: Cruise in Car Show
Time: 7:30am-2:30pm
Admission: Free to attend, $8 per car entry
Location: Downtown Grand Haven, Washington Ave.
About: Come see over 250 unique cars on display at the annual car show.
Event: Flea on Seventh
Time: 10am-4pm
Admission: Free
Location: 7th St., Grand Haven
About: Hosted by Vintage Green Antiques, shop dozens of vendors with eye-catching antiques and various apparel.
Event: Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic
Time: 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Location: Coast Guard Park
About: Enjoy food, music, and games to celebrate the annual picnic that kick started the first Coast Guard Festival. This picnic is hosted by the City of Ferrysburg.
Monday, August 1
Event: Parade of Ships
Time: 1pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Watch several Coast Guard ships enter the port of Grand Haven for the festival.
Event: Ship Tours
Time: 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Tour the Coast Guard ships and see where the captain sits, where the crew resides, and the inside and outside of the ships.
Event: Rock N’ Hop- 50s and 60s Music
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Dance at the Waterfront Stadium to your favorite hits from the 50s and 60s. With a show as energetic as the music, high energy songs and slow dance ballads will be on the set-list. Music from Elvis, Paul Anka, Connie Francis, and more will be played to transport you back to the time of rock and roll.
Tuesday, August 2
Event: Kids Day
Time: 10am-2pm (9 – 10am for Coast Guard families)
Admission: Free
Location: Mulligan’s Hollow, 1 Y Dr., Grand Haven
About: Enjoy games, crafts, events, and attractions for kids. A Red Carpet, bounce house, and various activities are part of the fun.
Event: Ship Tours
Time: 10am-12pm, 1-3pm, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Tour the Coast Guard ships and see where the captain sits, where the crew resides, and the inside and outside of the ships.
Event: Downtown Carnival
Time: 6-11pm
Admission: $25 wristband, single ride tickets
Location: Downtown, Harbor Front, and Covenant Life parking lot
About: Enjoy several different carnival rides, games, and food that are fitting for all ages. Wristbands provide unlimited rides. Single-ride tickets allow a single ride of the ride purchased.
Event: Ultimate Air Dogs
Time: 3pm, 5pm, & 7pm
Admission: $7
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Watch dogs run and jump into a pool to compete for furthest jumper. All dogs are welcome to compete for Ultimate Air Dog!
Event: Street Dance with Brena
Time: 8:30-10:30pm
Admission: Free
Location: Washington St.
About: Sing and dance to music from the 80s, 90s, and current hits by the cover band, Brena. With different genres and decades performed, the street dance will have music everyone can enjoy.
Wednesday, August 3
Event: Grand Haven Coast Guard Softball Tournament
Time: 8:30am
Admission: Free
Location: YMCA Softball Field, 1 Y Dr., Grand Haven
About: Come watch Coast Guard personnel play in the annual Softball Tournament. The public cannot participate, but they are welcome to cheer on the teams!
Event: Senior Day
Time: 10am-2pm
Admission: Free
Location: Mulligan’s Hollow, 1 Y Dr., Grand Haven
About: Enjoy activities such as Zumba, a pickleball tournament, bingo, and more at Senior Day. Boxed lunch will be provided by sponsors. Register for the pickleball tournament here (link).
Event: Ship Tours
Time: 10am-12pm, 1-3pm, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Tour the Coast Guard ships and see where the captain sits, where the crew resides, and the inside and outside of the ships.
Event: Downtown Carnival
Time: 2-11pm
Admission: $25 wristband, single ride tickets
Location: Downtown, Harbor Front, and Covenant Life parking lot
About: Enjoy several different carnival rides, games, and food that are fitting for all ages. Wristbands provide unlimited rides. Single-ride tickets allow a single ride of the ride purchased.
Event: Coast Guard Retirees’ Dinner (Private Event)
Time: 5pm
Admission: Reservation
Location: The Eagles, Columbus Ave. and 2nd St.
About: A barbeque for retired members of the United States Coast Guard. Retirees are free.
Event: Better Bags Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser
Time: 5:30pm
Admission: $50
Location: 129 Columbus Ave.
About: Play in a cornhole tournament as a team of 2. Register here (link) to participate.
Event: Waterball Competition
Time: 6pm
Admission: Free
Location: Washington Ave,
About: Come watch a waterball competition that includes members of Public Safety departments, local fire departments, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Event: Parrots of the Caribbean- Jimmy Buffett Tribute
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Enjoy singing along and dancing to Jimmy Buffett’s greatest hits performed by a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.
Thursday, August 4
Event: Ship Tours
Time: 10am-12pm, 1-3pm, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Tour the Coast Guard ships and see where the captain sits, where the crew resides, and the inside and outside of the ships.
Event: Downtown Carnival
Time: 2-11pm
Admission: $30 wristband, single ride tickets
Location: Downtown, Harbor Front, and Covenant Life parking lot
About: Enjoy several different carnival rides, games, and food that are fitting for all ages. Wristbands provide unlimited rides. Single-ride tickets allow a single ride of the ride purchased.
Event: Trilogy Classics Live- Journey, Foreigner, Styx Tribute
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Come see this tribute band perform several hits from the platinum-selling musicians Journey, Foreigner, and Styx.
Friday, August 5
Event: Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Craft Fair
Time: 9am-6pm
Admission: Free
Location: Downtown and Central Park
About: Enjoy shopping at the annual craft fair where a variety of vendors have a plethora of goods and décor.
Event: Ship Tours
Time: 10am-12pm, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Tour the Coast Guard ships and see where the captain sits, where the crew resides, and the inside and outside of the ships.
Event: Walk of Grand Haven Coast Guard History
Time: Noon
Admission: Free
Location: Grand Haven City Hall, 519 Washington Ave., Grand Haven
About: Come see the dedication of the “newest” point of Coast Guard history.
Event: Downtown Carnival
Time: 2-11pm
Admission: $30 wristband, single ride tickets
Location: Downtown, Harbor Front, and Covenant Life parking lot
About: Enjoy several different carnival rides, games, and food that are fitting for all ages. Wristbands provide unlimited rides. Single-ride tickets allow a single ride of the ride purchased.
Event: National Coast Guard Memorial Service
Time: 4pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: A memorial tribute to honor Coast Guard personnel that have passed in the line of duty in the past year.
Event: Hotel California- An Eagles Tribute Band
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Enjoy live music from an Eagles tribute band that has toured around the world. Watch them perform the greatest hits and see how they transformed the image of tribute bands with their live shows.
Saturday, August 6
Event: Coast Guard Farmers Market
Time: 8am-1pm
Admission: Free
Location: Tanglefoot Park, 312 Exchange St., Spring Lake
About: There will be no Farmers Market at Chinook Pier on this day due to Coast Guard Festival Activities.
Event: Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Craft Fair
Time: 9am-5pm
Admission: Free
Location: Downtown and Central Park
About: Enjoy shopping at the annual craft fair where a variety of vendors have a plethora of goods and decor.
Event: Ship Tours
Time: 10am-12pm, 1-3pm, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
Location: Escanaba Park
About: Tour the Coast Guard ships and see where the captain sits, where the crew resides, and the inside and outside of the ships.
Event: Grand Parade
Time: 11:45am
Admission: Free
Location: Downtown
About: Come see the annual parade that honors Coast Guard personnel with over 100 parade entries.
Event: Downtown Carnival
Time: 12-11pm
Admission: From 12-4pm, wristbands are $20. After 4pm, ticket purchases only.
Location: Downtown, Harbor Front, and Covenant Life parking lot
About: Enjoy several different carnival rides, games, and food that are fitting for all ages. Wristbands provide unlimited rides. Single-ride tickets allow a single ride of the ride purchased.
Event: Brass Transit- Chicago Tribute Band
Time: 8pm
Admission: $25
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Come see this lively tribute band perform classics from well-known bands as well as their own music that you can dance and sing along to. Ticket includes seating for the Fireworks Extravaganza.
Event: Fireworks Extravaganza
Time: Dark
Admission: Free
Location: Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
About: Beginning at dusk, this annual fireworks show will leave you in awe. Happening at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, the extravaganza can be viewed all along the boardwalk and downtown.
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