Coast Guard Festival

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. Today the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival has become a premier event with an attendance of over 350,000 people including the nation’s highest-ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C.

The focus of the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is the National Coast Guard Memorial Service honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country while fulfilling their motto “SEMPER PARATUS” (“Always Ready”). Each year since the first picnic in 1924 and the first festival in 1937, we have celebrated our heroes, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard with fun-filled family events at the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.

Did you know? Grand Haven was the first city designated by an act of Congress to be Coast Guard City, USA?  Our proud community received this honor on November 13, 1998, due to our long history and ongoing efforts to acknowledge the contributions and services provided by the men and women of the Coast Guard.

Successfully honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard at this annual event would not be possible without the cooperation of the United States Coast Guard, the local municipalities of Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg, hundreds of dedicated volunteers, and our generous corporate sponsors.

Parades, memorials, picnics, carnival rides, fireworks, car show, craft fair, and many more events. The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is an annual celebration of all things Coast Guard. The downtown stretch of Washington Street is home to the carnival while the waterfront is dotted with lots of tasty food treats – if you have an annual carny food splurge this is the place to do it!

The boardwalk will be a bustle with foot traffic leading attendees to and from the lighthouse, beach, ship tours and downtown. The waterfront stadium, also along the boardwalk, is host to a variety of musical entertainment acts as well as a fun water ski show. The community welcomes a wonderful mix of Coasties, residents, visitors and local/state dignitaries. If people watching were a sport this would be the Olympics! Come with family and friends or make new ones. Many new friendships have been forged via the Coast Guard Festival – trust us, it’s quite the bonding experience.

Insider tips:

Stop and shop at the CGX – Coast Guard Exchange store, this a great place to visit to get your Coast Guard gear and memorabilia. The CGX stocks up on unique items just in time for the Coast Guard Festival at 650 South Harbor Drive, Grand Haven – adjacent to USCG Sector Field Office.

City of Grand Haven Public Notice 
Regarding saving spots for the Grand Parade and Fireworks as well as mooring boats on the seawall

For more festival information, go to: www.coastguardfest.org