Your Ultimate Guide to Coast Guard Festival 2021
Plan Your Visit to Grand Haven’s Coast Guard Festival!
As Coast Guard City, U.S.A., Grand Haven is well known for the U.S. Coast Guard Festival in the first week of August which brings hundreds of thousands of people to the area. It’s a celebration to honor those who currently serve or have served in the United States Coast Guard. You’ll find hundreds of boats, carnival fun, musical performances, parades, and a grand finale firework display.
The Grand Haven U.S. Coast Guard Festival began as a Coast Guard Community Picnic in 1925, and has run annually since then (excepting the years 1942-1945 due to WWII, and 2020 due to COVID-19). By act of congress, Grand Haven was names Coast Guard City, U.S.A. on November 13, 1998. It was the first city to be recognized for the support of the people serving the U.S. Coast Guard.
We’ve broken down the schedule by days and focused on the public events so you can easily plan your schedule for Coast Guard Festival 2021. For more information and details, check out the Coast Guard Festival Events page on their website.
Saturday, July 31, 2021
– Tri-Cities YMCA Coast Guard Festival Run: 5K, 10K, Family Fun Run, & Virtual. This event is by registration only, though spectators can watch for free along the entire route. The 5K, 10K, and Virtual run cost $30, and the 1 Mile Family fun Run costs $13. The first race, the 5K, begins at 7:30am.
– Cardboard Boat Races at the Waterfront Stadium. This event requires registration to participate but is FREE. Two levels, Buoy Class (10-15yrs) & Cutter Class (16yrs+), construct vessels out of cardboard and actually sail in them. There are four possible awards. The races begin at 1:30pm.
Sunday, August 1, 2021
– Cruise In Car Show along Washington Ave, mainstreet downtown with live music. Prizes awarded at 1:30pm. This event is FREE to attend. It goes from 7:30am – 2:00pm.
– Flea Market at 7 N. Seventh St, Grand Haven. There will be dozens of vendors and it is FREE to attend. It runs from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
– Community Picnic at Coast Guard Park in Ferrysburg. Enjoy food, games, and music while celebrating the annual picnic. This event is FREE to attend. It begins at 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Monday, August 2, 2021
– Parade of Ships & Tours along the Grand Haven Channel and at Escanaba Park. For safety reasons, civilians will not be allowed on ships this year, and the guided walking tours will be on land beside the ships. This event is FREE to attend. The parade of ships is around 1:00pm. The tours run from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
– Kids Day at Mulligans Hollow – There will be games, displays, storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts, bounce houses, and the Prince and Princess contest. Unfortunately there will be no food served this year. This event is FREE to attend. It runs from 9:00am – 1:00pm.
– Parade of Ships & Tours along the Grand Haven Channel and at Escanaba Park. For safety reasons, civilians will not be allowed on ships this year, and the guided walking tours will be on land beside the ships. This event is FREE to attend. It begins at 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
– Street Dance with Brena on Washington Ave., between 3rd & 4th Street. This band plays a variety of instruments and a variety of music for easy listening and easy dancing. This is FREE to attend and goes from 8:30pm – 10:30pm.
– Carnival at Chinook Pier. Dozens of classic carnival rides, family fun games, and delicious food concessions. Tickets are $1 or purchase a wristband for unlimited rides for $25. Rides cost anywhere from 2-6 tickets each. The carnival is open from 6:00pm – 11:00pm.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
– Senior Day at Mulligans Hollow – Provides a day of fun activities, wellness information, and community spirit for those over 50 years old. It is FREE to attend. It runs from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
– Parade of Ships & Tours along the Grand Haven Channel and at Escanaba Park. For safety reasons, civilians will not be allowed on ships this year, and the guided walking tours will be on land beside the ships. This event is FREE to attend. It begins at 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
– Carnival at Chinook Pier. Dozens of classic carnival rides, family fun games, and delicious food concessions. Tickets are $1 or purchase a wristband for unlimited rides for $25. Rides cost anywhere from 2-6 tickets each. The carnival is open from 2:00pm – 11:00pm.
Thursday, August 5, 2021
– Carnival at Chinook Pier. Dozens of classic carnival rides, family fun games, and delicious food concessions. Tickets are $1 or purchase a wristband for unlimited rides for $25. Rides cost anywhere from 2-6 tickets each. The carnival is open from 2:00pm – 11:00pm.
– Parade of Ships & Tours along the Grand Haven Channel and at Escanaba Park. For safety reasons, civilians will not be allowed on ships this year, and the guided walking tours will be on land beside the ships. This event is FREE to attend. It begins at 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Friday, August 6, 2021
– Coast Guard Craft Show & Art Fair at Central Park in downtown Grand Haven. Over 100 different crafters from around the state and nation set up their handmade products. It is FREE to attend and products vary in prices. It’s open from 9:00am – 6:00pm.
– Parade of Ships & Tours along the Grand Haven Channel and at Escanaba Park. Unfortunately, civilians will not be allowed on ships this year, and the guided walking tours will be on land beside the ships. This event is FREE to attend. It begins at 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
– Carnival at Chinook Pier. Dozens of classic carnival rides, family fun games, and delicious food concessions. Tickets are $1 or purchase a wristband for unlimited rides. Wristband is $20 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm, and $25 from 6:00pm – 11:00pm. Rides cost anywhere from 2-6 tickets each. The carnival is open from 2:00pm – 11:00pm.
Saturday, August 7, 2021
– Coast Guard Craft Show & Art Fair at Central Park in downtown Grand Haven. Over 100 different crafters from around the state and nation set up their handmade products. It is FREE to attend and products vary in prices. It’s open from 9:00am – 5:00pm.
– Grand Parade in downtown Grand Haven. It will start at the intersection of Colfax Ave & Sheldon Rd, and head north on Sheldon Rd, where it continues north on Fifth St until Franklin Ave. It then turns left and goes down Franklin until the intersection with Third St, and the parade turns right onto Third St. At the intersection with Washington, the parade turns down the main street and continues along Washington Ave until Seventh St where it turns right. The parade ends at the intersection of Grant Ave and Seventh St. This event is FREE to attend. The parade starts at 11:45am.
– Parade of Ships & Tours along the Grand Haven Channel and at Escanaba Park. Unfortunately, civilians will not be allowed on ships this year, and the guided walking tours will be on land beside the ships. This event is FREE to attend. It begins at 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
– Carnival at Chinook Pier. Dozens of classic carnival rides, family fun games, and delicious food concessions. Tickets are $1. Or from 11:00am – 4:00pm, purchase a wristband for unlimited rides for $20. After 4:00pm, no wristbands are allowed. Rides cost anywhere from 2-6 tickets each. The carnival is open from 11:00am – 11:00pm.
– Fireworks Extravaganza at the Waterfront Stadium. The firework show will be accompanied by choreographed music from Grand Haven’s Musical Fountain. They can be viewed from anywhere along the downtown waterfront. It is FREE to attend. Starts around 10:00pm.
Main Stage Events
Main Stage Events are performed at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, and require tickets to attend. Dates, shows, times, and ticket prices are as follows:
- Friday, July 30, 2021: The Breakfast Club at 7:30pm; Tickets are $15
- Saturday, July 31, 2021: Simply Queen at 7:30pm; Tickets are $15
- Monday, August 2, 2021: Festival Idol at 6:30pm; Tickets are $10
- Tuesday, August 3, 2021: Grand City Skiers Ski Show at 7:00pm; Tickets are $10
- Wednesday, August 4, 2021: Scott Keo: Michael Bublé’ Tribute at 7:30pm; Tickets are $15
- Thursday, August 5, 2021: The System – A Bob Seger Tribute at 7:30pm; Tickets are $15
- Friday, August 6, 2021: Who’s Bad – A Michael Jackson Tribute at 7:30pm; Tickets are $15
- Saturday, August 7, 2021: The Company Men at 7:30pm; Tickets are $30
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