Saugatuck already has a well-established reputation as home to some colorful characters. Come the kickoff to the 2011 Venetian Festival, the streets will be home to some actual cartoon characters and caped crusaders. This year's "Cartoon Characters and Superheroes" theme promises to bring out some top-notch entries into Friday night's kids and adults costume contest.
The Venetian Festival, as its name suggests, is all about fun and festivities focused on the waterfront, Festival President Don Karaus said. The festival kicks off Friday evening with a concert by '80s cover band Starfarm at Saugatuck's waterfront Coughlin Park. The family friendly event also features balloon animals, face painting, food, wine and spirits.
"Everybody comes together to enjoy the waterfront," Karaus said. "It's a beautiful social event that brings the community together to have fun."
Saturday finds Venetian's event dispersed throughout the town. An art fair, chicken barbecue and boat parade allows Saugatuck's residents to show off their creativity to the tourists that pour into town for the festivities.
"This weekend is the premier time to come here," Karaus said. "It's a vacation town where everyone can do what they want."
| 2011 Venetian Festival Downtown Saugatuck July 29 - 31 saugatuckvenetianfestival.com |
Saturday's main attraction on the water, besides for the oft-epic boat parade, is the dinghy poker run. Participants in boats 17 feet and under travel to destinations along the Kalamazoo River system to pick up playing cards. With eight stations in all, the race is on to create the best poker hand. More than 100 dinghies turned out last year to vie for the crown. Karaus warned that people in the dinghy poker run are fond of water guns and some splashing is to be expected.
"Don't do it if you're afraid of getting wet," he said.
Saturday night's main attraction is a swing band under the stars in Wick's Park. Sunday features a classic boat and car show in addition to the presentation of the coveted Venetian Cup. After all, the Venetian Festival's competitive activities are a friendly contest between Saugatuck's many marinas. Participants win points on behalf of their marinas and the winning marina wins the Venetian Cup and bragging rights for the following year.
Registration forms for all of the activities are available at saugatuckvenetianfestival.com. If water sports aren't necessarily your thing, Karaus says hanging out around town during Venetian is almost as fun as getting wet. The crown jewel of the festival is the Saturday night fireworks display. The fireworks are supported by revenue from Saturday's chicken barbecue, so Karaus encouraged festival-goers to check it out. Under the sparkle of the fireworks, Karaus said the Venetian puts Saugatuck's best assets on display. The town itself is home to plenty to keep even the most fickle tourist entertained, he said.
"The festival has a small, hometown atmosphere in cool, small city."
Saugatuck's reputation as a resort town with a penchant for parties is on full display during Venetian. Although Karaus highlighted the festival's family friendly bonafides, he was careful to point out that the festival also caters to the adult crowd. After all, this is Saugatuck.
"And yes, we do allow drinking."
