The first Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in 1924 was a quiet Coast Guard members-only picnic, unlike this year's event. This August, Grand Haven is celebrating the men and women of the Coast Guard with their 86th Annual Coast Guard Festival. Over the years, the one day picnic has turned into a ten day extravaganza, boasting 26 events and nightly entertainment. The parade and the fireworks display are the two largest draws, according to Madonna Kramer, Coast Guard Fest's marketing director. "Over the past 15 years, we've gradually been increasing our funding, and developing our fireworks display," says Kramer, "and now we have the best fireworks display in Michigan. We've become nationally known for it."

One thing is certain though, the original purpose of the festival remains the same. On August 6th, the festival takes on a more VIP-focused atmosphere. The day is filled with special events for Coast Guard members and their families and at noon is the unveiling of the latest Points of Coast Guard History. "First we talk about local Coast Guard history, and then about general Coast Guard history," says Kramer.

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival 113 North Second Street Grand Haven, MI July 30-August 8 (616) 846-5940 coastguardfest.org

All of this leads up to the National Memorial Service at Escanaba Park later that afternoon. The service began in order to commemorate the Coast Guard members lost when The Escanaba, the first cutter to be home ported in Grand Haven, sank during WWII. There were only two survivors and the Grand Haven community was devastated. The memorial has continued over the years, and is now also a reflective tribute to the Coast Guard men and women who have lost their lives in service to their country this past year.

Also offering a look at Coast Guard history are daily boat tours. This year, people will line the channel to watch three Coast Guard cutters, the Hollyhock, the Neah Bay, and the Buckthorn, as well as the Canadian Coast Guard cutter, the Samuel Risley, will sail into the harbor. Ship tours will be offered daily at four hour intervals.

While the Coast Guard Festival has always tried to be family friendly, this year, the festival will spend an entire day focusing on youth talent. The kid's parade has long been a favorite, but a new offering is the family friendly entertainment that will happen shortly after the parade. Nightly live entertainment is offered, but "it's too late for the kids," says Kramer.

The festival offers entertainment for everyone. It also gives Grand Haven a chance to celebrate and honor the members of the United States Coast Guard.