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Michigan's communities are the perfect hosts for summertime boating-centered activities. From Grand Haven and its annual Coast Guard Festival extravaganza, to the Nautical Mile Splash Bash in St. Clair Shores, boaters looking for a good time have many ports of call during the 2010 season. Among the best boating-centered events:
APRIL
- Traverse City Boat Show, April 16-18, Howe Arena, Traverse City, www.traversecityboatshow.com, (231) 775-9900; Blue Water Promotions presents this one-of-a-kind retail event.
- Nautical Mile Boat Show and Open House, St. Clair Shores, April 22-25, www.nauticalmile.org.
MAY
- Great Lakes Boating Festival, May 21-23, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
- Ashleigh's Walk - 5K Walk/Run, Sat. May 22, Bloomer Park, Rochester hills. 8:30AM to 10:30AM. Benefit for a vicitm of a PWC accident. Contact Chipps3478@aol.com for more information
- National Safe Boating Week, May 22-28, organized by the National Safe Boating Council, www.safeboatingcouncil.org, (703) 361-4294.
JUNE
- Nautical Mile Annual Splash Bash, St. Clair Shores, June 10-13, www.nauticalmile.org, (586) 777-7100.
- Critter Golf Invitational - a Benefit for the Dearborn Animal Shelter, Monday, June 7. www.dearbornanimals.org, (313) 943-2697.
- National Marina Day, June 12 www.nationalmarinaday.org
- Walled Lake Thunder, Walled Lake, June 12-13, www.Baysidesportsgrill.com, (248) 669-3322; two days of complete inboard hyrdoplane racing.
- Great Lakes Championship Hydroplane Racing, Constantine, June 12-13, (269) 435-2613; national races sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association.
- Bay Harbour In-Water Boat Show, June 18-20
- 3rd Annual Detroit River Open Bass Fishing Tournament, June 20
- The International Freedom Festival Fireworks, June 24, www.detroitriverdays.com; The 52nd annual fireworks display along the Detroit International Watefront downtown Detroit.
- Bay Harbor Vintage Car and Boat Festival, June 24-27
JULY
- Detroit APBA Gold Cup, Detroit River, July 9-11, www.gold-cup.com; hosted by the Detroit River Regatta Association, the Gold Cup is among the most prestigious of motor sport races covering a large area of the river.
- The South Arm Classic Boat Show; July 10, 10AM to 3PM www.southarmclassicboats.com; In-water and land show with canoes, kayaks, vintage outboards and artisan booths.
- Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament, Ludington, July 15-18, www.visitludington.com (800) 783-4456; one of the biggest tournaments of the summer with more than $100,000 in prizes and cash.
- Venetian Fest, St. Joseph, July 15-18, www.venetian.org, (269) 983-7917; the festival is a celebration of life on the waterfront encompassing day and evening concerts, dancing, fireworks, boat parades and more.
- St. Clair antique & Classic Boat Show, St. Clair Municipal Arena, July 17, www.michacbs.com, (810) 326-3575; third-annual show features antique and classic boats as well as antique fire engines and recreational vehicles and campers.
- Hiawatha Kayaking Festival, Les Cheneaux Islands, dates TBD, www.lescheneaux.net (888) 364-7526.
- Fourth of July Round the Island Yacht Race, Mackinac Island, July 3, www.miyachtclub.com, (906) 847-3363; sponsored by the Pink Pony, free race open to all sailors with plaques and awards for all.
- Macman Challenge, July 22-24, www.lcyc.ca; the seventh running of the Mackinac Island to Manitou Island International Yacht Race.
- Port Huron to Mackinac Yacht Race, Port Huron, starts July 17, (800) 852-4242, www.byc.com/mack; one of the longest running fresh-water races in the world held since 1925 starting in Port Huron and ending at Mackinac Island.
- Boat Night, Port Huron, July 16, mainstreetph.com, (810) 984-9790; every year Port Huron hosts Boat Night along the Black River the night prior to the yacht race to Mackinac Island.
- Blue Water Fest 1st Annual Boat Parade of Lights, July 17, For more information or to register your boat, visit www.bluewaterfest.com
- US Title Series Hydroplane Boat Race, Constantine, July 23-25, (269) 435-4075; national races sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association.
- Nautical Mile Aquafest, St. Clair Shores, date TBD, www.nauticalmile.org, (586) 777-7100.
- Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Grand Haven, July 30 to Aug.8, www.coastguardfest.org; 86th annual festival honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.
- Antique Outboard Motor and Flea Market, Hastings, July 24, www.charletonpark.org, (269) 945-3775.
- 100 Miller Sailboat Race, Menominee, July 31, www.mmyc.org, (906) 863-6469; beautiful day sail starting in Menominee up the shores of Door County around islands in Green Bay and back to exciting parties.
- Festival Kayak Race, Plainwell, date TBD, www.plainwellchamber.com, (269) 685-8877.
- St. Clair Riverfest, St. Clair, July 23-25, www.stclairsummerfest.com, (586) 913-1919.
- St. Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race, July 23-25; (see contact above); classic offshore powerboat race sponsored by Blue Water Offshore Racing Association, this race is part of the Great Lakes Silver Cup Series and is held on the St. Clair River.
- Chicago to Mackinac Race, Starts July 24
- Traverse City Film Festival, July 26-Aug. 1, www.traversecityfilmfestival.org
- Top O' Michigan Outboard Races, Indian River/Crooked River, July 31-Aug. 1, www.tomorc.com, (231) 238-9325; held over two days, racers will travel 87 miles through Northern Michigan's Inland Waterway.
- Great Lakes Fishing tournament, Rogers City, dates TBD, (989) 734-4392.
- Bay View to Mackinac Yacht Race, dates TBD, (800) 454-5227.
- Grand Haven's Coast Guard Festival, July 30 - August 8
AUGUST
- Walstrom Marine Summer Cruise - Detour, MI & Killarney, ONT, August 1-4, walstrom.com
- Paella in the Park, August 6, www.porterhouseproductions.com
- Classic Boats on the Boardwalk, Traverse City, Aug. 7, www.cacbs.com, (231) 779-0764; 23rd annual antique and classic boat show for wooden boats.
- Jazz on the River, Trenton, date TBD, www.jazzontheriver.org; 14th annual weekend of music, entertainment and fun located on the island of Elizabeth Park.
- Ship 'N Shore Festival, New Buffalo, date TBD, (269) 469-5409
- 5th Annual Grand Haven In-Water Boat Show, Grand Haven, date TBD, www.ghboatshow.com, (616) 842-3176; showcases both new and pre-owned boats of all types as well as exhibits and boating-safety demos.
- Boat Town USA Festival of Lights Parade, Mt. Clemons, Aug. 7, www.boattownusa.org, (800) 477-3172; lighted boat parade starting at dusk at the mouth of the Clinton River.
- Great Lakes Fishing Tournament, Rogers City, Aug. 14-15, www.hbanglers.com, (989) 734-4392; tournament consists of four-man teams fishing for salmon and trout, prizes.
- An Evening with Mario Batali, Aug 14 www.porterhouseproductions.com
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The Michigan Maritime Museum will be hosting a Tall Ship Event August 19-22 in South Haven www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org
- Antique Boat Show at Port Sanilac Municipal Harbor, Aug. 20&21. email: njthomas42@sbcglobal.net - call for info. (810)622-9931. This is 2nd annual boat show for wooden boats, along with old tin can trailors and tractor Show.
- Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show, Hessel, Aug. 14, www.lescheneaux.net, (888) 364-7526; antique wooden boats from across the country, concessions, crafts, food and music.
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Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival, Aug 27-28 www.TCBeerFest.com
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Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, Aug 21 www.traversecitywinefestival.com
- Nautical Mile Handicapped Fishing Derby, August 29
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Third Coast Bicycle Festival, Aug 22-29 www.TCBikeFest.org
SEPTEMBER
- Horns Bar Labor Day Regatta, Mackinac Island, Sept. 5, www.miyachtclub.com, (906) 847-3363; free sailboat race open to all sailors with awards.
- Bay Harbor Fishign Tournament, Sept. 10-12, walstrom.com
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Michigan Schooner Festival, Sept 10-12 www.MichiganSchoonerFestival.org
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Dressage by the Bay Fall Classic, Sept 10-12 www.HorseShowsbytheBay.com
- Antique and Classic Boat Society International Boat Show, Petoskey, Sept. 15-18, www.bayharbor2010.com.
OCTOBER
- Boo Cruise, St. Clair Shores, date TBD, www.nauticalmile.org, (586) 777-7100.
DECEMBER
- December holiday lights, St. Clair Shroes, date TBD, www.nauticalmile.org, (586) 777-7100.
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