After falling victim to the pandemic last summer, like most festivals, the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is back for 2021.

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One of Michigan's most popular summer events, the Coast Guard Festival will run nine days from July 30-August 7, and as with most returning festivals, there will be a few changes.

Missing from this years festivities will be the kids parade, the food at Kids Day, and the waterball competition between local public safety and the Coast Guard. The traditional softball tournament at Mulligans Hollow will only take place one day, August 4, instead of two days.

Attendees will still enjoy the annual favorites of the event such as the Parade of Ships and tours, the YMCA Coast Guard 5K/10K run, art fair, the grand parade as well as the  fireworks, concerts, and the car show. The city council, that finally voted to move ahead with the festival earlier this week, is thrilled to be getting back to normal.

The city council made some adjustments this year with the agreement to allow alcohol sales at the stadium, camping on Harbor Island for carnival workers, and carnival sound levels allowed until 11pm.

The festival has been part of Michigan summers since 1924 when it began as a simple picnic for Coast Guard Members. Today the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival draws over 350,000 people to the event that includes the nations highest ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C.

You can get the entire schedule of events here. 

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