Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival 2024, Event Schedule, Map of Event Locations, Parade Route Map, Fireworks and Carnival! See the USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn + Fun Things To Do Nearby!

Article: 2024 Coast Guard Festival

• Author: Sherry Trautman | Date Published: July 15, 2023
• Publisher: Travel-MI | Date Modified: July 17, 2024

Join us in Grand Haven Michigan to honor the incredible men and women of the United States Coast Guard!  

• Enjoy the colorful Kids and Grand Parade (my favorite!), games and rides at the carnival, breathtaking fireworks, lively mainstage concerts, 5k, engaging ship tours, craft show and so much fun!

How long is Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival? The festival runs for 10 days!

Where is the Coast Guard Festival? The festival is located in Grand Haven, Michigan - right along Lake Michigan!

Why is Grand Haven Coast Guard City? For several years the Coast Guard has been serving in the Grand Haven area.  This festival celebrates the men and women of the United States Coast Guard serving in the West Michigan area.

How many people go to the Coast Guard Festival? Approximately 350,000 people attend this popular Michigan festival each year!

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival History

The Coast Guard Festival began in 1924 as a Coast Guard personnel only picnic.  During the early Coast Guard festival days, service members stationed in Grand Haven enjoyed competitive rowing competitions. Now, this incredible festival is attended by thousands including the nation's highest ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C. 

{Pretty cool, huh?}

The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival focuses on the National Coast Guard Memorial Service honoring those who sacrificed their lives in  service. So let's celebrate our heroes, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard! 

Coast Guard Gifts-Cool Stuff

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map

Check out the locations of the festival events on the interactive map below!

Grab our interactive Google Coast Guard Festival Map. 

2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Schedule of Events

There's so many Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival events to enjoy this year! This events page will be continuously updated as new events are announced. 

Friday, July 26, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Lighthouse Quilt Guild Quilt Show - 9 am-7 pm.  This lovely quilt show will feature over 100 quilts created by members, demonstrations, and hear stories about their antique quilts.

Location: Second Christian Reformed Church - 2021 Sheldon, Grand Haven MI 49417

Cost: $7.00

21 Gun Salute – AC/DC Tribute – with opening act Big Cadillac

When: 6:00 pm

Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage

Tickets: $15

Saturday, July 27, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Coast Guard City USA Run - 7:30 am

Location: Tri Cities YMCA, 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven, MI

Lighthouse Quilt Guild Quilt Show - 9 am-5 pm.  This lovely quilt show is themed, “Of Sky and Sea” and you can see 100 quilts created by members, demonstrations, and hear stories about their antique quilts.

Location: Second Christian Reformed Church - 2021 Sheldon, Grand Haven MI 49417

Tickets: $7.00

Kids Parade - 10:30 am

Parade Route: (SEE MAP ABOVE) Parade route: start at 5th St. & Franklin, West on Franklin to 1st St., North on 1st to Washington, East on Washington to 5th St. 

“Celebrating a Century"  is the theme of the 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival kids parade.

Location: See our Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map

Cardboard Boat Race Competition - 1:30 pm.

There will be two classes of racers in the 150-yard race  with a limit of only 20 boats. The Buoy Class: ages 10-15 and the Cutter Class: anyone age over 16 years of age. Two-person and 3 to 8 person vessels are allowed.

Prize categories include fastest time, Fleet Award (best themed boat), Iceberg Award (best sinking!) and People’s Choice. 

Come see the boats from Noon until the race and vote for People’s Choice!

Location: Waterfront Stadium

Register for the Cardboard Boat Race! 

Simply Queen – A Tribute to Queen – with opening act Velvet Mushroom Syndicate - 6:00pm. Get ready to rock to all the iconic songs by Queen!

Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage

Tickets: $15.00

Sunday, July 28, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Cruise-In Car Show - 7:30 am – 2:00 pm 

See over 250 cars on display! Trophies and awards! 

Location: Downtown Grand Haven on Washington Ave between Harbor Drive and 4th Street.

+++Come out after the Car Show from 2-5 pm for the Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic!! Located in Mulligan’s Hollow – Grand Haven, MI

Pancake Breakfast - July 28, 2024 at 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Come on out to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Office, located at 113 N second street, Grand Haven, MI for a pancake fundraiser!

• $10 per adult
• $8 per child or Grand Haven student (18 under)
• $30 family of 4 ( 2 adults and 2 children)

Flea On Seventh - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Shop dozens of vendors!  

Location: 7th street between Washington and Columbus (SEE MAP)

Community Picnic - 2 pm-5 pm 

Enjoy food, games and music to celebrate the annual picnic that was the start of the Coast Guard Festival 98 years ago!  

Location: Mulligans Hollow 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven, MI

Monday, July 29, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Coast Guard Festival Parade of Ships - 1 pm -  3:00 pm. FREE

The Coast Guard Festival parade of ships is such an anticipated event to kick off the festival!  Wave to the gorgeous USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn as they sail into the port of Grand Haven.

Location: Escanaba Park 673 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI

Silver Stallion – A Tribute to The Highwaymen with opening act The Carl Webb Band - 6:00 pm

Location: Waterfront Stadium 1 South Harbor, Grand Haven, MI

Enjoy tributes to Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash!

Tickets: $15.00

Ship Tours - 6 pm – 8 pm - FREE. USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn

Location: Escanaba Park, 673 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Coastie Golf Tournament - Golf Outing is for Retired and Current Coast Guard Personnel Only. 

– Registration at 9:00 am
– Shotgun start at 10:00 am.

Location: American Dunes – 17000 Lincoln St., Grand Haven MI 49417

Kids Day - 10 am - 2 pm. FREE

Come out for games, crafts, entertainment, and FUN at Kids Day during the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!  Get your photo taken on the Red Carpet and then look for it on their Facebook Page.

Location:  Mulligan’s Hollow, 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven, MI

Food Vendors: beginning at 10:00 am

Hungry?  Grab a bite to eat from over 19 food vendors near Bicentennial Park

Ship Tours - 1 pm-3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm.  FREE USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn

Location: Escanaba Park

Parrots of the Caribbean – A Salute to Jimmy Buffet with Opening Act Two Dudes in Flip Flops - 6:00 pm

Location: Waterfront Stadium 1 South Harbor, Grand Haven, MI, United States

Tickets: $15

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2024 - 6 pm-11 pm

Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk.  This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!  

Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)

Cost: $25 Armband

Street Dance With Brena - 8:30 pm-10:30 pm FREE

Enjoy The Grand Rapids cover band, Brena! Dance and sing along to hits from the 80s, 90s, and NOW. From “Shout” to Motown, rock, and country, the show has something for everyone!

Location: Washington Street between 3rd and 4th  (SEE MAP!)

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Coastie Beach Volleyball -

• Beach Volleyball event for Active Duty and Retirees Only, Starts at 10:00 am

Where: Grand Haven State Park 1001 S Harbor, Grand Haven, MI

Seniors Day - 8 am - 2 pm Mulligan's Hollow events. FREE!

• Pickleball tournaments fitness demonstrations, Get Well expo and lots more!

Location: Mulligan's Hollow, 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven, MI

Coast Guard Festival Pickleball Tournament

Location: Mulligan’s Hollow 30 Sherman St., Grand Haven, MI

Register early!

Ship Tours - 10 am -12 pm, 1 pm -3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm.  FREE 

FREE! USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn

Location: Escanaba Park

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2024 - 2 pm-11 pm. Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk.  This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!  

Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)

Cost: $30 Armband

The Retirees Dinner (Private Event) 5 pm. Reunion bbq for those retired from the United States Coast Guard.  Reservations required.

Location: The Eagles - 20 N Second St, Grand Haven, MI.

Waterball Competition - 6:00 pm FREE 

Come on out to watch a friendly competition with members of the Public Safety Departments, Local Fire Departments, and US Coast Guard Personnel. Somebody's gonna get wet!  

Location: Washington Street between 3rd and 4th Street. (SEE MAP!)

Barracuda – America’s Heart Tribute with Opening Act Dan Shafer at 6:00 pm

Location: Waterfront Stadium 1 South Harbor, Grand Haven, MI, United States

Thursday, August 1, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Coast Guard Recruiting Presentation, FREE, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 

The U.S. Coast Guard is inviting job seekers between the ages of 17-41 to meet with local Coast Guard representatives who have the inside scoop on the latest bonuses!  If you want to travel, learn a trade, or just explore your options, come to their seminar and learn about the FREE tuition and healthcare benefits the Coast Guard offers, and see if you qualify for a signing bonus!

Location: Station Grand Haven 601 S. Harbor, Grand Haven, MI

Ship Tours - 10 am -12 pm, 1 pm -3 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm.  FREE 

FREE! USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn

Location: Escanaba Park

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2024 - 12 pm-11 pm. Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk.  This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!  

Location: Downtown, Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)

Cost: 12 pm-5 pm $25 armband  or  5 pm-11 pm $30 armband

Community Dinner (Hero & Legends Dinner) 5:30 pm (Private, invite only)

Honorees Dinner (Invitation only) - Starts at 5:30 pm

The VanHalen Invasion with Opening Act Dank Hill at 6:00 pm

Where: Waterfront Stadium 1 South Harbor, Grand Haven, MI

Tickets: $15

Friday, August 2, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Centennial Celebration Brunch (Invitation only) - Starts at 9:00am

Coast Guard Craft Fair - 9 am-6 pm FREE. Shop handmade arts and crafts! 

Location: Central Park, 421 Columbus, Grand Haven, MI

Ship Tours - 10 am -12 pm and 1 pm -3 pm. FREE 

FREE! USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn

Location: Escanaba Park

Walk of Coast Guard History -  12 pm (noon) FREE

Dedication of the newest point of Coast Guard History.

Location: Grand Haven City Hall, 519 Washington Avenue Grand Haven, MI

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2024 - 12 pm-11 pm

Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk.  This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!  

Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)

Cost:12 pm-5 pm $25 armband  or  5 pm-11 pm  $30 armband

Commanding Officers Reception (Hosted by the USCGC Spar)

2:30 pm PRIVATE

National Memorial Service PRIVATE 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

A moving tribute to those Coast Guard personnel who have died in the line of duty during the past year.

Location: Escanaba Park, 673 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI

The Modern Gentlemen with Opening Act Project 90

Location: Lake Michigan Credit Union Waterfront Stage

Tickets: $25.00

Saturday, August 3, 2024 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Events

Coast Guard Craft Fair - 9:00 am-5:00 pm FREE. Shop handmade arts and crafts! 

Location: Central Park

Ship Tours - 10 am -12 pm, 1 pm -3 pm. and 6 pm - 8 pm. FREE 

FREE! USCGC Spar, USCGC Mobile Bay, USCGC Morro Bay and USCGC Buckthorn

Location: Escanaba Park

Grand Parade -11:45 am FREE

See more than 100 entries salute the men & women of the United States Coast Guard in this annual event. 

Location: See our Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Map. The Grand Parade begins on Sheldon St at Colfax. 

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Carnival 2024 - 12 pm-11 pm

Carnival rides, family friendly games, food concessions, and guest amenities like an on-site ATM and help desk.  This is the place for family fun at the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival!  

Location: Harbor Front and Covenant Life parking lot (SEE MAP!)

Cost: Valid from 12pm-4pm: $20 armband; tickets only after 4pm

Yachtley Crew with Opening Act Nautic Bound/Fireworks at 6:30 pm

Location: Waterfront Stadium 1 South Harbor, Grand Haven, MI

Tickets: $35.00

Fun Pins for Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

Where to Park for Coast Guard Festival

Not gonna lie, parking is tricky if you get to the Coast Guard Festival later in the day or on the weekends. We enjoy parking at Chinook Pier and then walking to see the ships, carnival and other events.  Parking is free at Chinook Pier but fills up very quickly.  See our Map below for parking locations. 

Harbor Transit’s parking locations for the Coast Guard Saturday Park-and-Ride is TBD. 

Top Things To Do in Grand Haven Michigan!

After enjoying the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, be sure to stay in the area to enjoy the beach, state park, shops and more! 

Grab our Grand Haven guide for lots of fun ideas of things to do!

Visit nearby Saugatuck Michigan!  There are so many things to do like the chain ferry!

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