Harbor Festival begins Friday night

LUDINGTON — The opening ceremony of the 2014 Harbor Festival will take place Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. at Waterfront Park. The opening ceremony will kick-off the 9 day festival which lasts until July 6. It will also commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Million Dollar Harbor Dedication and Water Jubilee, which marked the opening of the modern day Ludington harbor.

“We have put together 9 days of family friendly activities for people of all ages to enjoy” said Brandy Henderson, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), which coordinates the festival.

The opening ceremony will consist of music by a string quartet from Michigan State University, speeches by Mayor Ryan Cox and Dr. Bill Anderson as well as a ceremonial flower toss and a blessing of the harbor by Police Chief Mark Barnett.

Venetian Parade to follow

Following the opening ceremony at dusk, the Harbor Festival Venetian Parade will take place in the harbor. Boats will be decorated and parading through Pere Marquette Lake and out to the lighthouse and back for the public to see.

Judges will be located at Waterfront Park taking note of theme application, creativity and more. A $500 cash prize goes to the top winner. First, second and third places will be awarded.

Boaters are still able to sign-up through Wednesday, June 25 by contacting the Ludington Area CVB or Ludington Yacht Club.

The Venetian Parade is being coordinated by the Ludington Yacht Club in conjunction with the Ludington Area CVB.