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MANISTEE — Manistee Harbor Tours will offer a unique perspective of the Onekama Days celebration when the Princess hosts a special sunset and fireworks cruise on Saturday, Aug. 8.
The 2 1/2-hour excursion will depart from the Princess dock in downtown Manistee and cruise north along the Lake Michigan shoreline before entering Portage Lake, where passengers will enjoy an on-the-water view of the annual Onekama Days fireworks display.
The evening cruise combines a Lake Michigan sunset with the fireworks finale, allowing passengers to take in shoreline scenery before the vessel pauses in Portage Lake for the show. An onboard bar will be open throughout the cruise, offering beer, wine, cocktails and other beverages for purchase.
Tickets are $60 for adults and $40 for children ages 3 and older.
The Princess of Manistee is a 65-foot former Mackinac Island ferry owned and operated by Capt. Albert “Wally” Laaksonen through Manistee Harbor Tours. Built in 1973 by DeFoe Shipbuilding Co. in Bay City as the Island Princess, the vessel originally operated for Arnold Transit between Mackinaw City, St. Ignace and Mackinac Island before later serving as a tour boat at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Laaksonen and his late father, Capt. Al Laaksonen, purchased the vessel in 2019. It began operating as the Princess of Ludington in 2020 before relocating to Manistee in 2021 because of dock availability, where it was renamed the Princess of Manistee. Today, the vessel accommodates up to 148 passengers and offers narrated sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, specialty excursions and private charters throughout the summer season.
The Onekama Days cruise includes:
- A sunset cruise aboard the Princess.
- A special stop in Portage Lake to watch the Onekama Days fireworks.
- Access to the Princess’ onboard bar.
Advance reservations are recommended. Additional information and tickets are available at manisteeharbortours.com.
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