GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is coming to a close this weekend, with some of the most highly-anticipated events happening on the very last day.
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Coast Guard Craft Fair will begin at 9 a.m. and run through 5 p.m. Ship tours will start just an hour later, running from 10 a.m. to noon.
While the Grand Parade doesn't kick off until 11:45 a.m., there will be road closures hours in advance.
This year, there are more than 100 entries in the parade.
Entries will be staged in the residential area near Lakeshore Middle School at 900 S. Cutler, beginning at 9:00 a.m. All streets within a two-block radius will be closed to accommodate the staging area.
In addition to this, no traffic will be allowed west of Eighth Street and Davis Street, on Washington, Franklin, Clinton, Pennoyer and Grant Streets.
At 10:30 a.m., the entire parade route will be closed. Traffic won't be allowed in the parade route or the roadways right next to the route.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety said residents on or near the parade route should have any guests arrive before 9 a.m. Once the roads are closed only parade participants and emergency vehicles will be allowed through.
The parade route will travel as follows:
The Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on Saturday night. The show is expected to begin around 10 p.m.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety said the following streets will be closed from 6:45 p.m. Saturday to 1:30 a.m. Sunday:
- Harbor Drive between Sherman and N. First
- Columbus from Harbor to First
- Washington from Harbor to First
- Clinton from Harbor to First
- Lafayette from Harbor to First
- Howard from Harbor to Sand
Police said Franklin Street will become “One Way” eastbound around 10 p.m. to accommodate traffic after the fireworks. Officers will be at each intersection on Franklin from Harbor to Beacon Blvd to assist with eastbound traffic and any cross traffic.
Seventh Street from Franklin north to US-31 will be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday through around 1:30 a.m. Sunday for safe traffic flow once the fireworks are over.
Police said there will be no parking on Franklin from Beacon Blvd to Harbor Drive to create an "Emergency Vehicle Only" lane from the downtown area from 6 p.m. on Saturday to 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Left-hand turns won't be permitted for northbound and southbound traffic on US-31 between Jackson and Robbins Road to prevent traffic backups.
GHDPS said those attempting to go north should use N. 3rd Street to US-31 North.
There will be multiple temporary “No Parking Tow Away” zones in place, which will be marked and strictly enforced.
The drawbridge will not be raised from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday through 2 a.m. on Sunday.
GHDPS said there will be large crowds and to expect traffic delays.
Parking information can be found here.