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Nautical Festival a go for August

The Nautical City Festival in Rogers City is a go this summer after the festival board agreed to move forward with the popular event.

It will be held Aug. 3-8.

Festival co-chair Kim Margherio said popular events like the pageant and parade will be held as normal and planning for the men’s and women’s softball tournaments are ongoing. She said live entertainment in the big tent is also on the schedule.

Margherio said the festival board will abide by all state’s COVID-19 regulations, but, as of now, plans are moving forward as if the events will go off without a hitch.

“We’ll follow the guidelines of the state and do what we are allowed to do, and whatever we’re not allowed to do, we won’t do,” she said.

Margherio said the festival is important to residents of Rogers City and many others. She said hosting the event this year, after it was canceled in 2020, will help to boost the spirits of the people who have missed out on a lot during the pandemic.

“The festival is a time where people come together to support one another, have fun, socialize, and support local small businesses,” Margherio said. “I think that is important, especially as we come out of the pandemic.”

Margherio said a lot of pieces are in place to host the festival. She said the contracts that were in place for 2020, are good for this year.

“The beauty of this is the deposits for the bands, fireworks are still being held,” she said. “So, pretty much everything is booked and ready to go.”

Margherio said the two featured bands on the weekend are Mustang Sally, and Tommy K. On Aug. 5, there will be a new event. She said the band Borderline will perform and the proceeds will go toward the fireworks display in 2022.

This is Margherio’s first go-round as co-chair–Matt Mertz is the other co-chair–and she said the effort and dedication of those before her has helped set the stage for this year’s event. She said without the effort of everyone involved over the years, the festival would struggle to survive.

“We appreciate all of the folks who have worked so hard to make this festival possible,” Margherio said. “It is their hard work that has made it possible for so many years. It is a lot of hard work and it is appreciated.”

The organizers of the festival are searching for volunteers to help with the many events during it. Margherio said anyone interested in lending a hand can contact the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce at 989-734-2535.

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