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ALPENA -- On Saturday in Alpena, boaters will decorate their boats and parade around the Thunder Bay River to show the off. The parade will help to cap off the Thunder Bay Maritime Festival.
The boat parade is only one of many events people will be able to enjoy during the Thunder Bay Maritime Festival , which begins on Friday.
The Thunder Bay Maritime Festival Venetian Night Lighted Boat Parade, which begins at 8 p.m. at the marina and moves up the river and back to the harbor and people can congregate on the river’s edge to get a look at the dressed-up vessels.
Anyone who sits on the riverbank should be able to get a good look at the boats as they show off their lights and decorations.
Alpena Chamber of Commerce President Paige Fisher said there used to be a boat parade before the COVID-19 pandemic and plans began being made to bring it back.
"We think it is a good, final hoorah for the festival," she said.
Fisher said so far, there are 12 boats that are entered to compete for awards in three categories, Best in Fleet, Best Illuminated, and Best Creativity.
Fisher said she is hopeful of more boats, from Alpena and beyond register before the event begins. She said anyone who wants to enter for free can contact the chamber or meet at the Alpena Yacht Club at 7 p.m. on Saturday to be included. Fisher said Alpena Harbormaster Kevin Fisher has sent out information to other harbors in the area to promote the event in an attempt to lure other boat owners to participate.
I hope we will get some that decide to visit from out of the area," she said. "The more the merrier."
"The boat parade will cap off the festival which will have the tall ship Inland Seas at port behind the sanctuary museum. From Friday through Sunday, There will be two-hour tall ship excursions, deck tours, hands-on family activities, Great Lakes exhibitors, as well as the Battle of the Paddles river race, and a rooftop party.
Also on Saturday, certified scuba divers can jump in on a unique opportunity to experience classic scuba diving using double-hose regulators as part of the events happening at the Maritime Festival. Led by the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), this hands-on event lets certified divers test out heritage dive gear in a safe, controlled environment.
The vintage diving event will be held at the Marine Technology Training Tank. Each session lasts about one and a half hours and there are a host of time slots available to choose from. For times, registration, and requirements, check out the Vintage Dive Days event page at https://thunderbayfriends.org.
There will also be live entertainment in downtown Alpena at the Water Street Commons from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.
During the day, there will also be underwater robots and vintage scuba diving demonstrations, Interactive Exhibitors from regional organizations such as: Michigan Sea Grant, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, United States Coast Guard, and much more.
“Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary works to ensure future generations can enjoy the Great Lakes and appreciate their role in maritime history. Festivals like this enhance our ongoing efforts to foster connections and bring history to life. We are excited to help bring the 2026 Thunder Bay Maritime Festival to the community,” Erin Pilarski, events manager at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, said in the release in late July.
For a complete list of events and times visit www.thunderbayfriends.org.