Special Events

9^TH ANNUAL THUNDER BAY MARITIME FESTIVAL 
"FREE ADMISSION"....

Live Entertainment, Tall Ships & Boat Tours, Kids' Games and Activities, Food, Displays and Demonstrations.

Location: Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
500 West Fletcher Street,
Alpena, MI  49707

DIRECTIONS:

From US 23 North
Follow 23 Until you reach a stop light.  Turn Left onto Johnson/Miller St..
Turn Right onto Cedar St.  Straight at Stop Sign.
GLMHC is the Large Blue NOAA Building next to the paper mill

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From US 23 South/State Avenue
Follow 23 Until you reach a stop light. Turn Right onto 2nd Avenue.
Cross over the bridge.  Turn Left onto Fletcher Street>
Straight on Fletcher into the old paper mill complex.  GLMHC is the Large Blue NOAA building at the end of the parking lot.
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From M-32
Follow M-32 / Washington Avenue
Strait at the light on 2nd & Chisholm Street
Cross over the 2nd Avenue Bridge
Turn Left onto Fletcher Street.
Straight on Fletcher into the old paper mill complex.  GLMHC is the Large Blue NOAA building at the end of the parking lot.

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Entertainment Schedule...
11:00 a.m. ...Tongue Family String Band
12:00 p.m. ...Neptune Quartet
1:00 p.m....Song of the Lakes
1:30 p.m....Sponsor Recognition
2:30 p.m....Tongue Family String Band
3:30 p.m....Neptune Quartet
4:30 p.m....Song of the Lakes
National Hand Jive Competition

"Project Lakewell"
A special program called Project Lakewell will be located on Island Mill, accesible by a bridge at the back of the Center.  A cast of seven trained historical educators, will introduce visitors to French Voyageurs, Metis, other European characters and Michigan's first inhabitants, the Anishinabe.

"The Nina"
The Nina is a replica of the ship on which Columbus sailed across the Atlantic on his three voyages of discovery to the new world beginning in 1492.  Columbus sailed the tiny ship over 25,000 miles.  That ship was last heard of in 1501, but the new Nina has a different mission.  She is a floating museum, and visits ports all over the Western Hemisphere.

"Song of the Lakes"
Song of the Lakes have been repeatedly voted "Northern Michigan's Best Folk Artist."  Their high energy performances combine Celtic and Scandinavian traditions with Michigan maritime history in a show that weaves humor and lore, and inspires hand-clapping audience participation.

"Pinta"
The Pinta, was recently built in Brazil to accompany the Nina on all of her travels.  She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel and offers larger deck space for walk-aboard tours and has a 40 foot air conditioned main cabin down below with seating.  Visitors can watch a video on the building of the ship in Brazil.  The Pinta is available for private parties while in port.

"Neptune Quartet"
Formed in 2001, Neptune Quartet features acoustic bass, cello, guitar and mandolin.  The Lansing State Journal praised, "Neptune is essentially an acoustic chamber ensemble, with decidedly imaginative, adventurous leanings and - not surprisingly - a well-schooled sense of how to play jazz."

"Tongue Family String Band"
Steve, Amy, Abby, Lara and Emma Tongue make up the Tongue Family String Band, a family Celtic string band that has been active in the Northern Michigan music scene for the past two years.  Their show includes Irish step dance and audiences always enjoy the novelty of seeing a family that performs and dances together.

"Madeline"
The schooner Madeline is a reconstruction of a mid-19th century Great Lakes schooner and one of the State of Michigan's official tall ships.  She was built between 1985 and 1990 in Traverse City, Michigan by volunteer members of the non-profit group the Maritime Heritage Alliance.  Her mission is to serve as a floating center for the interpretation of Great Lakes maritime history.  She is open to visitors in her home port of Traverse City and travels to other Great Lakes ports.

Check out our web-site: www.thunderbay.noaa.gov 

For more information or any questions you may have
please contact: (989) 356-8805 or toll frees 1-800-4-ALPENA.