Join the Leelanau Historical Society on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 from 10:00am to 3:00pm for a celebration of Leelanau's dynamic maritime past! Come learn about the Peninsula’s vital and sometimes tragic connection to the Great Lakes. The third annual Leelanau Maritime History Festival will be hosted at the Leelanau Historical Society Museum (203 E. Cedar St. Leland, MI 49654). This year’s festival also marks the 19th annual LIVE exhibit “Wood Boats on the Wall”. Stroll the boardwalk along the Leland River to view classic wooden boats from around the region beginning at 10:00am. Chris-Craft, Century, Garwood and other vintage watercrafts will be present with their captains for viewing and questions.
This family-friendly festival offers free museum admission, featuring the “Shipwrecks of the Manitou Passage” Exhibit, lighthouse and ship models, Lighthouse Keeper Interpretation, and displays by area nonprofits and organizations whose missions are to preserve and share the region’s maritime culture, past and present. 2024 Festival Partners include: Leelanau Historical Society, Lake Leelanau Lake Association, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Historian & Author Kathy Firestone, Fox Island Lighthouse Association, Leelanau Clean Water, Inland Seas Education Association, North Manitou Light Keepers, Leland Township Library, and Grand River Navigation.
In addition, free face and arm painting by Habibit Story will be offered along with kid’s activities such as, “Stations of the Storm” by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Maritime Stories and Songs with Luunappi. Enjoy live music by two local musicians, Luke Woltanski, and Traverse City based Celtic group Rigs & Jeels.
The Leelanau Historical Society’s recent State History Award winning film “Lake Leelanau, Spirit of the Lake” will be shown twice throughout the day. Catch the free 11:30 am or 2:00 pm showing of this captivating documentary that dives into the history and nostalgia of Lake Leelanau – a cherished body of water in Leelanau County, MI. Produced by the Leelanau Historical Society and directed by Keith Patterson of Manitou Films.
Donations in support of the Leelanau Historical Society are welcome. Visit the website for a detailed schedule. LeelanauHistory.org/Events or call 231-256-7475.
Special thanks to Leelanau Classics for sponsoring this festival. Interested in being a Festival Partner or Sponsor? Contact Kim at 231-256-7475.