70th Annual Grand Rapids Boat Show Reports Impressive Crowds, Sales & Dealer Satisfaction

Organizers, attendees and exhibitors at the 70th Annual Grand Rapids Boat Show, which was held last week at DeVos Place, are all reporting positive feedback and touting the fact that Michigan boating is back! A West Michigan tradition since 1946, the Grand Rapids Boat Show is Michigan’s longest running boat show.

ShowSpan Inc., which produces the show—in addition to 14 others throughout Michigan and Milwaukee—said just under 25,000 guests came through the doors between February 18-22 to check out more than 400 boats from some 100 manufacturers and 40 dealers, spread out over a five acre indoor showroom.

“The 70th anniversary of the Grand Rapids Boat Show was spectacular…..just what the boating families needed in the midst of this arctic freeze, it was truly summertime at DeVos Place as every aspect of the boating lifestyle came to life,” says Henri Boucher, Show Producer. “The dealers and manufacturers showed the newest products for summer fun and the largest crowd of ten years came to check it all out.”

According to the Secretary of State, Michigan currently ranks 4th in nation for the number of registered watercraft, with 898,289 as of February, 2015. Michigan's registered boaters spend $873 million on trips during the relatively short boating season. Overall, recreational boating contributes about $2 billion annually to Michigan’s economy. Tourism as a whole is a $20+ billion industry in Michigan.

“The weekend traffic was fabulous and the buyers were there,” says Liz Carney, President of Grand Bay Marine in Traverse City and Charlevoix, who this year featured the Queen of the Show—a 42-foot Regal Sport Coupe. “We were thrilled with the interest and actual sales. It’s going to be a fabulous year!”

The National Marine Manufacturer’s Association says that in 2013, the latest data year available, Michigan ranked #4 in total new marine expenditures (new boats, engines, trailers, and marine accessories) with $678 million. This was an increase of 5% over 2012. There are approximately 1,404 boating businesses that create about 16,670 direct boating industry jobs in Michigan.

“We are thrilled to have exhibited in a show where everyone who stopped by to see our boats was excited and looking forward to the upcoming boating season,” says Rick Venner of Walstrom Marine in Harbor Springs. “Not once did I hear anyone talking about the poor economy, fuel prices or politics, instead the atmosphere was positive. Michigan boating is back!”

In addition to the variety of boats, the Grand Rapids Boat Show also featured accessories, services, destinations, educational opportunities and various entertainment elements throughout the weekend.

“We have been involved with the show since 2013, and it is obvious that it has grown each year by adding more exhibits to both the business of boating and to appeal to a family atmosphere,” says Elek Hutchinson, Commodore of the Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association. “I have not seen so many kids at a boat show as I did this year—it was wonderful! It's nice to know that groups such as ShowSpan are promoting to the youth of America, a necessity to grow an ever-evolving industry.”

ShowSpan Inc., held its first show in 1946 and today hosts 14 the state’s largest and most recognized consumer shows in Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Novi and Milwaukee.

“In a few weeks, the 70th annual partner to the Boat Show—the Ultimate Sport Show-Grand Rapids—comes to DeVos Place (March 19-22), featuring more summer fun for all outdoorsmen and women,” Boucher says. “People will find everything from fishing and hunting to taxidermy and morels. And, for the 70th anniversary, the Lumberjacks are back!”

Keweenaw Excursions Celebrates 5th Anniversary in Charlevoix with October 4 Cruise

In September, 2009, brothers and captains Kraig and Jason Funkey left their hometown along the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to make a new home for themselves and their Keweenaw Star in Charlevoix. That next summer, they launched their first trip out of their new port and today, Keweenaw Excursions is proud to celebrate its 5th Anniversary in this Lake Michigan community.

A celebratory cruise is planned for Saturday, October 4 from 5-9pm. The evening will include complimentary appetizers, cash bar and music. Tickets for the anniversary cruise are just $5 per person and space is limited. Tickets are available by calling 231-237-9365.

The Keweenaw Star was originally a crew boat designed to ship crew and supplies to oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. She was commissioned in 1981 and was originally named the Atlantic Star. The boat was then converted to a cruise ship and the Funkey's (Jason, Kraig and their father, Fred) purchased her in May of 2000 in South Carolina. Renamed the Keweenaw Star, the Funkeys ran a tour company in the Houghton-Hancock area on the Keweenaw Peninsula for nearly 10 years.

Fred is trained as a diesel mechanic with a degree from Ferris State University. He began his captain’s career in his hometown area of Houghton/Hancock in the Keweenaw Peninsula. His first gig was owner/ operator of the Lighthouse Boat Cruise – the Star of Keweenaw – in Copper Harbor in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His work took him throughout the Great Lakes region, including running the Voyager II out to Isle Royale and the Island Princess for the Apostle Island Tours. Over his nearly 50 year career he’s also captained oil rig boats in the Gulf of Mexico

Kraig and Jason both began working alongside their dad aboard the Star of Keweenaw and Isle Royale Queen as young boys and teenagers. Both brothers also earned their original captain’s licenses in Duluth, MN. Kraig also honed his skills aboard the Voyager II, captained a charter fishing boat in Copper Harbor and worked in the Gulf of Mexico and has a 100-ton master captain’s license. Jason later went to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City to obtain an unlimited tonnage mates license with a first class pilot’s endorsement.

Upcoming Events:

• September 24 (6-8pm) Historic Sunset Cruise
• September 27-29 3-Day Fall Color Cruise
• October 4 (5-9pm) 5th Anniversary Cruise
• October 11 (3-5pm) Historic Fall Color Cruise

2015 Excursions:

• June 22-25 Explore the Door (Door County Wisconsin)
• July 13-16 Lights of the Sunrise Side
• July 20-23 Soo Grand Tour
• August 3-4 3 Days, 3 Great Lakes

With a capacity of 130 passengers, the Keweenaw Star offers a range of cruises from mid-May through mid-October, including sunset tours, sightseeing trips and multi-day lighthouse and ship-watching cruises. The boat is also available for private charters, for events such as corporate outings, weddings, rehearsal dinners and reunions.

KEWEENAW EXCURSIONS
109 Bridge Park Drive
Charlevoix, MI 49720

231-237-9365
KeweenawExcursions@gmail.com
www.KeweenawExcursions.com
www.facebook.com/KeweenawExcursions
www.twitter.com/KeweenawStar

Keweenaw Excursions Offers 3-Day Fall Color Tour Through the St. Mary’s River and Beyond

There’s no better way to soak up the fall colors of Pure Michigan than from the water. Keweenaw Excursions is offering a 3-day excursion that will take passengers up the St. Mary’s River, through the Soo Locks and into Lake Superior, aboard its 110-foot Keweenaw Star. The trip runs Saturday, September 27* through Monday, September 29.

The trip begins Saturday morning at the State Docks in the village of DeTour, in the eastern Upper Peninsula. From there, the Star will travel north to explore the hundreds of tree-filled islands of Potagannissing Bay, through the North Channel of Georgian Bay and over to the Canadian town of Bruce Mines, to view the lighthouse at McKay Point. From there, its west past Sister Rock lighthouse and through the narrows of the Wilson Channel, then over to the north side of St. Joseph Island, which should be ablaze in fall colors. Just past the Shoal Island Lighthouse, the Star enters the St. Mary’s River in the Middle Neebish Channel and heads north toward Sault Ste Marie. The evening concludes with a trip through the Soo Locks and out into Lake Superior, before returning to Sault Ste Marie for the night.

Sunday offers options for passengers. The first is to board a bus for trip to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point in the town of Paradise, including a stop at nearby Point Iroquois Lighthouse.+

Or, those wishing to stay and explore Sault Ste Marie can take in attractions such as the Museum Ship Valley Camp, Tower of History and the viewing platform for the Soo Locks, for up-closing viewing of the transiting freighters.

On Monday, the Star begins her voyage south down the St. Mary’s River, with passage through the famed Rock Cut and back to the dock in DeTour.

Cost for the excursion is $475 per person, based on double occupancy ($550 per person, single occupancy) and includes transportation, two night’s accommodations at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste Marie as well as a gaming package, and most meals. Space is limited and reservations are required by calling 231-237-9365.

The Keweenaw Star offers a full cash bar with snacks, as well as a climate-controlled main cabin, full dining room, walk-around main deck and open-air top deck.

Operating since 2000 Keweenaw Excursions is owned and operated by brothers Jason and Kraig Funkey. The company originated in Houghton, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and moved to Charlevoix in 2009. With a capacity of 130 passengers, the Keweenaw Star offers a range of cruises from mid-May through mid-October, including sunset tours, sightseeing trips and multi-day lighthouse and ship-watching cruises. The boat is also available for private charters, for events such as corporate outings, weddings, rehearsal dinners and reunions.

*A block of rooms has been set up at the Cedarville Lodge in the town of Cedarville, just 20 minutes from the State Dock in Detour, for $79 for Thursday and Sunday evenings, for those needing additional accommodations. Be sure to ask for the Keweenaw Excursion block when making reservations.

+The bus tour option is an added $55 per person and includes transportation, admission to both museums and lunch at Whitefish Point, and is limited to the first 57 passengers.

www.KeweenawExcursions.com
www.facebook.com/KeweenawExcursions
www.twitter.com/keweenawstar

Hops & Props Craft Beer and Classic Boat Show Returns to Downtown Manistee, Sept. 12-14

Downtown Manistee will be brewing as the 3rd Annual Hops & Props Craft Beer and Classic Boat Show returns to the riverfront, Sept. 12-14. Tickets for all festival events go on sale Friday, August 1 online here.

“Last year, we had close to 2000 attendees and we expect this year’s event will be even bigger,” says Patrick Kay, director of the Manistee Main Street Downtown Development Authority.

The festival weekend kicks off on Friday with a reception at the Boathouse Grill, from 5-9pm. Tickets are $10 and are limited.

Saturday’s festivities run throughout the day and include a Boat Show, featuring the Century Boat Club, from 9am to 3pm along the Riverwalk. As many as 40 classic and wooden boats are expected to line the riverfront, both in and out of the water, in an event that has called Manistee home now for 57 years.

Saturday also features an Art’s Alive Art & Artisan Fair from 10am-6pm directly beside the main event space and live music from Noon to 6pm in front of the Marina.

A VIP Beer Tasting begins Saturday at 11:30am and runs until 1pm and includes 15 tasting tickets, a private gathering and lunch with the brewers, a commemorative tasting glass, custom polo shirt and admission to the main beer event. Limited tickets are available for this special preview, at $50 per person.

The Michigan Craft Beer Tasting takes place from 1-6pm along the downtown streets. Tickets are $20 per person and includes 10 tasting tickets. Nearly two dozen Michigan breweries are expected to participate. Several downtown restaurants will also be featuring “Michigan Beer Tap Take Over” offerings, from 6pm until Midnight.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with a Boater’s Brunch from 9-11am in the lobby of the Ramsdell Inn. Tickets are $15 per person.

For more information on Hops & Props, including the list of participating breweries, log onto VisitManistee.com and click on the “Events & Festivals” tab.

Downtown Manistee is home to nearly 150 businesses and community resources, many overlooking the Manistee River Channel and the Riverwalk, with a Central Business District listed on the “National Register of Historic Places.”

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of the City of Manistee is an independent, special taxing district created in 1982. The DDA encourages redevelopment and revitalization and is an active participant in economic development, marketing and the stimulation of private investment.