ALPENA, MI – There will be eight opportunities to board a tall ship and sail Thunder Bay during an upcoming maritime history festival in the heart of Michigan’s shipwreck alley. The Thunder Bay Maritime Festival is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, Aug. 21-23, in Alpena. This year’s lineup of events includes tall ship excursions, deck tours, hands-on family activities, Great Lakes exhibitors, the Battle of the Paddles River Race and rooftop spectating party, and a new community boat parade along the Thunder Bay River.
“Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary works to ensure future generations can enjoy the Great Lakes and appreciate their role in maritime history,” said Erin Pilarski, events manager for the sactuary. “Festivals like this enhance our ongoing efforts to foster connections and bring history to life.”
Festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Friday with the Battle of the Paddles. The race allows participants to choose their vessel: kayak, single canoe or standup paddle board; register online here for $15. Those who would rather watch can gather at the rooftop deck of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.
From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, exhibitors will be set up along the river near the heritage center. Activities will include deck tours of the “Inland Seas” tall ship, robot and scuba diving demonstrations, and the Imagination Playground from United Way. Further down the river, the Water Street Commons will have live music from 4-8 p.m.
Brand new to this year’s festival is the Alpena Chamber’s Thunder Bay Maritime Festival Lighted Boat Parade, scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday. Spectators can find a spot along the riverfront in downtown Alpena to watch creatively decorated and lit up boats go by.
Excursions aboard the “Inland Seas” are available all three days of the festival. Cruises are scheduled for 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday and Sunday. There are two cruises scheduled for Saturday: 10 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.; the later excursion will take part in the boat parade. The two-hour cruises are priced at $55 for adults and $35 for children.
Read more here.
https://www.mlive.com/life/2026/08/tall-ship-excursions-paddle-race-to-highlight-maritime-festival-in-the-heart-of-michigans-shipwreck-alley.html
