Waterways Festival 2018; Shaping Up to be Full of Fun for the Whole Family

This year, The Cheboygan Chamber of Commerce Waterways Festival, presented by First Community Bank will be held June 29, 30 and July 1.  In an effort to entertain the whole family, we have carefully planned several new events that are sure to be fun and exciting.

Although the festival itself will begin on Friday June 29th, we are going to kick things off the evening of June 28th with the first of our Summer Concert Series in Washington Park.  While the entertainment has not been confirmed, it is sure to be a great evening of music for the entire family.  At dusk, there will be a movie in the park geared toward children, but enjoyable for everyone.  We are still in the planning stages, so we can’t announce too much this early but,  there  will very likely will be other surprises to kick off the Waterways Festival the evening of  June 28th as well.

Friday June 29th, will be the always popular kids day in Washington Park.  There will be games, entertainment, a brand new pet show, arts and crafts and much more.  Lighthouse tours, exclusive Waterways merchandise available at participating merchants, water safety information, afternoon tea at Sweet Laurel Annie’s Tea Room inside Secrets on Main and many more events and happenings around Cheboygan.   Festival Square will open late afternoon with more entertainment and fun.  This year,  Cheboygan’s own Brew House Band will be headlining the Friday music stage.   There will be food and great live music all evening and into the night.  Make plans to meet your friends downtown for dinner and enjoy the sounds of the Brew House Band!  Be sure to save some energy for Saturday, you won’t want to miss a thing!

Saturday June 30th, it all starts with the 1st Annual Waterways Festival 5K Red Kettle Run Family Fun Run, sponsored by EXIT Realty Premier.  This is still in the planning stages, but all proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army.  At 8:00 am the Cheboygan Farmers Market opens at Festival Square.  Make your way downtown for breakfast, stroll the market and pick up a snack for later in the day, spend the morning picking up your exclusive Waterways merchandise downtown and take in a lighthouse tour.  Make plans to view the Open Water Challenge Kayak race, and see world class kayakers in action.  Step back in time with a visit to the Historical Society Museum, rent a pontoon boat and cruise the Inland Waterway, or just lay a blanket out on the bank of the Cheboygan river in Washington Park and watch the boaters pass by.  Watch for the official program for the 2018 Waterways Festival for a complete listing of all festival events. At 2:00 pm, head down to Festival Square for some good old fashioned family fun with Virgil Baker and the Just 4 fun polka band.  They will be entertaining the crowd all afternoon with polkas and lots of fun.  When the sun starts setting, Festival Square will start heating up with the always popular, high energy band, Jedi Mind Trip! You definitely won’t want to miss this show.  Wear comfortable shoes, because you’ll be dancing the night away to a variety of great tunes!

Sunday July 1st, after a pancake breakfast, take a kayak tour of the ship wrecks, build a sandcastle at the beach, visit the 7th Annual Wooden Boat Show or listen to the stories of time gone by 
while on a cemetery tour!  More events to be added, look for the official Waterways Festival program sometime in late May.

Be sure to plan a “Staycation” during the Waterways Festival, explore the beauty of our Inland Waterway and celebrate this gorgeous area we are fortunate enough to call home!