Offshoreonly.com - Harrison Offshore in the Paper

Harrison Offshore and it's partners Boat Town USA and Sunsation Powerboats are planning one of the largest powerboat events on the Great Lakes!

Yesterday's Macomb Daily Newspaper Coverage.

Boat parade is back, bigger and with added attractions
After last-minute cancellation last year, Rep. Miller pushes for revival
Monday, February 9, 2009 2:06 PM EST

By Mitch Hotts, Macomb Daily Staff Writer

When Congresswoman Candice Miller of Harrison Township learned the annual Festival of Lights was canceled in her hometown last year, she went to work to resurrect the boating attraction.

Miller — a former township supervisor who was among the event's founders — worked with Boat Town USA and Mount Clemens Mayor Barb Dempsey to not only revive but expand the event.

"I was so disappointed when it didn't happen last year because it's a fantastic event for the community," Miller said.

"And then when we talked about bringing it back, I felt we should do it in cooperation with Mount Clemens and have one big riverfest for a weekend celebration on the water."

As a result, this year's Festival of Lights will be part of a multi-day party July 23-29 that will include new attractions such as an offshore boat race and a summer rally at Metro Beach.

Plans call for the July 25 boat

parade to begin at the mouth of the Clinton River and proceed into Mount Clemens, ending at MacArthur Park in Mount Clemens. In the past, the procession started at Bridgeview and headed down the river to Metro Beach.

"Basically, we're turning the route around," Joiner said. "We used to start at the river and go to Metro Beach. This year we'll start at the mouth of the Clinton River up into Mount Clemens where they'll dock."

For more than two decades, residents in Harrison Township have gathered at dusk on festival night to watch the brightly colored boats gracefully float on the water.

Sailors at marinas along the river host lively parties and landlubbers line the street to catch a view of the action. Many homeowners also decorate their dwellings to join in the fun.

A drop in the number of sponsors and sailors last year forced the parade to cancel at the last minute as organizers blamed the economy and the lack of promotion for the abrupt demise

Soon after, Miller contacted Boat Town, a Harrison Township-based nonprofit organization that promotes the boating community, and the Mount Clemens mayor to work out a plan.

"This Parade of Lights is many times bigger than any other one we've ever planned in the past," said Steve Joiner, vice commodore for Boat Town.

Dempsey, the Mount Clemens mayor, said she and Miller have contacted a number of groups to line up sponsors and volunteers to publicize the festival.

"We're always interested in having family-oriented programs, especially in the warm weather. This will be a great time for people in both communities," Dempsey said.

While the schedule is still being tweaked, plans call for a walking pub crawl in Mount Clemens on July 23; a beer tent at MacArthur Park on July 24-25; a block party; CJ Barrymore's go-cart challenge; an antique boat show and parade; and a summer rally.

In addition, there will be an offshore boat race at Metro Beach and a poker run benefit for Michigan Special Olympics. Some marinas will also host events with live entertainment.

Harrison Township Supervisor Tony Forlini applauded the festival's resurrection.

"Our community really gets into this," he said. "People have backyard parties and restaurants along the route are pretty busy. It's a hometown event."

URL: http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/...0004666492.prt

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