Reporting Aboard
Grand Haven, also known as "Coast Guard City, USA," is home to Station Grand Haven, Sector Field Office Grand Haven, and electronic Support Detachment Grand Haven. Although there are four other "Coast Guard Cities" in the US, only Grand Haven is authorized to be called "Coast Guard City, USA" and was granted this privilege by Congress in November 3, 1998.
The pride that Grand Haven has for the Coasties that call it home has translated into the Coast Guard Festival that is held every summer. During the two week festival, there are concerts, parades, carnival rides, and plenty of activities for young and old. Coast Guard cutters, buoy tenders, and tugs from around the Great Lakes and as far away as the east coast come to open their doors and hatches to the public during the parade of ships. The yearly attendance can exceed 350,000 people.
Grand Haven is also home to the world's largest musical fountain, which serenades the town nightly during the summer months. The beautiful Grand River boardwalk winds from downtown Grand Haven along the river to the light house on Lake Michigan. Beautiful beaches await the sun worshippers that flock to Grand Haven each summer. There are plenty of outdoor sports like hiking, sport fishing, and four wheeling during the summer, and snowboarding, ice fishing, and skiing/snowboarding in the winter. No matter what your interests are, Grand Haven and the surrounding area can accommodate them all!