Grand rising, West Michigan. The 100th Annual Coast Guard Festival officially starts tomorrow, get excited folks! ⛴️ 🇺🇸 🎆 

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• Inland Lake Levels 🌊

• Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim 🏊️ 

• Leigh’s Brewing 🍺 

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim

Registration is now open for the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim, set to take place on July 26, 2025, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck. This extraordinary event consists of a 17-stage, 411-mile relay swim that will commence at the site of the shipwreck in Lake Superior and conclude in Detroit, the intended destination of the ill-fated vessel. Seventeen teams, each made up of four relay swimmers, will participate in this relay by passing iron ore pellets from the dock in Superior, Wisconsin, to dignitaries in Detroit. Organized by Jim Dreyer, renowned for his Great Lakes swims, the event will also be documented for a film. The swim will begin with a memorial ceremony at the wreck site and will culminate at Belle Isle in Detroit, where the Mariners' Church will ring its bell 29 times to commemorate the 29 crew members who lost their lives in the tragedy. Participants will navigate various waterways, including the St. Marys River and Lake Huron. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) and contribute to the preservation of the Whitefish Point Light Station. The Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a storm on November 10, 1975, while carrying over 26,000 long tons of iron ore, and all 29 crew members aboard perished, with the wreck lying in Canadian waters. If you have it in you register here.

Great Lakes Piping Plover Record Breeding

The 2023 breeding season for Great Lakes piping plovers has set a record with 81 unique pairs, surpassing last year’s 80 pairs and marking the highest count since the species gained Endangered Species Act protections in 1984. So far, 107 wild chicks have fledged, with an expectation of 21 more, while scientists at the University of Michigan Biological Station anticipate 17 captive-reared chicks will also fledge. Despite challenges—including 16 lost nests due to predation, weather, and other factors—the annual migration cycle has begun, with many plovers already reported at their wintering grounds as noted in conservationist Stephanie Cabala Schubel’s July 23 report.

Law Easing Michigan Inland Lake Level Management

On July 23, 2023, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 662, which offers greater flexibility for counties and authorities managing inland lake levels. The legislation allows temporary variations in water levels due to weather events, natural occurrences, or construction activities, thereby easing the strict maintenance standards set by a 2022 Michigan Court of Appeals ruling. With a narrow passage in the Senate (20-18) and House (68-42), the bill modifies the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to define a court-ordered "normal level" as a target rather than a strict requirement, facilitating necessary adjustments for recreational and environmental purposes. Additionally, it eliminates borrowing caps for certain dam construction projects, addressing the lack of infrastructure on many of Michigan’s 352 regulated lakes, of which 180 lack controllable spillways. While the bill has backing from environmental groups, it has been met with criticism from riparian owner organizations and local officials who believe it undermines essential lake management protections.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Muskegon Sand Docks

The Sand Docks waterfront housing development in Muskegon, MI, is set for review by the City Commission on July 23. Originally proposed in 2018 for an 80-acre site in the former Pigeon Hill area, this $100 million project features 240 units, private docks, and a marina. Construction faced delays due to wetland permit issues, leading to a revised plan that removed about 40 single-family homes but added multifamily units while maintaining housing density. The updated proposal includes around 75 waterfront units, enhances public access along Muskegon Lake to 85%, and will address concerns from neighboring residents about density and environmental impact.

Leigh's Brewing Company To Open In Holland

Leigh’s Brewing Company plans to open in the former Hopland Brewstillery location in Holland Township. On July 18, the company received approval from the township’s board of trustees for a liquor license, including three new manufacturer licenses for producing beer, wine, and spirits. The business will provide 46 seats and operate from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., though specific days of operation have not been determined. The brewery will not serve food. Jessica Ringling, representing Leigh's, stated that the idea stemmed from her father, Lee, who enjoyed the community atmosphere at Hopland Brewstillery.

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN

MUSKEGON

Thursday - Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Muskegon County Fair - Steak Fry Fundraiser 8am-7pm

Ross Park - Water Ski Show 7pm

Movie Trivia night at Wonderland Distillery 7-9pm

Free Thursdays at Muskegon Museum of Art

Friday - Muskegon Pro-Am Salmon Tournament 6am-8pm

Hackley Park Parties in the Park - the Budweiser Clydesdales 4pm

Muskegon County Fair - Horse Speed and Action Show 6pm

Muskegon County Fair - Retro 80's 5k Glow Trail Run 8pm

Saturday - Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Muskegon Pro-Am Salmon Tournament 6am-8pm

Muskegon County Fair - Craft and Vendor Show 9am-2pm

Muskegon County Fair - T-N-T Demolition Derby 5pm

Sunday - Muskegon Pro-Am Salmon Tournament 6am-8pm

7585 Sternberg Road - Fourth Annual Bark-a-Thon 10am-1pm

Monday - Pigeon Hill Trivia Night 7pm

Muskegon County Fairgrounds - Muskegon County Fair 8am-7pm

GRAND HAVEN

Thursday- Spring Lake Farmers Market 9am-2pm

Mill Point Park - Music At The Point 7pm

Friday - 100th Annual Coast Guard Festival

Loutit Library Friday Matinee 2-4pm

Waterfront Stadium - Friday Night Concert Series 6-8:30pm

Saturday- Coast Guard City USA Run 7:30am

Grand Haven Farmers Market 8am-1pm

Waterfront Stadium - Cardboard Boat Race 1:30pm

Sunday - Flea on 7th 10am-4pm

Coast Guard Festival Community Picnic 2-5pm

Waterfront Stadium - Praise By The Pier 6:30pm

HOLLAND

Thursday - Ottawa County Fair 8:30am-11pm

Music at Sandy Point Beach House 6pm

Jack H. Miller Center - Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition 2024 4pm

Downtown Holland - Street Performer Series 6:30pm

Downtown Zeeland - Music On Main 6pm

Friday - Kollen Park - Summer Concert Series 6:30pm

Ottawa County Fair 8:30am-11pm

West Michigan Regional Airport - Food Truck Fridays 11-2pm

Jack H. Miller Center - Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition 2024 4pm

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 8-2pm

Ottawa County Fair 8:30am-11pm

Yoga In The Park Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway 8am

Jack H. Miller Center - Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition 2024 7pm

Monday - Downtown Zeeland - Zeelmania 6-8pm

Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

Check out live music at RedRock Grille

WEATHER

Thursday

77 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️  | 1% | 💨 NNW 9 mph (8 knots)

Friday

80 🌡️ 60 | ☀️ | 1% | 💨 SSW 7 mph (6 knots)

Saturday

81 🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | 11% | 💨 SW 8 mph (7 knots)

Sunday

82 🌡️ 70 | 🌦️ | 68% | 💨 S 8 mph (7 knots)

Monday

81 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ | 40% | 💨 SSW 12 mph (10 knots)

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

The Deck I Sonimanic I 6pm

Dockers I Big Daddy Fox I 5pm

Mill Point Park I Wyatt & Shari Knapp I 7pm

Grand Armory I Mark Lavengood I 6:30pm

Waterfront Stadium I Dank Hill and Domestic Problems I 5pm

Lucy’s I Brian Fedewa I 6pm

Kirby House I Elliot Sylvie I 6pm

The Park Theatre I Short Panic & Coyote Fire I 7pm

New Holland Brewing I DJ Dr. Joel I 7pm

Zeeland Music On Main I Klay N The Mud I 6pm

Boatwerks I Greg Miller I 5:30pm

The Butler I Chris Clayton Loop I 5:30pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I JP Peters I 7pm

Friday

The Deck I The Legal Immigrants I 6pm

Dockers I Spike The Media I 6pm

Rake Beer Project I Bri Baron I 8pm

Muskegon County Fair I Bernadette Kathryn and the Lonely Days Band I 7pm

Aquastar Cruises I 2 Dudes In Flips Flops I 8pm

Lucy’s I Carl Webb I 7pm

Eagles 925 I Guinness Brothers I 8pm

Odd Side Ales I Nocturnal Lights Trio I 8-11pm

Waterfront Stadium I 21 Gun Salute - AC/DC Tribute I 6pm

Kirby House I Mike Talbot I 3pm

Kirby House I Elliot Sylvie I 9pm

The Park Theatre I Rip Smidgeon + Main Export + Dimes + Conner Okane I 7pm

Itty Bitty Bar I 10 Years Late I 9pm

Hops at 84 East I Nate Holley I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Whiskey Bound I 8pm

Saturday

The Deck I Post Fountaine I 2pm

The Deck I Twice The Action I 7pm

Dockers I J.P. Dutton I 1pm

Dockers I JP & The Energy I 6pm

Pigeon Hill I Brett Bouchard I 7pm

Unruly Brewing I Liquid Radio I 8pm

Pinecrest Bar & Lanes I BonFire Rose I 6pm

Waterfront Stadium I Simply Queen I 6pm

Lucy’s I Jake Oakey I 3:30pm

Lucy’s I The Reverend Jesse Ray I 7pm

Eagles 925 I Rocket Queen & Let There Be Rock I 8pm

Kirby House I Mike McIntosh I 4pm

Kirby House I Electric Flower Company I 9pm

Sandy Point Beach House I Dunegrass I 6pm

Hops at 84 East I Ten Peso Version + Ruben Resendiz Jr. I 8pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Pretty Rage I 9pm

Boatwerks I Jake Ford I 5:30pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Trixy Tang I 8pm

The Butler I Francesca Amari Duo I 5:30pm

Sunday

The Deck I Zion Lion I 12pm

The Deck I PS Dump Your Boyfriend I 5pm

Dockers I That Beatles Thing I 3pm

Red Rooster Tavern I Mason Grady I 4pm

Lucy’s I Live Music I 12pm

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5pm

Sandy Point Beach House I Rory McCallan I 5pm

Kirby House I Megan Stark & Curt Hines I 3pm

Boatwerks I Serita’s Black Rose Duo I 5:30pm

The Butler I Mary Rademacher Duo I 5:30pm

Monday

The Deck I Sophia Macintosh I 6pm

Waterfront Stadium I Silver Stallion I 6pm

RedRock Grille I Mike Hyde I 5:30pm

SPORTS

Thursday - Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians 1:10 pm

Friday - Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins 6:40pm

Saturday - Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins 6:10pm

Sunday - Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins 1:40pm

Monday - Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians 6:40pm

Past Results

Tigers lost 1-2 to Guardians

THANKS!

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