Grand rising, West Michigan. The 100th Annual Coast Guard Festival is in full effect on lakeshore! Enjoy all the fun activities with loved ones 🎡 🚢 🎆 

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• Muskegon Park Renovations 🔨 

• Where Tourists Are Coming From 🧳 

• Life Size Robotic Dinosaurs 🦖 

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

Where Are West Michigan Tourists Coming From

The Great Lakes attract visitors from around the globe, with many frequent vacationers hailing from the Midwest. AirDNA, a software company that analyzes data from 10 million Airbnb listings in 120,000 markets worldwide, identified the top cities of origin for vacationers in Michigan's coastal regions. According to AirDNA, the majority of guests on Michigan's west coast come from Chicago (36%), followed by Detroit and Indianapolis. For northern Michigan, the primary visitors are again from Detroit, Chicago, and Grand Rapids. The Upper Peninsula also attracts travelers from Minneapolis and Madison. Traverse City has a significant number of short-term rental listings and ranks visitor origins similarly, with the highest number coming from Detroit, followed by Chicago and Grand Rapids. Recent AirDNA forecasts indicate that Michigan's western and northern coasts rank second and tenth for the lowest growth projections, attributed to declining populations in Detroit and Chicago. This decline in population does not reflect the socioeconomic changes, as Chicago's wealthier residents may still maintain travel habits despite the overall population decrease. The growth predictions do not account for potential short-term rental bans that could further impact tourism.

Muskegon Park Renovations

Beginning in 2024, five parks in Muskegon will receive major upgrades following community feedback. The selected parks—Norman F. Kruse Park, Richards Park, McGraft Park, Campbell Field, and Hartshorn Marina—were chosen from 40 city parks based on input collected through community events and an online survey that ended on July 30, 2023.

A consultant’s 2022 parks and recreation master plan assessed the parks' conditions to support grant applications for funding. Hartshorn Marina, Muskegon's only publicly owned marina, will see enhanced greenspace, picnic areas, and paved paths. Campbell Field will be renovated with new facilities, including a picnic shelter and fitness stations, while McGraft Park will add trail connections and a food truck plaza. Richards Park will benefit from improved fishing access and parking. Norman F. Kruse Park plans include boardwalk repairs and a nature-themed playground. Construction is expected to start in 2025, taking several years for completion.

Life Size Dinosaurs

John Ball Zoo has introduced an exciting new exhibit called “Dino Adventures,” featuring 22 life-size replica dinosaurs that showcase scientifically accurate behaviors, such as mothering and feeding. Visitors are greeted by an Omeisaurus at the entrance, and as they make their way inside, they can hear the roar of a T-Rex and observe various other dinosaurs in the vicinity. To enhance the experience, QR codes are available throughout the zoo, providing an interactive map that highlights the locations of the dinosaurs, while information boards offer detailed insights about each species. Most of the dinosaur displays are situated in the Idema Forest Realm, where a Triceratops and a T-Rex are positioned closely together, and the area also features a dinosaur fossil dig pit where guests can uncover dinosaur bones. The “Dino Adventures” exhibit is included with the price of a daily zoo ticket, starting at $16.95 for youth and seniors, and $21.95 for adults, while members can enjoy free entry. This captivating exhibit will be on display until Sunday, November 10.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Foxtail Coffee To Open In Holland

Foxtail Coffee is set to open on Friday, August 9, at 55 E. Eighth St. The company, founded in Florida in 2016, will occupy the former Ferris Coffee location. The space has been renovated with rustic decor, new seating, and a full craft coffee menu featuring seasonal drinks, light food, and merchandise. Additionally, it will display a hand-painted mural by lakeshore artist Sue Mulder. More info here.

Grand Haven’s Floto’s Closing After 78 Years

Floto's Gifts, a shop in downtown Grand Haven since the 1940s, will close by the end of summer. The owner, Paul Ellingboe, aims to sell all items in the store, which has served locals and tourists for 78 years. Originally opened in 1946 as Floto's Home Appliances, the shop was damaged by fire in 1955 and later reopened as Floto's Gifts. Customers are currently purchasing remaining items, including glasses, silverware, furniture, and paintings. Ellingboe has worked in the shop since childhood and plans to retire, stating, "Life's too short, you have to do things other than work."

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Check out this beauty in Holland

WHAT’S HAPPENIN

MUSKEGON

Thursday - Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Movie Trivia night at Wonderland Distillery 7-9pm

Free Thursdays at Muskegon Museum of Art

Friday - Hackley Park Parties in the Park 4pm

Saturday - Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Sunday - The Dirty Dog Bar and Grille - Pinups for Pups & Car Show 4-7pm

Monday - Pigeon Hill Trivia Night 7pm

GRAND HAVEN

Thursday- Spring Lake Farmers Market 9am-2pm

Coast Guard Ship Tours 

Carnival 12-11pm

Mill Point Park - Music At The Point 7pm

Waterfront Stadium Live Music 6pm

Friday - 17th Annual Summer Craft & Artisan Market 9am-6pm

Coast Guard Craft Fair 9am-6pm

100th Annual Coast Guard Festival

Coast Guard Ship Tours

Carnival 12-11pm

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

Saturday- 17th Annual Summer Craft & Artisan Market 9am-6pm

Coast Guard Craft Fair 9am-5pm

Grand Haven Farmers Market 8am-1pm

Coast Guard Grand Parade 11:45am

Coast Guard Ship Tours

Carnival 12-11pm

Waterfront Stadium Live Music & Fireworks 6pm

Sunday - Waterfront Stadium - Praise By The Pier 6:30pm

HOLLAND

Thursday - Big Red Classic Sport Fishing Tournament 6:15am-7pm

Tanglewood Winery Food Truck & Live Music

Downtown Holland - Street Performer Series 6:30pm

Downtown Zeeland - Music On Main 6pm

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

Big Red Classic Sport Fishing Tournament 6:15am-7pm

Holland Energy Park - Open House and Touch-A-Truck 12-3pm

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

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 8-2pm

Big Red Classic Sport Fishing Tournament 6:15am-3pm

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

Centennial Park - Art In The Park 9am-4pm

Nelis' Dutch Village - Pillage the Village Pirate Fest 10am-2pm

Monday - Downtown Zeeland - Zeelmania 6-8pm

Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

Check out live music at RedRock Grille

WEATHER

Thursday

86 🌡️ 69 | 🌩️  | 62% | 💨 SSE 8 mph (7 knots)

Friday

84 🌡️ 68 | 🌦️ | 40% | 💨 ENE 7 mph (6 knots)

Saturday

86 🌡️ 64 | ☀️ | 4% | 💨 NW 7 mph (6 knots)

Sunday

82 🌡️ 62 | 🌤️ | 25% | 💨 WNW 8 mph (7 knots)

Monday

77 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ | 25% | 💨 NNW 7 mph (6 knots)

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

The Deck I Funkle Jesse I 6pm

Dockers I Acoustic Waves I 5pm

Mill Point Park I Wyatt & Shari Knapp I 7pm

Eagles 925 I Coast Guard Entertainment Tent I 8pm

Waterfront Stadium I The VanHalen Invasion with Opening Act Dank Hill I 6pm

Lucy’s I Genna & Jesse Blue-Eyed Soul I 6pm

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

New Holland Brewing I The King of Mars I 7pm

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

Tanglewood Winery I Grayson Barton I 3pm

The Butler I Mary Rademacher Duo I 5:30pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Acoustic Shenanigans I 7pm

Friday

The Deck I Starlight City I 6pm

Dockers I Asamu Johnson I 6pm

Pigeon Hill I 2 Dudes In Flip Flops I 6:30pm

Red Rooster Tavern I Kyle Brown I 8pm

Unruly Brewing I The Ex-Bombers I 8pm

Lotus Room I Red Hot Rock I 8:30pm

Eagles 925 I Coast Guard Entertainment Tent I 8pm

Waterfront Stadium I The Modern Gentlemen with Opening Act Project 90 I 6pm

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

New Holland Brewing I Kody Bryant I 7pm

Itty Bitty Bar I JP & The Energy I 9pm

Hops at 84 East I Dylan Tolbert I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I 10 Years Late I 8pm

Saturday

The Deck I Velvet Mushroom Syndicate I 2pm

The Deck I Starlight City I 7pm

Dockers I 2 Dudes In Flip Flops I 1pm

Dockers I Midwest Riders I 6pm

Red Rooster Tavern I Segment 6 I 8pm

Pigeon Hill I Brett Bouchard I 7pm

Unruly Brewing I Four More Shapes I 8pm

Pinecrest Bar & Lanes I Curt Hines I 6pm

Waterfront Stadium I Yachtley Crew with Opening Act Nautic Bound I 6:30pm

Lucy’s I John Hayes I 7pm

Eagles 925 I Coast Guard Entertainment Tent I 8pm

Tanglewood Winery I Chasing Denver I 5pm

Hops at 84 East I Noah Martis I 8pm

The Park Theatre I Family Values: Tributes to Korn, Linkin Park & Limp Bizkit I 7pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Moms Attic I 9pm

Boatwerks I Don Field I 5:30pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Evan & Ryan’s Piano Party I 8pm

The Butler I Jake Ford I 5:30pm

Sunday

The Deck I Ravon "Steely" Rhoden I 12pm

The Deck I Semple I 5pm

Dockers I Westside Soul Surfers I 3pm

Red Rooster Tavern I Mason Grady I 4pm

Pincrest Bar & Lanes I Brian Fedewa I 5pm

Lucy’s I Elijah Russ I 12pm

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5pm

Park Theatre I Mike Mains & the Branches + The American Hotel System + Stay Outside I 6pm

Boatwerks I Mark Kahny I 5:30pm

Monday

The Deck I Julia & The Greensides I 6pm

Waterfront Stadium I Silver Stallion I 6pm

RedRock Grille I Edye & Mike I 5:30pm

SPORTS

Thursday - Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals 6:40pm

Friday - Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals 6:40pm

Saturday - Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals 6:10pm

Sunday - Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals 1:40pm

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Lakeshore Current today. If you found something useful, please share with someone who you gave a hug to on Tuesday.

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