A scaled-down version of Saugatuck Venetian Festival is scheduled for July 30 – 31.

SAUGATUCK — The Saugatuck City Council on Monday approved plans for a scaled back Venetian Festival.  The event had been canceled earlier in the year due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Scheduled for July 30 & 31, this year’s “Venetian Lite” Festival will feature a concert & beer tent and dinghy poker run. The Saugatuck Venetian Festival Captains are proud to announce Stage Sponsor New Standard, Bar Sponsor JPD Construction, and Band Sponsor the Pearson Family and their Douglas-based company, Enterprise Hinge. Thanks to their support, popular 80’s band Starfarm is scheduled to perform in Coghlin Park on Friday, July 30. The venue will open at 6 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, and beverages and food will be available for purchase throughout the evening. The Dinghy Poker Run, sponsored by Wolf’s Marine, headlines Saturday’s events, and is scheduled to take off at noon from Coghlin Park. Registration for the Dinghy Poker Run begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Neither the Lighted Boat Parade nor the Fireworks Display will be included in this year’s festival due to time constraints. “We’re disappointed to leave the boat parade and fireworks out this year, but with a short timeline and tight budget, we are simply unable to organize and pay for those events,” said Lance Winchester, commodore of the Cow Hill Yacht Club, the non-profit sponsor of the Saugatuck Venetian Festival. 

The Venetian Festival is the largest fundraiser for Cow Hill Yacht Club, a charitable organization that donates proceeds to help local families and individuals in need. Those interested in volunteering at the festival or donating to Cow Hill Yacht Club can do so through our website.  

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