September 21st, 2024
10:00am – 3:00pm
203 E. Cedar Street, Leland, MI. 49654
This is the 3rd annual Maritime History Festival hosted by the Leelanau Historical Society.
Come learn about the Peninsula’s vital and sometimes tragic connection to the Great Lakes. The festival will be hosted at the Leelanau Historical Society Museum (203 E. Cedar St. Leland, MI 49654). This year’s festival also marks the 19th annual LIVE exhibit “Wood Boats on the Wall”. Stroll the boardwalk along the Leland River to view classic wooden boats from around the region beginning at 10:00am. Chris-Craft, Century, Garwood and other vintage watercrafts will be present with their captains for viewing and questions.
19th Annual Classic Wood Boats on the Wall
View the live exhibit “Boats on the Wall”, and enjoy this year’s line up of classic wood boats on the dock behind the museum.
This family-friendly festival offers free museum admission, featuring the “Shipwrecks of the Manitou Passage” Exhibit, lighthouse and ship models, Lighthouse Keeper Interpretation, and displays by area nonprofits and organizations whose missions are to preserve and share the region’s maritime culture, past and present.
2024 Festival Partners include:
In addition, free face and arm painting by Habibit Story will be offered along with kid’s activities such as, “Stations of the Storm” by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Maritime Stories and Songs with Luunappi hosted by the Leland Library. Enjoy live music by two local musicians, Luke Woltanski, and Traverse City based Celtic group Rigs & Jeels.
The Leelanau Historical Society’s recent State History Award winning film “Lake Leelanau, Spirit of the Lake” will be shown twice throughout the day. Catch the free 11:30 am or 2:00 pm showing of this captivating documentary that dives into the history and nostalgia of Lake Leelanau – a cherished body of water in Leelanau County, MI. Produced by the Leelanau Historical Society and directed by Keith Patterson of Manitou Films.
Donations in support of the Leelanau Historical Society are welcome.
2024 Festival is Proudly Supported in Part by:
Interested in becoming a Festival Sponsor?
Become a Festival Demonstrator!
Demonstrate a Skill/Share your knowledge
Sign up to demonstrate a skill, facilitate an activity, or host an informational booth. Demonstrations & Vendor topics must be representative of local maritime history, knowledge, and/or skills, past or present.
Past Festivals & Press
