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Hundreds of people turned out for the 2003 Thunder Bay Maritime Festival in Alpena, Michigan August 23-24 - a family cultural event highlighting the mission of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve and the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

Thunder Bay is a 448-square mile sanctuary and underwater preserve protecting an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks ranging from 19th century wooden side-wheelers to 20th century steel-hulled steamers.

Festival highlights included tours of the research vessel, Laurentian, and entertainment by the musical groups Song of the Lakes and The Overtones and well-known Great Lakes story-tellers Larry Massie and Genot Picor.  The Opening Ceremony was attended by the Director of the National Marine Sanctuary Program, Dan Basta, the Manager of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Jeff Gray, and local dignitaries. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

Benefactors
Charter Communications/Charter Media
National City Bank
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Phoenix Foundation
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve

Patrons
Alpena Power
Banner Realty
Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan
Holiday Inn
Timm Construction
Wal-mart

Supporters
Alpena Area Credit Unions
Alpena Oil Company
Model Printing
Neiman's Family Market

Children and adults alike enjoyed the festival’s line-up of entertainment, educational games, cultural displays, and boat tours.  The public got a rare look at a modern research vessel during tours of the 80-foot Laurentian, which supports the activities of the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve.

"This is a terrific opportunity for the public to see some of the Sanctuary's ongoing projects and discoveries and to enjoy the maritime history that led to the designation of Thunder Bay as a federally-protected national treasure," said Jeff Gray, Manager of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve.

Additional festival highlights for children included story hours, face stamping, rope making, a U.S. Coast Guard Obstacle Course, and maritime activities such as "Discover Diving" - an opportunity to don dive equipment, "Dive in the Past" - a program that teaches children about underwater archeology, and "Gutter Sailing" - miniature sail boat races. 

The Festival was co-hosted by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the City of Alpena.  The Sanctuary is helped in its mission by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, which supports the outreach and education efforts of the National Marine Sanctuary System, part of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.