The Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association invites you to Michigan's West Coast Lighthouse Festival held annually the first weekend in June. Activities in 2013 are planned from Muskegon to Manistee, along 90-plus miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Activities are focused at White River Light Station in Whitehall, Little Sable Point Lighthouse at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Ludington North Breakwater Light, Big Sable Point Lighthouse in the Ludington State Park and Manistee Pier Light.

The lighthouses plan extended hours throughout the weekend along with various special activities.

West Coast Lighthouse Festival Events

Here is the tentative 2013 events schedule. Please check back for updates.

All SPLKA lighthouses (Big Sable Point, Little Sable Point, Ludington North Breakwater Light and White River Light Station) will be open 10am-8pm on June 1 and 10am-5pm on June 2. Special hours will be held at Muskegon South Pierhead Light and Manistee Pierhead Light.

1 - Lighthouse Festival "Maritime Magic" Arts/Crafts Show, 10am-4pm, Ludington Area Center for the Arts, $1 admission.
1 - Book signing by the Trumans of the Big Sable Point book "Storms & Sand" at SPLKA office at Ludington Area Center for the Arts.
1 - View the Fresnel Lens from Big Sable Point at Historic White Pine Village for free with a sticker saying "I Climbed a SPLKA Tower."
1 - Chalk Day at Little Sable Point walkway.
1 - Bus transportation to Big Sable Point Lighthouse, 12pm-5pm, from Ludington State Park Amphitheatre, small fee.
1 & 2 - Muskegon South Pierhead Light, 1pm-4pm, with Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy and SPLKA board assisting.
1 & 2- Manistee Pierhead Light, 1pm-4pm, with Manistee Historical Society lecture at 1:30pm.
(Muskegon and Manistee lights are open for viewing only; they are not prepared for climbing).

Special "Nights at the Lights" programs at all four lighthouses:
Big Sable Point: June 1 - Ted Malt 11am; June 2 - Anesa Beilfuss, 4pm, Lady of the Lights historical monologue of Francis Marshall, White River Light Station keeper and the last lady keeper in Michigan.
Little Sable Point: June 1 - Anesa Beilfuss monologue 11am; June 2 - Ruth and Max Bloomquist folk music 4pm.
Ludington North Breakwater: June 1 - Ted Malt 4pm; June 2 - Anesa Beilfuss monologue 11am.
White River Light Station: June 1 - Anesa Beilfuss monologue 4pm; June 2 - Bloomquists 11am.

Extended hours of festival operation, offering grounds tours, tower climbs and history at these lights: White River Light Station, Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington North Breakwater Light and Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

What a great way to usher in the summer season and celebrate the beauty and history of our lighthouses. Great family fun awaits at the West Coast Lighthouse Festival.

For more information, contact the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association at:
(231) 845-7417 office
(231) 845-7343 Big Sable Point Lighthouse
P.O. Box 673, Ludington, MI 49431
www.splka.org

Lighthouse Festival Extended with Shoreline Carferry Cruise June 8

1950s Cruise on SS Badger
June 8 - Cruise into Yesteryear on the historic carferry SS Badger on a 3-hour cruise from 8pm-11pm, traveling south from Ludington toward Little Sable Point. A '50s theme will be celebrated with 1950s music, photography and costumes on board for Period Dress Pictures, and a contest for best dressed 1950s attire. Tickets at $49 includes a buffet; for advance tickets call S.S. Badger at 231-843-1509. This event is part of the '50s Festival in Downtown Ludington.

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More Lake Michigan Lighthouses...

WEST MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSES

Ludington's North Breakwater Light & Pier -- Walk to the end of the half-mile long pier to West Michigan's most popular lighthouse.
North Pierhead Lighthouse in Manistee -- Explore Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk, hike the Manistee National Forest, canoe on the Manistee River, and more.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse -- Located at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in West Michigan.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse -- Located in the Ludington State Park.
Pentwater Pier Head Lights -- Nothing is quite like the quaint, artsy, harbortown village of Pentwater. Don't miss the popular Charles Mears State Park beach on Pentwater's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Grand Haven Lighthouse -- The Grand Haven lighthouse is at the mouth of the Grand River.
White River Light Station in Whitehall -- Operated by the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association.


NORTHERN MICHIGAN LIGHTHOUSES

Harbor Point Lighthouse -- Located in Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan.
McGulpin Point Lighthouse -- This lighthouse is located in the Straits of Mackinac at Mackinaw City.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse -- Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse is in Mackinaw City.

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