This replica of the schooner Madeline was toured by Victorian Port City Festival goers in September 1999. Photo: Lisa Annable
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Victorian Port City Festival
This September festival celebrates the
historic aspects of Manistee, which was a lumbering town in
the mid 1800s to early 1900s.
The 1999 festival kicked off with a high tea and
Victorian hat display. Citizens wearing Victorian attire created a
promenade, and many of the town's Victorian houses were open for
tours. The weekend event also featured a "vintage" baseball
tournament, following rules and formality of a bygone era. Other
attractions included an antique and classic car show,
demonstrations of traditional skills by artisans, outdoor cafes
with international food, an arts and crafts fair, and a scenic
river walk. Manistee's role as a port city was also highlighted
during the festival. A replica of the 1845 schooner,
Madeline, docked at the town, and provided tours.
The Manistee area has many talented musicians and
singers, who provided entertainment at the 1999 festival. They were
singing groups, The Duffs and Free Spirit; a
one-man show by Duane Moore; the Ken Hawkins Polka Band; the
Ragtime Ensemble; and Oro Latino. The Scottville Clown Band, whose
members wore wild costumes, drew huge crowds as they played
marches, university fight songs, and patriotic numbers.
A special feature of the 1999 festival was the
replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. People from
around Michigan visited the wall to look for names of relatives or
friends. The memorial's location on Lake Michigan beach provided a
beautiful and serene setting to commemorate America's soldiers.
Documentation includes a project report, brochures, a
video and photograph.
Originally submitted by: Peter Hoekstra, Representative (2nd District).
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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