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Algoma's Big August

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While August has traditionally been an important month for Algoma because of its annual Shanty Days festival, this year will bring even more excitement for residents and visitors because of the Tall Ships Festival and the second annual Soar on the Shore kite festival at Crescent Beach.

"It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our community," says Sara Krouse, the new executive director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce.  With three major events in one month, Krouse is having a particularly busy first month on the job..

For the first time, the Tall Ships Festival will feature Algoma as a stop for the vintage ships, which will muster off of Crescent Beach on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Nine majestic tall ships will sail in the Tall Ships Challenge Race with the finish line off the Algoma shore.  After they cross the finish line, the racers will display their ships, although they will not come to shore in Algoma.

Residents and visitors will be able to watch from Crescent Beach and boardwalk where food will be provided by the Algoma Fire and Rescue Food tent.

A giant duck that is part of the festival will be on display at the Von Stiehl Winery for photos.  Children will find Coastie the Safety Board, a tugboat robot, at the beach to teach them about boat safety and receive a membership card to his boat safety club.

Residents and visitors will also be able to view the Tall Ships through the new telescope at the Algoma Visitors Center and even dogs can watch the ships from the Dog Beach at the south end of Crescent Beach.

"We are anticipating a large crowd because the ships have never stopped here before," said Krouse.  "We are hoping lots of businesses may give time off around the lunch hour."

After their Algoma stop,  the ships will sail to Sturgeon Bay through the canal where they will dock overnight before heading to Green Bay for the official festival sponsored by Nicolet Bank from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

For Kewaunee County residents who want to attend the festival at Leicht Memorial Park in downtown Green Bay, there will be on-board ship tours, sail excursions and  many other activities, as well as fireworks over the Fox River on Friday night.  Admission to the festival is $12 for adults, and $10 for kids 5-12 and seniors 62-plus.

More information is available at www.tallshipsgreenbay.com.

Residents will have more than a week to recover before the 30th Annual Shanty Days festival begins on August 12 and continues through August 14 with the theme "Celebration of the Lake.".

This three-day, family festival takes place along the Lake Michigan shore and includes a large parade, juried arts and crafts, food, music, 5K run/walk, street fair, fireworks, beach volleyball, book sale, fishing contest and more.

Soar on the Shore on Aug. 20 will feature professional kiters and free kite kits for children.

Hosted by the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce, Shanty Days kicks off with the Mayor's Lunch on Friday at the Hotel Stebbins where long-time Shanty Day volunteer Mary Nelson will be honored, (See story page 4) It is also the start of the Algoma Public Library's annual book sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the beginning of three days of music with the Modern Day Drifters kicking off the musical events from 4 to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the annual parade will begin at noon with volleyball beginning at 1:30 p.m.   The annual 5 K run/walk begins at 8 a.m. and food, arts and crafts and music will continue throughout the day.

Sunday begins with an ecumenical church service by the lake at 7 a.m., the Algoma Community Band at noon and food and music most of the day.   The festival ends with fireworks at dusk Sunday night.

Building on the  success of its first year in 2015, Soar on the Shore is scheduled for Saturday, August 20, beginning at 11 a.m. at Crescent Beach. The Wisconsin Kiters Club putting on demonstrations joined by Unique Flying Objects from Manitowoc.   There will be giant show kites, banners and spinners, and professional stunt kites as well as a candy drop for kids.

Free kite kits will be available for children on a first-come, first-serve basis and food will also be available at the event this year.

A highlight of the event will be the sky lantern launch at dusk from Crescent Beach.

The Friends of Crescent Beach are hoping to double the attendance of last year, which was somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000, Krouse said.

For more information on all of these events, see the AlgomaChamber.org website.

Shanty Days will feature the Algoma Public Library's annual book sale on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Algoma's Big August

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