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Charlevoix Venetian festival
Charlevoix, Michigan and St. Joseph, Michigan are the only two Michigan cities to celebrate a Venetian festival. Atypical of many Venetian Festivals the Charlevoix Venetian festival takes place in the summer rather than during the period before lent and does not involve a celebration with Venetian masks. This summer festival began in 1930 as a simple candle-lit boat parade. Over the years it has grown into a week long festival with family oriented events attracting many visitors and tourists. The festival generally takes place during the end of July, and highlights the summer with many different entertainment venues and showcases.

History
The Charlevoix Venetian festival began in 1930 as a simple candle-lit boat parade. Over the years it has grown into a week long festival attracting many visitors and tourists to this Northern Michigan resort town. The Venetian festival was first a simple parade of boats lit by candles and it also included a power boat race. The festival has evolved to include much more than a simple boat parade. It now includes live entertainment, a wide variety of music and other activities. The week long Venetian Festival has marked a Charlevoix tradition of the celebration of summer.

Events
There are numerous events which take place throughout Venetian week in Charlevoix. Live music is played many days and nights in East Park. The local high school band and the Charlevoix City Band usually play along with several different “battle of the bands”. In 2008, the contemporary country music band Emerson Drive performed, which drew in a vast amount of fans. A carnival also takes place throughout the week in parking lots behind the main street, Bridge Street and has several different rides, games, and other amusements. The Venetian festival has also brought in entertainment such as the Ultimate Air Dogs dog athletic competitions. The Venetian Games take place during this week as well, and involve kids and teens. These youths participate in games such as soccer, basketball, running, sailing, golf, and tennis tournaments. In addition, Kid’s Day takes place at Lake Michigan Beach providing a multitude of entertainment for children. Tours of different Coast Guard boats and schooners are also available throughout the week. On the Friday of the week long festival, the Venetian Queen coronation ceremony takes place, and one Charlevoix young woman is crowned the Venetian Queen. Venetian Queen competitors are women ages 16 to 22 years old who maintain primary residence in Charlevoix, are single, have never been married, and have no children. Prior to the coronation ceremony, candidates are observed by the community and complete an interview with a panel of judges. Choices are made on overall knowledge of Charlevoix, enthusiasm, interest, pride in their city, and the ability to represent the city and the people of Charlevoix. Four outstanding women are represented on the court and one young woman is nominated as the Venetian Queen. (Charlevoix courier - news - 78th annual charlevoix venetian festival events.) The Saturday of the Venetian festival begins with an annual parade on Bridge Street, followed by music and various performances all day. Saturday evening, the Venetian boat parade begins on Round Lake. The parade is the longest running tradition of the Charlevoix Venetian festival. (Charlevoix venetian festival - charlevoix, michigan.) Many different Charlevoix residents and summer visitors embellish their boats with lights, sound systems, animations, and other decorations while thousands of spectators watch from East Park. During this parade, many different varieties of boats can be seen, ranging from coast guard ships and all wood classics to sleek cruisers. Following the boat parade is the firework display. It is one of the largest displays in Michigan.

Expenses
There is no admission charge for attending the Charlevoix Venetian Festival activities such as the boat parade, fireworks, street parade, music, and other live entertainment. The only activity that is not free is the carnival rides and games which go on throughout the week. The Venetian Festival itself costs about $200,000 to put on each year and is funded by nonprofit volunteer organizations. Donations are accepted to support the festival, and by donating to the festival, one can become a member of the Venetian Burgee Club. The Venetian Burgee Club has several different levels varying based on the amounts of money donated.

Fireworks
Each Saturday night of Venetian week world class fireworks light up the sky. In the past few years, the city of Charlevoix has put on two nights of fireworks, both Friday and Saturday. Each display takes place over Round Lake at dusk. Fireworks have been produced and choreographed by well renowned companies such as Colonial Fireworks Company and master pyrotechnician, Frank Loffredo Jr.

Accidents
In July of 1997 an accident involving fireworks occurred during the Venetian Festival. There was an audience of nearly 50,000 people who witnessed the event. ( The fireworks exploded prematurely, causing one death, 15 injuries, and damage to buildings, a coast guard vessel, and a ferry boat. Mark Yager, a Charlevoix resident was the one person killed as he was hit in the head with a flying piece of metal during the accident. Other injuries included severed limbs and shattered bones. One of the four people operating the fireworks admitted that he had been drinking. As a result of the accident nine lawsuits were filed by his family as well as injured spectators. A city official was initially sued for being in connection with the fireworks explosion but was later dropped as a defendant in the case. As a result of this accident which took place in on Round Lake in 1997, new safety regulations have been enacted to ensure public safety. The Coast Guard has established temporary safety zones on Lake Michigan near Charlevoix to restrict boats from a portion of the lake during the Venetian Boat Parade and fireworks display. This safety measure is designed to protect spectators while observing the fireworks display. Since this accident in 1997, there have been no other notable injuries which have taken place during the Charlevoix Venetian Festival associated with fireworks.