Superboat International Heads to Michigan City, Indiana for Great Lakes Grand Prix

The next stop on the Superboat International racing series takes place August 7 – 9 on the southern shores of Lake Michigan for the 1st Annual Super Boat Great Lakes Grand Prix. The Michigan City race is the only SBI race on the Great Lakes, and includes a boat parade on Friday, block party on Saturday and plenty of extreme racing on Sunday.

The city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau estimates that up to 20,000 fans will invade the shores of Michigan City for the Grand Lakes Grand Prix for what promises to be an exciting weekend. Fans will have the opportunity to walk through the dry pits in Washington Park and see all their favorite teams and boats. The event will feature many of the world’s fastest and most powerful offshore powerboats racing along a six mile course, in front of thousands of fans along the Beach.

PHOTO CREDIT: Super Boat International.

The gates will open on Friday at 9:00 a.m.; boats and teams will be setting up during the day, and a boat parade will step off at 5:00 p.m. on Franklin Street. Saturday afternoon's activities include boat testing from Noon to 5:00 p.m., followed by a block party in Washington Park from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Racing competition starts Sunday, with races at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The CVB also is planning a classic car show and live music featuring local bands as part of the festivities.

PHOTO CREDIT: (Top) destination360.com / (Above) Southshoremedia.net.

For more information, visit the www.superboat.com website.

Tentative Event Schedule (Subject to Change)

Friday, Aug. 7
9:00am - 11:00pm Concession and Vendor Area open- Washington Park
9:00am- 6:00pm Powerboats Dry Pits – Washington Park
9:00am - 5:00pm Meet & Greet Who’s in the Driver’s Seat – Washington Park
4:00pm - 5:00pm Boat Parade – Begins at 10th Street & Franklin Street, open to public
5:00pm - 7:00pm VIP/Racer Party – McGinnis Pub, 227 W. 7th St.
7:00pm - 11:00pm Chuck Wells and Stone Cold Blues – Jaycees Stage, Washington Park

Saturday, Aug. 8
9:00am - 11:00pm Concession and Vendor Area open- Washington Park
9:00am - 5:00pm Powerboats Dry Pits – Washington Park
9:00am - 11:00pm Tented VIP Seating – VIP tent, boardwalk along beach
8:00am - 10:00pm Shuttle from parking lots at Marquette Mall
12:00pm - 5:00pm Boat Launching – Washington Park
12:00pm - 4:00pm Classic Car Show – Washington Park, open to public.
5:00pm - 7:00pm VIP/Racer Party – Blue Chip Casino, Suncoast Room, 2 Easy St.
7:00pm - 11:00pm Block Party/Live Music (Midwest Hype) – Jaycees Stage area, Washington Park

Sunday, Aug. 9
9:00am - 6:00pm Concession and Vendor Area open- Washington Park
11:00am - 1:00pm Launching – Washington Park
9:00am - 4:00pm Powerboats Dry Pits – Washington Park
9:00am - 6:00pm Tented VIP Seating – VIP tent, boardwalk along beach
8:00am - 6:00pm Shuttle from parking lots at Marquette Mall
10:45am - Boats for 1st race – Parade to Mill Area
11:00am - Start of 1st race – Washington Park Beach
11:00am - VIP Brunch – VIP tent, Boardwalk along beach
12:45pm - Boats for 2nd race – Parade to Mill Area
1:00pm - Start of 2nd race – Washington Park Beach
5:00pm - Awards Presentation – Washington Park