Are you ready to Feel the rumble of 5,000 horsepower and the spray of the Lake Michigan surf as a collection of the world’s fastest and most colorful powerboats roar past the Michigan City Lighthouse Pier at speeds nearing 150 miles per hour.
The 2010 Great Lakes Grand Prix (sanctioned by Superboat International) will be held on Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana, the week of Aug. 3-8.
The Great Lakes Superboat Grand Prix event will last six days and the schedule will include a kick off party for the community at Washington Park Zoo, a golf outing at beautiful Briar Leaf Golf Course, a boat parade on Saturday evening through downtown Michigan City and a huge block and boat party where you will be able to meet the teams and get up close and personal with the boats. The block party will include a “Taste of Michigan City” featuring local restaurants and sponsored by the Michigan City Mainstreet Association.
Enjoy almost a full week’s worth of race related events including VIP and public parties starting with a Superboat Team Welcome Party on Thursday, August 5th at Matey’s Restaurant, 110 Franklin Street. On Friday there will be parties and events all day starting at noon to midnight at the Clubhouse Driving Range, 415 E US Hwy 20 where you can meet the Superboat Race Teams. At 5:00 pm there is a VIP and Racer Party at McGinnis Pub, 227 W 7th Street, at 8:00 pm a Venetian Night Boat Parade in The Trail Creek Channel at Washington Park and a band will be playing at the JC Pavilion in Washington Park starting at 8:00 pm.
You may want to arrive early in Washington Park on Saturday to see all of the Superboats, watch them craned into the water for testing, enjoy a classic car show and be amazed at the US Coast Guard SAR demonstrations. The Superboat parade begins at 6:00 pm along Franklin Street in Historic Downtown Michigan City followed by the Superboat Block Party on 7th and Washington Street until 11pm. Enjoy live music, a beer garden and some great food provided by local restaurants and sponsored by the Michigan City Mainstreet Association. You will have an opportunity to meet the race teams as they show off their race boats and gear, sign autographs and posters, hand out souvenirs and maybe they will even let you take a look inside the cockpit.
Sunday is race day! There will be a Silent Auction featuring some outstanding items and get-away packages. All of the proceeds from the auction will benefit LaPorte County Chapter of the American Red Cross and IOPO (Indiana Organ Procurement Organization). Visit the silent auction between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm several times during the day or place a fixed bid in the bid box.
The VIP Brunch with live music will be held between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. The excitement of this wonderful race starts at 1:00 pm, and then VIP’s and public are invited to the Awards Ceremony hosted by Blue Chip Casino starting at 5:00 pm.