The White Lake Maritime Festival has long been one of the most beloved traditions in Whitehall and Montague, Michigan. From its earliest days in the 1980s, this event brought together residents, local groups, and thousands of visitors for a weekend full of food, fun, and festivities on the water. While it started as a simple community celebration, the festival quickly grew into one of the biggest summer events in the White Lake area.
Community Spirit at the Core
Every year, local service organizations like the Whitehall-Montague Rotary, the White Lake Elks, and the Montague-Whitehall Lions Club stepped up to sponsor and organize the festival. In fact, in 1984, they revived the event after the local fire department could no longer afford to host it. Dick Patton, a key organizer during the 1980s, often praised the teamwork it took to make the event a success, stating, “Tremendous! Community spirit was really here!”
These civic groups not only hosted events and sold food, but also used profits to reinvest in local causes. The White Lake Area Sportfishing Association used their share to support fishing programs and waterway management efforts around the lake. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored key races and even organized judging for some of the parades.
Packed Schedules and Family Fun
By the mid-1980s, the festival had expanded from a two-day gathering to a full four-day event. Each August, thousands would gather at Goodrich Park and the White Lake Municipal Marina. Schedules featured nonstop action from morning to midnight. Attractions included the famous WZZM-13 Skywitness balloon ascension, teen dances, beer tents, dunk tanks, pony rides, and a major fish boil. Children’s games, sailing races, and a fishing tank for kids under 12 added to the excitement.
Importantly, the popular Water Thrill Show—put on by the West Michigan Water Ski Association—became one of the top crowd favorites. Spectators gathered by the shoreline to cheer on acrobatic stunts, including skiers balancing on chairs while riding across the lake. Even in rainy years like 1985, people still came out, raincoats and all, to celebrate the spirit of summer on White Lake.
Races, Floats, and Creative Competition
The annual Venetian Boat Parade and Chamber-sponsored Dinghy Race gave participants the chance to show off their creativity. Boats were often decorated with wild themes. In 1984, the winning entry “Scirocco” displayed a Hawaiian luau complete with grass skirts and palm trees. Meanwhile, others like “Tradition” or “Hey Jude” were judged on their decoration and spirit.
The dinghy race was especially competitive. Youth and adult teams swam, paddled, and kicked their way around buoys for prizes. In one year, Aaron Wisely, a 12-year-old from White Lake, took first place in the 1,000-foot race, earning a ski package for his efforts.
Evolving with the Times
To make the festival even more inclusive, organizers began adding new events each year. By 1986, a community-wide Sunday church service overlooking the lake had been added. The addition of this peaceful event brought a reflective and family-focused close to the weekend’s excitement. Volunteers from area churches and community groups helped make it happen, showing how the festival continued to evolve while still holding on to its roots.
Although some years brought bad weather, the Maritime Festival never lost its heart. Thanks to strong community involvement, creative planning, and a deep love for White Lake, this summer tradition remained a bright spot for generations of local families.
Note: All information in this article was gathered from archived newspaper clippings from the White Lake Beacon between 1984 and 1986. While care was taken to verify every detail, some information may be incomplete due to image clarity or missing context. If you have additional memories, corrections, or photos that could help improve this article, please feel free to share them.
