The largest marina on the Great Lakes is about to host its largest event of the season — and everyone’s invited to enjoy the spectacle.
Venetian Night at the North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor, held this year on Aug. 6, has grown into a daylong festival that includes the traditional lighted boat parade in addition to live music, a car show, food trucks and kids activities topped off by a fireworks display.
“It’s become a big, family-friendly event that attracts a lot of people,” said Mark Stevens, the marina’s general manager. “It goes back about 20 years or so, and it’s become the largest event we do. We expect 8,000 to 10,000 spectators to join us.”
The concept of a Venetian night is a homage to the Christmas boating parade held in Venice, Italy. In the Midwest, many marinas and harbors started holding similar events in the summer — Chicago’s Venetian night dates back to 1958. Boats are usually adorned with lights and other decorations and paraded around the marina. People often dress up as well to match a theme and make a party of the event on the boat as well as off it.
“We’ve done a number of different themes over the years, and this year we decided to do Mardi Gras,” Stevens said. “You’ll find people really get into it decorating the boat. Then right around sunset, they’ll be escorted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary throughout the whole marina. They do a complete lap, and we have judges who award prizes for the best design.”
Venice Night festivities at North Point Marina start well before the sun goes down, however, with a car show on dry land next to the marina at 9 a.m. “It’s a great chance to see classic cars,” Stevens said. “And it’s raising money for the Wounded Warriors Project.”
The car show runs until 2 p.m. when the main entertainment stage kicks off with performances by local bands. In the evening, Nashville recording artist Nick Norman will bring his Porch Tour to the festival, along with a performance by Lewis Brice.
“We’re excited to get some big names like that to come,” he said.
Throughout the day there will be food trucks and other vendors providing refreshments throughout the marina property — some following the Mardi Gras theme, others sticking with their traditional offerings — and a variety of kids events will be set up on-site as well, including things like face painting, art projects, and bounce houses.
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North Point Marina, with just under 1,500 boat slips, is considered the largest marina on the Great Lakes, giving spectators plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the boat parade once it begins at dusk.
“It’s a lot of fun; people are playing music and getting into the theme,” Stevens said. “And then we finish the night off with a fireworks display.”
Whether or not you’re a boater, the free event at the marina has become a big draw for the entire community.
“This is for everyone,” Stevens said. “From the music to the beer garden to the kids’ events, there’s a lot to do in addition to the parade. And, of course, everyone likes fireworks.”
Venetian Night at North Point Marina
When: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 6
Where: North Point Marina, 701 North Point Drive, Winthrop Harbor
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-746-2845; npmarina.com
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.