Inaugural Michigan Bootlegger Heritage Festival Slated

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — Antique boats and cars from the Prohibition Era will be featured in the first-ever Michigan Bootlegger Heritage Festival to be held Saturday, Oct. 1, on the Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores.

The event, a partnership between the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative and the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development, includes a day-long schedule of music and entertainment.

The festival will benefit the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative, as well as local Knights of Columbus chapters and the Anchor Bay Yachting Association.

This 21-and-older-only event will be held from 1-10 p.m., with most activities taking place at Colony Marine, 24530 Jefferson Ave., and Wahby Park, 24800 Jefferson Ave., in St. Clair Shores.

Limited on-site parking is available at Colony Marine. Additional parking for the event will be available at off-site lots, with complimentary shuttle transportation to the event.

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A number of craft breweries from around the region and the state will be serving up their best brews, and several of the area’s finest restaurants will participate. Breweries featured at the event include:

Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., Baffin Brewing Co., Dragonmead, Atwater Brewery, Griffin Claw and many more! Restaurants include: Twisted Rooster, Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café, Bobcat Bonnie’s and North 42. In addition to a variety of food and craft beer, several live bands and a DJ will be playing throughout the day.

This event is for ages 21 and older only. No children, or anyone under the age of 21 will be allowed on the premises. For a complete list of participating breweries and restaurants, a live band schedule and to buy tickets, click here. Tickets are $35 online and $40 at the door and include 12, 3-ounce pours and three, $2 food vouchers.

The Michigan Bootlegger Heritage Festival is sponsored by Colony Marine. Radio stations 89X and 93.9 The River are also major sponsors and will be broadcasting live at the event throughout the day. Buy tickets here.

Image: Detroit police inspecting equipment found in a clandestine brewery during the Prohibition era. (Public domain)