Family-friendly celebration brings Great Lakes music, classic boats, vintage cars and local history to Leland’s waterfront
The Leelanau Historical Society invites the community to celebrate the stories, traditions and enduring spirit of the Great Lakes during the 4th Annual Leelanau Maritime History Festival, held Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Located at the Leelanau Historical Society, 203 E. Cedar Street in Leland, the festival will unfold along the new Leland River boardwalk, just two blocks from Historic Fishtown. This free, familyfriendly cultural celebration will bring together maritime history, music, craftsmanship and community for a memorable day on the waterfront.
A centerpiece of this year’s festival is the 21st Annual Jim Wenstrup Wooden Boat Show, featuring a beautiful fleet of classic wooden boats. The show is being named in memory of Jim Wenstrup, who coordinated the event for the past decade. Wenstrup’s passion for wooden boats, love of Lake Leelanau and welcoming spirit helped shape the gathering into the beloved community tradition it is today.
In celebration of America 250, the Leelanau Classic Car Show hosted by Van’s Garage will make a special return to this year’s festival, along E. Cedar St. filling the Leland Cultural District with vintage style.
Great Lakes musician Lee Murdock will provide the day’s soundtrack. Widely recognized as a leading interpreter of Great Lakes songs and stories, Murdock draws from freshwater shanties, folk ballads, blues, Irish musical traditions and the working songs of sailors and lumberjacks.
This year’s festival will also include a special program exploring the life and legacy of Gar Wood, the legendary inventor and speedboat racer whose record-setting achievements helped define an exhilarating era in American powerboat racing. Presented by Kendall Wingrove, former President of the Historical Society of Michigan.
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy: - The 21st Annual Jim Wenstrup Wooden Boat Show - The Classic Car Show hosted by Van’s Garage of Leland - Live Great Lakes music by Lee Murdock - History program on speedboat- racer Gar Wood, by Kendall Wingrove - Free admission to the Leelanau Historical Society Museum - Outdoor exhibits - Leelanau lighthouse preservation organizations - Scavenger Hunt by the Leland Township Public Library - Local maritime history and water preservation organizations For a complete festival schedule and a list of participating community organizations, please visit leelanauhistory.org/ maritime-history-festival.
The 2026 festival is part of the America 250 celebration, offering an opportunity to reflect on the people, waterways and working traditions that have shaped Leelanau County and the Great Lakes region.
“As our Anishinaabe neighbors say, water (nibi) is life. It carries memory, connects generations and remains at the center of life in Leelanau,” said Kim Kelderhouse, museum executive director. “This festival celebrates the many people, cultures and community organizations working together to protect our waters and keep Leelanau’s longstanding maritime heritage alive and well for generations to come.”
The Leelanau Historical Society gratefully recognizes the festival sponsors whose generosity supports the festival’s music, programming, and free admissions.
Captain Level Sponsor - Van’s Garage First Mate Level Sponsors - Lynn and Bruce Dunn - Peninsula Provisions - Harmony Estate Wineries Deckhand Level Sponsors - Leelanau Classics - Duffield Lane - Leland Yacht Club Foundation Whether you’re a lifelong boat enthusiast, a history lover or a family looking for a fun day in Leland, visitors are invited to set a course for the Leelanau Maritime History Festival. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. Learn more: leelanauhistory. org/maritime-history- festival.
