National Powerboat Race Headed For Traverse City?

Traverse City Parks and Recreation commissioners will weigh in on two major new festivals proposed for the Open Space at their 6:30pm meeting tonight (Thursday). The meeting offers the first chance for the public to share feedback on the projects, one of which will require final approval from city commissioners.

Traverse City OPA Offshore Race – August 10-12,2018
A new power boat racing event could bring 100,000 spectators to downtown Traverse City in August 2018 to watch competitors race at speeds of 80-120mph on West Grand Traverse Bay.

The American Power Boat Association and Offshore Powerboat Association hope to host the first-ever Traverse City OPA Offshore Race the weekend of August 10-12, 2018. A five-mile loop of West Bay (pictured) would be closed to accommodate the power boat race course, which would host six 45-minute heats of racing across Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Organizers predict the event will draw 100,000 spectators, who will be able to view race heats free from West End Beach, Clinch Park Beach and the Open Space, as well as from the water at the north end of the course.

In addition to cordoning off a large zone on Grand Traverse Bay for three days (including a practice day Friday), the event would take over the Open Space for five days – including set-up and tear-down – for food and vendor tents, plus trailered boats ranging from 12 to 28 feet. Organizers are also requiring use of 20 boat slips in Clinch Park Marina as a designated race pit area.

According to a memo from City Clerk Benjamin Marentette to Parks and Recreation commissioners, there will be no alcohol served at the event, and organizers have requested an “alcohol-free zone including beaches from Clinch Park Beach to West End Beach.” Organizers will “reimburse the city for all out-of-pocket expenses, including police and fire,” and have indicated plans to provide a $25,000 donation to a to-be-determined local charity. Organizers also stated the event – which if successful, could be held annually in Traverse City – could be broadcast on NBC Sports, with national film coverage taking place from “multiple shore cameras” and “two helicopters above (the) race course.”

Parks and Recreation commissioners will hear from event representative Matt Soper at tonight’s meeting, then provide feedback that will be forwarded to city commissioners, who will consider the permit application at their May 15 meeting. Marentette, whose office has held multiple meetings to “pre-vet” the event, says the city “can certainly handle this event logistically and expect that it would bring in a number of spectators, as it would be promoted nationally.” But he cautions race boats will “generate a significant amount of noise between the hours of 12pm-4pm” and – on the heels of the National Cherry Festival and Traverse City Film Festival – “have a significant presence in the Open Space.” In his memo to commissioners, Marentette concluded: “(The event) meets the requirements of city policies; however, it is up to the city commission to determine if the event should move forward. We stand ready and prepared to assist with making the event happen if that is the desire of the city commission.”

Marentette notes to The Ticker that while the permit application for the race normally wouldn’t require city commission approval, “because of the extensive nature of the event and the impact it will have on the city,” he’s taking it to commissioners for a green light before issuing the permit.

Adventure Fest – June 17,2017
A day of “immersive adventure packed with learning, sharing, brews and grooves” is heading to the Open Space this summer.

Gociety, a self-described “social network for people who love the outdoors,” is planning to make Traverse City one of five national stops for its 2017 Adventure Fest tour. The family-friendly event will take place Saturday, June 17 and feature a village set-up in the park including a “camping village, a yoga village, a running village and a climbing village.” Each area offers national and local product and brand demonstrations, interactive booths, games and competitions. Listed activities include tiny home tours, gourmet outdoor cooking demos, yoga with a live DJ, slacklining workshops, climbing walls, running/hiking/cycling displays, boating and backbacking/camping areas, yard games, giveaways and more.

Adventure Fest will also feature a 50’x25’x3’ pool in the Open Space to allow for kayak and stand-up paddleboard demonstrations. An on-site beer garden and music stage will offer a “place to relax and recharge, and (is) not necessarily the focal point of the festival,” according to organizer Pete Isert of Gociety. “At the heart of our festivals is our commitment to create fun-filled community events featuring unique and enriching experiences, food, music and craft brews.”

The event will have ticketed admission, with the goal of keeping “the barrier low for the ticket price,” according to Isert. He cites 2016 ticket prices of $10 including one beer. One dollar from every Adventure Fest ticket sold will also support First Descents, which provides free adventure programs nationwide to young adults impacted by cancer.

Traverse City will join communities including Denver, Colo., Chattanooga, Tenn., Eugene, Ore., and Asheville, N.C. in hosting Adventure Fest this year. Because it is a first-time event, city policy directs staff to seek Parks and Recreation input before issuing the permit. The event, however, does not require city commission approval.