ESCANABA -- Friday marks the start of the second annual Bays de Noc Maritime Festival. It will begin at 9 a.m. and run through 7 p.m. in Escanaba's Ludington Park Marina.
The schooner Inland Seas arrived in Escanaba's Yacht Harbor Monday evening for its annual visit. The Inland Seas has been coming to the area since 1995 and teaches Great Lakes ecology. Students of all ages sail on her into the bay and take fish, plankton, water and mud samples.
The other ship, Friends Good Will, is expected to arrive on Thursday evening and offer Friday and Saturday day sails.
"A Venetian night sail of the boats that will be making a parade out into the bay around past the municipal dock with all dressed up with lights," said festival organizer, Maria Maniaci.
There will be music, food, arts and crafts booths, historical and wildlife exhibits and free tours of the Delta County Museum and Lighthouse on Friday.
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