PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Felicia Fairchild, Executive Director Saugatuck-Douglas Convention and Visitors Bureau
(269) 857-1701 or (269) 857-5985

VISITORS BUREAU SET TO CELEBRATE "COOLEST SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA" VICTORY PARTY

Saugatuck, MI, September 11, 2010 marks the date that Saugatuck/Douglas and Laketown will fill the area with music, festivities and dancing in the streets to thank fans for voting Saugatuck one of the "Coolest Small Towns in America".

Following an intense nationwide voting campaign, sponsored by Budget Travel Magazine to determine "The Coolest Small Town in America", Saugatuck is keeping its promise. During the final hours of the three month "vote-off", the Convention and Visitors Bureau tried to spur voters on to push Saugatuck back into third place by offering to throw the biggest Victory Party the area has ever seen if fans could achieve that goal.

When Felicia Fairchild, Executive Director of the Saugatuck/Douglas Visitors Bureau, threw out that challenge she was taking a calculated risk because she had no budget to support such an event. Fairchild later confessed, "I took a giant leap of faith! I was simply counting on the good will of our entire community to help us carry it off." Saugatuck was bumped from third to fourth place in the last weeks of the contest by a very aggressive California campaign; but the Visitors Bureau Board of Directors decided to proceed with the Victory Party regardless. According to Fairchild, "We are ignoring the fact that we didn't come in third and are calling it a victory anyhow." She added, "Heck, we still placed fourth in the nation!"

Fairchild's risk paid off. Laree Waanders, Branch Manager of Chemical Bank, stepped forward as an event co-sponsor by providing some help to pay for official event T-shirts which will be sold to raise funds to defray costs of the celebration. According to Ms. Waanders, "We think Saugatuck is the coolest and we are really excited about this event! I thought it was appropriate to help the Visitors Bureau out by contributing some funding." Eddy Curtis, jazz musician, also volunteered to organize the many popular bands and musicians, all Saugatuck loyalists, who offered to donate their time and play free of charge from 3-6:00 p.m. throughout the streets that day. They include Lew Russ, Soulz of Rhythm, Jimmy Pop, Eddy and the Breakers, Chaos, What Not Band, Freddy De Gennaro, Tom Bryant, Randy Johnson, and Vibra Sabrosa. Coral Gables and Tower Marine collaborated to put salsa music on the harbor as co-sponsors of the event as well.

Dave Barton, owner of The White House Bistro, and Mike Carey owner of Del Sol, provided posters; Angela Holmes and Saugatuck Area Business Association volunteers began gathering offerings donated by local shops, businesses, restaurants and bars. Laura Durham, Owner Mill Pond Realty, made a gracious financial contribution and Linda Brooks of Ivy Inn expressed appreciation by becoming a sponsor. Venetian Festival Committee volunteers led by Don Karaus stepped forward to lend a hand and help promote; and the neighboring towns of Douglas and Laketown began to add events of their own to enhance the activities. Event organizers will officially kick off the celebration on September 11, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. in downtown Saugatuck at the corner of Mason and Butler Street where Senator Patricia Birkholz, Representative Robert Genetski, Saugatuck Mayor Barry Johnson and a representative of Budget Travel have been invited to preside. At 2:00 p.m. following a brief tribute to the victims of 9/11, a Victory Parade led by the Saugatuck High School band will proceed victoriously down Butler Street, go left on Main Street and return via Water Street to Culver Street.

Bands and musicians located throughout the town will play in the streets from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Butler, Hoffman and Mason Streets will be blocked to traffic during that time so that people may dance in the streets! At 3:00 p.m. The Village Puppeteers will perform a puppet show for kids free of charge at the Woman's Club on Hoffman Street. Tables with volunteers will be located throughout the town where visitors can buy event T-shirts and pick up "I Voted For Saugatuck" buttons that will make them eligible to participate in all drawings and promotions offered by area merchants, bars and restaurants. Street seating will not be provided in order to keep fire lanes clear, but guests may bring beach chairs or blankets to just sit and listen. Streets will be reopened to traffic at 6:00 p.m. at which time all music and entertainment will resume on location at most local bars and restaurants.

The Douglas Down Town Development Association is providing a free shuttle bus between Saugatuck and Douglas where Center Street will be blocked off for a "Wine Tasting and Art Stroll". The event will include live jazz by Jim Cooper, outdoor and indoor art exhibits, wine tasting (for a small fee) and appetizers provided by local restaurants from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additional transportation between the two towns will include private water taxi service, Interurban Bus service, Harbor Duck Adventures (call ahead ) and ground taxi services. Carpooling is also recommended if possible.

The Douglas Dutchers Vintage Baseball Team will play an exhibition game against the South Haven Barkpeelers at 2:00 p.m. at Beery Field in downtown Douglas. The Mount Baldhead15K challenge will kick off Douglas events at 9:00 a.m. sharp with pre-race registration available on Friday evening September 10th as well as Saturday morning. The 5K begins at 9:15 a.m. "Little Feet, Big Feat" 1K Children's Run will be held at 7 p.m. on September 10th at Beery Field.

To round out the area's activities for the weekend, Friends of The Felt Estate will be holding a three day outdoor concert called "Rock the Felt". Headliners include The Guess Who on Friday September 10th and Pop Evil on Saturday September 11th . The event is located in Shore Acres Township Park adjacent to the Felt Mansion and the Saugatuck Dunes State Park.

For more detailed information on all Saugatuck area activities log on to www.saugatuck.com or call the Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 269-857-1701

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