08/06/2015
Hey Blackhawks fans!
HERE IT IS!! STANLEY CUP SCHEDULE WHILE IN SAUGATUCK, MI. SEPT 5TH
SPECTACULAR EVENT PLANNED FOR STANLEY CUP
IN SAUGATUCK, MI. SEPTEMBER 5th
Saugatuck, Mi.... On September 05th, 2015, The Stanley Cup, the world famous championship trophy of the National Hockey League, will take center stage in the tiny town of Saugatuck, Michigan. The Cup is being brought to Saugatuck and Douglas by three time Stanley Cup Champion, Paul Goodman, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks. Coach Goodman has chosen to celebrate his "personal day with The Cup" among, friends, family and fans in his adopted off-season refuge and part-time hometown.
According to Coach Goodman, "My wife Susan and I want to insure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to see The Cup and share this special occasion with us during the brief time that the trophy is in our possession." He added, "We have worked closely with the Saugatuck-Douglas Visitors Bureau to create an event that will embrace fans at all levels." Goodman stressed that he spends most of his life with his team so he and his family try to make the most of their time together. Therefore, it is also his desire to make the most of the Stanley Cup's time while it is in Saugatuck and Douglas.
THE MAIN EVENT....On Labor Day at 3:00 pm The Stanley Cup will make its cameo public appearance during a festive boat parade which will be led by The Star of Saugatuck followed by The Saugatuck-Douglas Fire boat providing a magnificent water display, then a lovely Luxury Yacht ( carrying The Stanley Cup ), Tower Marine's River Queen carrying the "Flat River City Big Band" and a private motor yacht carrying Goodman's family. The parade will traverse Saugatuck-Douglas Harbor and proceed along the Kalamazoo River past Coral Gables and Wicks Park on to Lake Michigan. It will return again along the same route. If lake conditions permit the parade will pass by Oval Beach on its return route to the Kalamazoo river channel. Fans and visitors should line the shoreline to take "selfies" as the yacht carrying Coach Goodman hoisting the Stanley Cup in salute to the crowd passes by. Potential plans are also in progress to provide a fireworks display over Saugatuck Harbor at dusk compliments of Gold Sponsors Liz & Dave Engle (Century 21 & Best Chance Charters) Jim Sellman (Shoreline Realtors) Mike Johnson (Coral Gables), Randy King (King Construction Co) and David Lokker (Land Sharks Outfitters).
To leverage the long term positive impact of the Stanley Cup's visit to the Saugatuck-Douglas area the Goodmans, Blackhawks supporters, and their friends are "are giving back" to the community they love by endorsing a fund raising effort to help raise enough money to purchase, for the community, a large Holiday Tree, nicknamed "The Stanley Cup Tree". If fundraising efforts are successful, the proposed tree will become the crown jewel of the Christmas season in Saugatuck-Douglas and Coach Goodman will return to dedicate it during the town's official tree lighting ceremony in December. The custom crafted tree, like those exhibited in high profile locations around the world, is expected to become an annual off-season attraction for the Saugatuck-Douglas area. The height of the tree will depend on the success of the fund raising efforts and has the potential to grow to a maximum height of 70 feet by adding new rings each year. Those who donate to the Holiday Tree fundraising effort will receive a personal invitation to attend the official tree lighting ceremony in December. To donate text-to 95577 use key word "holidaytree" Contributors may also contact the Visitors Bureau to make check or credit card contributions as well at 269-857-1701.
There are exciting opportunities for fans at all levels to participate in the one day celebration. For fans wishing to actually participate in the Stanley Cup Boat Parade, seats will be available for advance sale to join the fun on The Star of Saugatuck where a live Blackhawks memorabilia auction will take place during the cruise. The auction will be organized by the Saugatuck-Douglas Area Business Association. Tickets are $100 for the upper deck and $50 for the lower deck. To book passage call Star of Saugatuck 269-857-4260. (Please note the Stanley Cup will not be on this boat...This boat will be leading the parade). To enter your name in a drawing to win a free seat on the Stanley Cup Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise give us your email address by texting to 95577 use key word " cupcruise". You may also submit your contact information by emailing your name and phone number to [email protected] The Deadline for entries is at midnight Wednesday September 02, 2015. Winners will be announced on Thursday September 03, 2015. Blackhawks red & black attire would be Appreciated!!
For those wishing to support the community fundraising effort by personally joining Coach Goodman and the Stanley Cup on board the luxury yacht, a limited number of seats will be available for the one hour Victory Cruise at a cost of $5000 per person. For information or to book the "Stanley Cup Champagne Victory Cruise" please contact the Saugatuck-Douglas Visitors Bureau at 269-857-1701, 269-857-5985 or email [email protected].
Felicia Fairchild, Executive Director of the Saugatuck-Douglas visitors Bureau had this observation about the event, "This will be the most prestigious victory celebration our community has had the opportunity to host. We are honored that the Goodman's have chosen Saugatuck-Douglas. We were planning to celebrate Saugatuck's USA Today victory as "Best Small Coastal Community in America" the weekend of the 17th but we have decided to move that event to Labor Day and celebrate our victory together with the Goodmans and the Blackhawks."
Plans are in progress to live-stream the Victory Boat Parade from www.saugatuck.com. Stay tuned via this website or join us for FaceBook posts at https://www.facebook.com/SaugatuckCVB for up-to-date information.
# # #
