Baywatch Babes and Beach Bums

I put everything off until the last minute. I'm a procrastinator by nature, it's true. If you're like me, then you probably haven't hit up the Grand Haven Coastguard Festival yet, despite the fact that it's been in full force since last Friday.

This weekend is your last chance to make it out to the festival in what is officially distinguished as "Coast Guard City, USA" (thanks to an Act of Congress signed in 1998), and the city is pulling out all the stops for the festival's final weekend, (really this is just encouraging us procrastinators).

While the festival does continue into Sunday, Saturday's 80 degree weather is perfect for hitting the beach, the waterfront, or the quaint store fronts of downtown Grand Haven. There's a whole day's worth of coast guard-y activities for you to chose from (or be indecisive and do them all!).

Start early and catch the 11:45 a.m. Meijer Grand Parade at Escanaba Park, where more than 150 entries will salute the men and women of the Coast Guard. This tradition of honoring and celebrating those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Coast Guard hails back to 1924, when the Coast Guard Festival was no more than a personnel-only picnic and rowing competition. Now, the weekend of the festival will draw more than 350,000 guests, including top level Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington D.C.

Throughout the day you can also visit the Coast Guard Craft Show (open from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.), tour a coast guard ship ( available 10 a.m.- noon), or hit up the carnival rides (10 a.m.-4 p.m.).

There's always time to relax on the beach and work on your tan since you'll probably want to stick around into the evening hours for the Patriotic All Star Salute at 7:30 p.m., featuring music by The Marlins, and capped off with a fireworks display at dusk over the waterfront.

All events are located in Downtown Grand Haven; start near Washington Ave and North Harbor Drive. For more information, check the official Coast Guard Festival Website.