What began 78 years ago as a simple candle-lit boat parade has grown into a week-long flurry of color and pageantry that highlights the summer season and attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

78th Annual Venetian Festival
July 20-26, 2008
Sponsored by the Charlevoix Venetian Festival, Inc.

The Festival offers a wonderful variety of events geared to delight and entertain every age group. Most events take place within waterfront parks, Round Lake Harbor and Lake Charlevoix.

Corbin Bleu from the Movie "High School Musical" Coming to the Emmet County Fairgrounds

Click here for details

Ultimate Air Dogs will dazzle Festival goers as they lay their "poochie prowess" on the line by leaping high and far over their custom designed pool in the heart of East Park. The owner and director of the Ultimate Air Dogs national tour is Milt Wilcox. Milt teamed up with Jack Morris and Dan Petry, to form the ace starting pitcher trio of the 1984 Detroit Tigers, which propelled the team to the 1984 World Series Championship. Be sure to check out Milt and the dogs in this impressive competition of canine athleticism, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

WHAT'S MISSING AT VENETIAN?

Have you ever noticed what is missing at the Venetian Festival?

It isn't live entertainment. Throughout Venetian Week, bands in East Park will be jumping with a wide variety of music.

It isn't kids' activities. The Venetian Games include kids and teens in soccer, basketball, running, sailing, golf and tennis tournaments. Teens are provided their own music venue at the "Battle of the Bands." Kid's Day at Lake Michigan Beach also provides a slew of low and no cost children's entertainment.

It isn't spectator opportunities. The street parade and the boat parade have entertained spectators for decades, and the Ultimate Air Dogs will dazzle Festival goers with their canine leaping prowess.

It certainly won't be fireworks that are missing, considering the festival features two nights of world class fireworks displays.

What's missing is admission prices. All of the big events and entertainment offered at the Venetian Festival are absolutely free to the public.

But, it still costs the Venetian Festival upwards of $200,000 (only 1/10 of the National Cherry Festival budget), to put on its premier festival, which is why the nonprofit volunteer organization needs your help. If you've ever enjoyed a concert in the park, Kid's Day, the Venetian Games, the street parade, the Venetian boat parade or the spectacular fireworks displays, please contribute, so that we can continue to bring you quality entertainment and activities in the future.

Frankly speaking, 2008 is a pivotal year for Festival finances, considering the revenue loss and increased expenses which the Festival was forced to incur in staging outside of East Park in 2007, which totaled over $50,000.00.  In the event the Festival does not receive increased and new contributions, the Venetian Board may be left with no alternative but to dramatically reduce the two costliest (and nonrevenue generating) events, concerts and fireworks.

Please do not look away when it is time to contribute. By donating to the Festival, you can become a noted member of the Venetian Burgee Club. Anyone who donates $100 or more becomes a member of the Club and receives a burgee pennant. The pennants are emblazoned with the Venetian logo, the current year and the level of sponsorship.

Levels are: Admiral level, $3,000 minium donation with a blue burgee; captain level, $1,000 minium donation with a red burgee; first mate level, $500 minimum donation with a gold burgee;  and crew level, $100 minimum donation with a white burgee.

Please send donations to: Charlevoix Venetian Festival, Inc., PO Box 120, Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 or visit the Venetian Festival Merchandise Stand in East Park, during the festival.

ON SALE SOON... "FIREWORKS CASH RAFFLE" TICKETS!!

The Venetian Board has announced that it will once again sponsor the "Fireworks Cash Raffle" to help support the famed Venetian Festival fireworks displays, which will be shot on both Friday evening on Lake Charlevoix and on Saturday evening on Round Lake Harbor. Lucky winners will receive $5000, $1000, and $500 in "Fireworks Cash."

Tickets will be sold in increments of $10.00 each or 3 for $25.00 through an advance mailing, and will be on sale the week of Venetian Festival. The “Fireworks Drawing” will be held the evening of Saturday, July 26, 2008, and you need not be present to win.

Since the majority of Venetian events are free to the public, the "Fireworks Cash Raffle" provides a great opportunity for you to support Venetian, by taking a shot at the "Fireworks Jackpot." We thus encourage pyrotechnic patronage through the purchase of tickets in increments of $50 to $100, checks payable to the "Charlevoix Venetian Festival."

Your continued support, through the purchase of "Fireworks Cash Raffle" tickets, will help maintain the Venetian identity as "the big time festival, with small town appeal." Thank You!

The Charlevoix High School Alumni Association will host an all school reunion at this year's Venetian Festival on Saturday, July 26, from 12:30 - 4:00 pm.  All alumni are invited to stop by and see former classmates.  Click Here for Details

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LEFT: 2007 Original artwork "Fireworks on Round Lake" designed by the late Patsy Ramsey. Posters from the 70th-77th Annual Charlevoix Venetian Festivals are still available. CLICK HERE RIGHT: Venetian Festival Candles from Bullfrog Light Co. Candles are $26.00 each, plus $8.00 for shipping. They may be purchased through the Bullfrog website or ordered from the Venetian Festival office by emailing info@venetianfestival.com. Bullfrog Light Co. donates a percentage of the sale of each candle directly to the Venetian Fireworks Fundraising campaign.

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Whether you're a Charlevoix area resident or a visitor, be sure to set aside these dates, and if necessary, make reservations early. You don't want to miss one minute of the fun and excitement.

For information on accommodations, dining, and other Charlevoix activities, visit the Charlevoix Area Convention & Visitors Bureau or the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce website.

2008 Original Artwork
"Celebrate Charlevoix! "
by Linda Boss
18" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas
Date of Finished Work: May 14, 2008
To Be Auctioned off Friday, July 25, 2008.

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CONGRATULATIONS! to our 2007 WINNERS!
Photo of 2007 Venetian Queen, Sarah Klooster (left) and Kim Way, First Runner Up (right). Click to Enlarge	SARAH KLOOSTER 2007 Venetian Queen KIM WAY 1st Runner Up SARAH KLOOSTER Miss Congeniality KIM WAY High Scholastic Achievement Award Click here to find out how you could become a Venetian Queen candidate and see our 2007 Venetian Court.

Join the Burgee Club!