Great Lakes Boat Building School Beerfest fundraiser on tap Aug. 23

CEDARVILLE — The Great Lakes Boat Building School Beerfest fundraiser will return to Cedarville on Friday, Aug. 23.

Following a hiatus in 2023 for site preparations related to an upcoming construction project this year’s Beerfest will take place at Les Cheneaux Distillers in Cedarville.

Beerfest is an annual fundraising event to raise money for the school’s Student Enrichment Fund which elevates the GLBBS student experience by supporting equipment purchases, field trips and other professional development opportunities.

Attendees can look forward to live entertainment, food, drinks, and various displays for their enjoyment throughout the evening.

Tickets are $50 a person and include two drink tickets, one food ticket and entry to the entertainment and vendor booths for the evening.

Nikki Storey, President of Great Lakes Boat Building School, said she is excited about Beerfest’s return and the importance of this fundraiser.

“GLBBS is currently undergoing remarkable growth, with a larger number of students on our waiting list than ever before, eager to pursue training in Cedarville and embark on their marine careers,” Storey said. “While we strive to expand our student capacity through the construction of a new training facility, there were concerns about losing the venue for this important fundraiser.”

The Student Enrichment Fund plays a crucial role in GLBBS funding and the success of the event will not only support students but also celebrate the community, according to Storey.

Great Lakes Boat Building School is gearing up for its 2024-25 school year, in which 30 students are enrolled in either the marine service technology or comprehensive career boat building classes.

Tom Coates, director of development at GLBBS, said the support between the community and GLBBS creates a unique and enjoyable environment for students to live and train.

“GLBBS was founded by community members, and the Les Cheneaux community continues to strongly support the school and the students who attend each year,” Coates said. “It’s clear through the economic impact study that as the school succeeds so does the LCI community, and that’s something worth celebrating”

Sponsors of the Beerfest fundraiser include First National Bank in St. Ignace as the official Title Sponsor of the event, with Siddock Group and Capitol National Bank both joining as premier partners.

Tri-County Builders, Cedarville Hotel, Clark Construction, and BreezeSwept Docks are business & industry supporters.

Bohn Marine in Cedarville, Autore Oil & Propane, Central Savings Bank and Central States Marketing have also given support to the event.

Tickets can be purchased by stopping into the Great Lakes Boat Building School at 485 S. Meridian St. in Cedarville or online at www.glbbs.edu/beerfest-2024 .