Thousands race to Michigan City for 17th annual XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix

The 17th annual XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix returned to Michigan City for a week of partying and family-friendly fun along the shores of Lake Michigan. The Grand Prix has become a yearly staple for many in the Region and beyond, a final hurrah to the summer before fall blows in.

This year’s Grand Prix kicked off with a community appreciation event at Shoreline Brewery on Monday, July 27. This year’s Grand Prix activities included a combination of old favorites — like the XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix Golf Outing on Wednesday and the Great Lakes Grand Prix Brew Fest on Friday — as well as some new surprises for attendees this year.

On Tuesday, families could enjoy an array of activities at Washington Park Zoo and the HEROES Museum before catching a movie in Washington Park for the new Kids Day event. A new drone show on Saturday sponsored by Google and Graff Auto Campus lit up the sky to the delight of viewers.

Keeping the Grand Prix and its surrounding activities fresh helps keep old attendees and attract new visitors to the event every year, generating millions of dollars in economic impact.

“Last year we had a big turnout, and that was with probably seven or eight fewer boats. We had about a $30 million economic impact. We broke the record again this year and have, what, 80 boats, I think, this year,” Race Director Scott Miller said.

The races themselves are completely free to attend with optional paid VIP experiences, but they attract tens of thousands of guests each year that make use of everything La Porte County has to offer. From hotels and restaurants to attractions and amenities, a new group of people had the opportunity to experience Michigan City and La Porte County firsthand.

“Everything that we do Monday through Sunday, we try to get the kids involved as much as we can because, obviously, we want the whole family to come down. We don’t want anybody excluded, and we don’t want people needing expensive babysitters,” Miller said. “We had a good turnout Tuesday. We had a movie night for them and some food vendors, and then, of course, the block party and boat parade tonight. We’ve got a free Kids Zone. It’s completely free, and the kids can go in there and have fun. There are bubble machines and stuff like that.”

Additional fun elements of the Grand Prix programming included live music from local favorites like the Head Honchos, decorated storefronts in downtown Michigan City, a food court of local vendors, a boat parade, and more. This year’s annual downtown Block Party, sponsored by Google, featured free entertainment for the entire family ahead of the races on Saturday afternoon.

The biggest draw of the event, however, was the high-octane boat racing on Lake Michigan. Racers from across the country showcased the speed, skill, and excitement that make offshore racing a must-see experience. 

“I think a lot of it is a chance to see these boats up close and personal. You don’t get a chance to see something like this in Michigan City, Indiana, like you would down in Florida. That’s what I tell these guys. The community loves the races. They love the adrenaline. They love the boats, and they love having these guys here and being able to approach them, get autographs and pictures, and enjoy being close to the boats themselves,” Miller said.

An event this size wouldn’t be possible without sponsors like XINSURANCE, NIPSCO, Google, and Graff Auto Campus, amongst others. The event is produced by the La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau and relies on the dedication of countless volunteers, staff, public safety personnel, and community partners to make sure everything runs smoothly.

“It takes the community. The community has embraced this event the way they have for the last 16 years — now 17 years — and accepted it and enjoyed it. That’s the biggest piece of the puzzle,” Miller said. “Everything else kind of falls into place. You get sponsors when you have longevity, and they get a chance to come down here and see how exciting it is and see the crowds that show up for it. Then, of course, they want to be involved as well. We appreciate everybody who helps us out with it.”

Already raring to go for next year’s Grand Prix? Visit greatlakesgrandprix.com to get ready for next year’s event, which will be August 2 – 8.

While the XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix may be over, La Porte County still has a ton of fun to be had throughout the rest of the year.

Visit Michigan City LaPorte at michigancitylaporte.com to start planning your trip to the county!