Waves pound Ship and Shore Festival

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. - “14-foot waves are not my idea of a good time,” said Chicago boater Chris Edmonds Friday next to his 54-foot boat at the New Buffalo Public Marina.

Edmonds left a day early for the Ship and Shore Festival so he’d be sure to make it.

The National Weather Service had warnings out Friday telling everyone to stay out of Lake Michigan. Gale force winds were in the forecast and 10 to 14-foot waves pounded the coast.

“She’d have probably been able to handle the 14-footers,” said Edmonds. “But you don’t want to do it, not if you can avoid it.”

The New Buffalo Public Marina had several cancellations Friday on what usually is a very busy weekend.

At the end of the pier, the Calabarese family of five changed their plans too. Instead of swimming Friday, they leaned towards fishing. “Usually we go early and hit the beach but do to the weather we’re avoiding the beach,” said Patsy Calabarese.

“That’s what we get when we live by the water,” said Migs Murray with the Ship and Shore Festival. “We have to take the good with the bad.”

Murray said even though the natural attractions, like the boats and beach, are out of the question this year they’re optimistic people will still be here for all the things to do on land.

The Calabarese’s haven’t ever been before and would like to see what Ship and Shore is about but only if the weather changes. “Depending on how bad it is we can hang out and see,” said Calabarese.

Edmonds thinks for some, plans have already changed. “Some (boaters) came early but if they’re going to try to make it today, I think they’re going to have to cancel.”

Rain should be clearing Saturday but the forecast is calling for 8-foot waves until Sunday.