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Special Events and Parades

A festival, race, parade, or other public event in Saugatuck needs a special event permit approved by City Council; the application goes to the City Clerk's Office 60 days before the event.

A laughing boy on a man's shoulders reaches up for giant soap bubbles floating under a tree, as people around them take pictures.
Wicks Park Chasing giant bubbles
Apply
60 days before the event
Approved by
City Council
Insurance
Within a week of approval
Questions
City Clerk, (269) 857-2603

From Application to Event

  1. 60 days before

    Apply to the City Clerk

    Must be filled out in its entirety & returned to the City Clerk’s Office 60 days prior to scheduled event

  2. Review

    Public Works, police, and fire

    Public Works, the police, and the Saugatuck Township Fire District each review the application and sign off on equipment, officers, and street, sidewalk, and parking closures.

  3. Council

    City Council decides

    The applicant and sponsoring organization understands that it may be necessary to meet with City staff during the review of this application and that City Council approval is necessary.

  4. Within a week

    Send the insurance certificate

    Provide a certificate of insurance with all coverages deemed necessary for the event, name the City of Saugatuck as an additional insured on all applicable policies and submit the certificate to the City Clerk’s Office no later than one (1) week following notice of the event approval.

What to Send with It

  • Completed Application
  • Event Map (includes detailed event layout for vendors, booths, porta potties, etc.)
  • Road/Sidewalk/Parking Lot Closure Map
  • Certificate of Insurance (listing the City of Saugatuck as additionally insured)
  • Fireworks Permit (if applicable)
  • Michigan Liquor Control Commission Special Event License (if applicable)
  • Health Department Food Service License (if applicable)
Liquor and health permits

Applicant understands that he/she is responsible for contacting the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and/or Allegan County Health Department to secure all permits required for this event.

Signs, Tents, and Equipment

Signs

City Council approval is required for any temporary signing in the public right-of-way, across a street or on City property.

Sign sizes

Yard signs may be up to 2 feet square, and a banner under the Saugatuck palette sign up to 14 by 4 feet; both may go up no more than 15 days before the event and come down within 24 hours after it.

Tents

The City of Saugatuck does not have tents, stage, tables or chairs available for rental.

Tent safety

Tents must meet the Saugatuck Township Fire District's requirements for tent structures, and the Fire District inspects the installation.

City equipment

Trash receptacles, barricades, traffic cones, parking signs, fencing, water, electric, and restroom cleaning are requested from Public Works on the application.

Park rules

The City Council may, by motion or resolution, temporarily waive park rules for a designated period or special event.

Where Events Happen

Cook Park

It is used for the Saugatuck Douglas Art Club Waterfront Invitational Art Fair, picnics, and fireworks viewing.

Village Square Park

The park has both active and passive zones with the northwest corner of the park containing the Children’s playground and serves as the site of Memorial Day/Veterans Day festivities.

Wicks Park

The gazebo serves as prime location for the Music in the Park series which features popular bands.

Coghlin Park

The Park is primarily open space that is utilized for weddings and various festivals.

The application includes a map of Coghlin, Village Square, and Wicks parks on which to sketch tents, stages, equipment, and portable toilets.

Selling at an Event

Hawkers and peddlersPlus $25 for each additional day$100 a day

From the City’s Schedule of Fees, revised June 9, 2025.

Forms and Documents