Bell's Bayview to Mackinac Race

Bell's will return as the title sponsor of the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race for another two years. The 94th annual race from Port Huron to Mackinac Island will set sail on July 14, 2018, marking Bell's eighth year as presenting sponsor of the longest, consecutively-run freshwater race in the world. "We are extremely proud to continue to sponsor this race,” said Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell's Brewery. “It has a huge, positive impact on local economies, gives back to our community and puts a spotlight on an incredible treasure that we should all work to protect, our Great Lakes." More than 2,000 sailors participated in this year's race on more than 200 boats. The economic impact of the race on the Port Huron and Mackinac Island communities is estimated between $30 and $59 million, making it one of the premiere events hosted in the state of Michigan and one with major economic impact to numerous Michigan businesses, especially those in the tourism industry. “We have been tremendously fortunate to have Bell’s Beer as the title sponsor for the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race,” said Hans Brieden, 2017 Bayview Yacht Club Commodore. “The entire company has embraced the race and is valued partner to Bayview Yacht Club, the sailors and the community. We look forward to the next two years and what’s next for the race with Larry, Laura and Bell’s by our side. More than 75,000 sailing fans, families and partygoers were expected to attend a variety of events in Port Huron leading up to the start and festivities on Mackinac Island this week. A partnership with the Alliance for the Great Lakes was also added this year. Along with its continued support for Set Sail for Autism, the Bell's Beer Bayview to Mackinac Race continues to support organizations that focus on giving back to the community and promote good stewardship of our resources. For more information and for updates, keep an eye here on our website or join us on social media.

On July 22nd, the longest consecutively run freshwater race in the world, a race from Port Huron to Mackinac Island will celebrate its 93rd anniversary. Bell’s is proud to serve as the title sponsor for the event for the seventh year in a row. Also returning this year is live tracking provided by Yellow Brick Tracking. Fans, family and friends both locally and internationally will be able to track the race through Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The tracking is accessible here and also on Bayview Yacht Club’s website.  Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race is not only about commemorating the tradition of sailing, but it is also about advocating and giving back to the community. Along with supporting the local economies of Port Huron and Mackinac with the increase of visitors, the race has chosen two important organizations to support: Set Sail for Autism (SSA) and Alliance for the Great Lakes. Both of these organizations uphold our values of good stewardship of our resources, and providing for the community. Added to the schedule of events for the weekend is a Thursday evening race on the Detroit River where young adults on the autism spectrum and their chaperones will compete against each other. This race and its integration into the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race works to raise awareness of autism in the sailing community. The new partnership with Alliance for the Great Lakes is an important addition this year. Although there are many groups that focus on ocean waters, there are few that focus on fresh waters, specifically the Great Lakes. This cause is an important one for our company and specifically for our President and Founder, Larry Bell.  Already over 200 boats are registered to compete on July 22nd, including the boat Details, which Larry Bell will be aboard. Details will be a part of the Cove Island course. Additional details including Bell’s event information with be shared here closer to the start date.

We are proud to announce that Bell's will return as the title sponsor of the 2017 Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race! The 93rd annual race from Port Huron to Mackinac Island will set sail on July 22nd this year. This will mark our seventh year as presenting sponsor of the longest consecutively run freshwater race in the world. “To be a part of an event with such incredible, rich tradition that also showcases the beauty of our Great Lakes is incredibly important to us,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery said. More than 2,000 sailors are expected to participate this year on more than 225 boats. Larry Bell will again race the Cove Island course aboard the boat Details. “It is wonderful to have Bell’s Beer back as our title sponsor for the 2017 race. Their support has helped bring stability to the race that has allowed us to grow and make the race better for the sailors and fans,” said Hans Brieden, 2017 Bayview Yacht Club Commodore. “In Bell’s we have found a great partner, one that understand the tradition of the race and that loves Michigan and our waters as much as we do.” The annual race also helps support local economies with more than 75,000 sailing fans, families and partygoers attending a variety of events in Port Huron leading up to the Saturday start and festivities on Mackinac Island for the finish. The economic impact of the race on the these communities is estimated between $30 and $59 million, making it one of the premiere events hosted in the state of Michigan and one with major economic impact to a host of Michigan businesses, especially in tourism. “It is only March but this year it is looking like it is going to be another strong year for the race. We already have more than 100 entries and it is exciting to see the number of first time boats entered,” said Tricia Smotherman, 2017 Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race Chair. The Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race also helps support Set Sail for Autism, a program that allows young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder the opportunity to sail back from Mackinac Island to Port Huron aboard boats that compete. Also returning this year is live tracking. Sailing fans, family and friends, locally and globally, will be able to track the progress of all boats racing at bellsbeer.com and on the Bayview Yacht Club’s website through Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices provided by Yellow Brick Tracking. Additional details and Bell’s event information will also be shared as details are finalized.