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Downtown Ludington Movies in the Park
August in Ludington means free movies, on three Thursday nights at dusk in Ludington’s Rotary Park (formerly City Park).
Photo by Andy Hu on Unsplash.com
The tournament was born back in 1974 in Lowell, Michigan. Scott McNeal (alias Gus Macker) got together with 18 friends and $18 to play a friendly 3-on-3 basketball game in his parent’s driveway. The tournament continued to grow, and due to the tremendous interest from outside communities, it took to the road and moved its home base from Lowell to Belding in 1987. Today, Macker is played in outdoor and indoor courts in over 75 cities throughout the country, drawing over 200,000 players and 1.7 million spectators. But even with this growth, it continues to feel like a “hometown” game. The Gus Macker tournament is always a wholesome activity for all ages and talent levels.
2020 would have marked the 29th anniversary of Gus Macker in Ludington but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament had to be canceled. The tournament has also been cancelled for 2021 due to restrictions still in place.
Because of its longevity and beautiful location, the Ludington Gus Macker Committee and the Ludington & Scottville Chamber of Commerce were inducted into the Gus Macker Hall of Fame in 2018.
In 2023, the Chamber Alliance of Mason County announced that it would not be renewing it’s contract with Gus Macker. That fall, Dr. Andrew Riemer, owner of Riemer Eye Center and Stix Bar; and Chris Nicholas, owner of WMOM Radio; petitioned the Ludington City Council to allow them to take over the event. The Council approved and the group has been running the tournament since.
In the 28 years of Macker in Ludington, over $300,000 has been returned to the area’s schools to purchase uniforms and equipment. These teams donate their time in setting up hoops, fences, and cleaning up. In order to make the tournament run smoothly, nearly 400 other volunteers are needed, from checking-in participants to being a Gus Buster.
Ludington Gus Macker
(833) 448-7657
August in Ludington means free movies, on three Thursday nights at dusk in Ludington’s Rotary Park (formerly City Park).
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
Enjoy a variety of shoreline cruises with various themes on the S.S. Badger Carferry in both Ludington and Manitowoc.
In addition to thousands of book titles, the Mason County District Library’s Ludington and Scottville branches provide many free programs.
The black-and-white striped, 112 foot lighthouse at the Ludington State Park stands proudly on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The Ludington Skate Plaza is a popular spot for kids with skateboards or in-line skates, and also draws spectators to Stearns Park.
A children’s flotilla that’s a miniature replica of the historic S.S. Badger carferry. Children get to ride in one of many “cars”.
Within the downtown Ludington region, several murals grace the façades of local area businesses, telling stories of the area’s rich history.
No matter your experience level, Ludington area charter captains will guide you in what to bring and what to expect on the big lake.
Is your business located in Ludington? Contact us today to learn about advertising opportunities with VisitLudington.com.
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