The dock area for the S.S. Badger in Manitowoc is closed for the season after extensive damage to its ramp system, August 2, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With the S.S. Badger carferry out of commission for the rest of the season, Manitowoc is looking to get visitors to explore its lakeshore community in other ways.
On Tuesday, the company that operates the S.S. Badger said its 70th season would be cut short due to damage on its ramp system in Ludington, Michigan.
Because the damage would take months to repair, daily Lake Michigan crossings from Manitowoc to Ludington were suspended for the rest of the season.
A typical season for the S.S. Badger is mid May to mid October.
Courtney Hansen, director of tourism at Visit Manitowoc says while it’s unfortunate the season was cut short, it did have two great months of operations.
She says their marketing team in Manitowoc and Ludington are working to get travelers to visit in other ways.
“We’ve been working with our marketing team out there to make sure that individuals are being taken care of and folks who have an upcoming trip across the Badger are taken care of and that they can still visit our community. What’s great is a lot of those bigger groups are motorcoach groups, so they can still drive their bus here, so they’re missing out on the Badger experience unfortunately this year but hopefully that’s another reason they’ll come back to experience that for years to come,” she explained.
The S.S. Badger is expected to return to full operations for the beginning of the 2024 season.
Right now Visit Manitowoc is gearing up for one of its biggest events this month: The Lakeshore Balloon Glow. It features glowing balloons on both sides of the river, fireworks, food trucks, a water ski show, aerial dancers and kids activities. The free event is Friday, Aug. 18.
Last year, Hansen said Manitowoc had a record-breaking tourism year.
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