The Bay City Times reports that the US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is the most powerful icebreaker in the world and spends the winter plowing channels through the frozen Great Lakes, prolonging the shipping season and keeping the Straits of Mackinac free of ice. However, before that gets underway, the Mackinaw undertakes an early-December voyage from its home port Cheboygan to Navy Pier where it delivers 2,000 Christmas trees to disadvantaged families. For two days the Mackinaw becomes "Chicago's Christmas Ship", with Coast Guard sailors stringing lights and decorating the ship's deck with trees. During the two-day lakeside festival, the Salvation Army distributes the trees to the music of high school bands and local choirs while schoolchildren tour the ship.

Visit Chicago's Christmas Ship

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