The Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville is hosting a beer-tasting fundraiser Friday, September 3, as part of the school's increasing emphasis on fundraising. The event, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature four, five-ounce beer tastings, bratwursts with chips, live music by North Country Band, guided tours of the school, and a souvenir glass with the boat school name and logo.

The boat school's fundraising committee would like to have a fundraiser each quarter, with an emphasis on events that can be fun and entertaining. This fundraiser fits that criteria, said committee member Michele Fiering, and also accents another important aspect of the boat school - its support of the state economy - by only selecting Michigan beers.

“We have a culture here that enjoys beers and microbrews,” she said. “We also wanted to support Michigan products, keeping in theme with our own Michiganbased service.”

One beer each will be selected from Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Keweenaw Brewing Company in Houghton, Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids, Arcadia Ales in Battle Creek, and the Frankenmuth Brewery in Frankenmuth.

Tickets are $25 and will be available at the boat school, Cedar Pantry, the Pine Cone gift shop, the Islander bar, Hessel Grocery, Bumpas' Bar, or Cedarville Marine. They may also be purchased from individual board members or at the door the day of the event.

Tuition only provides one-third of the operational costs, so grants, donations, and fundraising efforts are needed, organizers say. The school has participated in silent auctions at SnowsFest.

The event is already off to a good start, said the fundraising committee, as 250 of 400 tickets have been sold. Enrollment for the boat school is currently at 10 students, with the deadline to sign up for classes being the first day of school, September 20.