The International Tug Boat Race on the Detroit River dates back to 1949 and was originally a loosely organized event. For many years the event was discontinued until 1976 when the International Freedom Festival started the tradition once again. In 2003 the International Freedom Festival declared bankruptcy and the future of the race was in limbo. Local Detroit tug man Brian Williams, with help of numerous companies, individuals and the Detroit and Windsor Port Authorities was able to organize the event, keeping the long standing tradition alive.

1954 Detroit tugboat race.
Sid B. Ferriss Collection, courtesy Wade P. Streeter