Badger season begins!

LUDINGTON — The SS Badger left port for the first time this season under escort of the Ludington police and fire boat and the U.S. Coast Guard. Fans of the Badger lined the pier cheering and clapping as it left Ludington, beginning its 60th season.

The season is beginning two weeks earlier than usual due to a high demand of commercial traffic, mostly from the transportation of wind turbine parts from Wisconsin to Michigan. The official season begins May 17.