June 30 – Trolley Historical Tour 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Manistee County Transportation / 180 Memorial Drive

Tour the historic Manistee downtown as trolleys leave every hour, until the last tour of the day at 4:00 PM. 

Cost: $6, or $3 for Seniors 65 and older, children, or disabled

June 30 – 4th of July Kickoff Party 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Wagoner Community Center / Senior Center 260 St Mary’s Parkway

Annual 4th of July party, Jerry Zupin will cater, Butch Baker & Just 4 Fun Band will provide music. Tickets available at the senior center. Dinner, dancing, drawings. For more information – Click Here. 

Cost: $15 per person

June 30 – Anderson Midway Carnival 12:00 PM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $25 Wristbands

June 30 – Enchanted Forest Exhibit 1:00 – 5:00 PM 

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street

The Enchanted Forest exhibit is meant to reflect the beauty and enchantment of the Manistee National Forest and all forests of Michigan.

Cost: Complimentary

June 30 –  RC Sand Drags 5:30 PM

First Street Beach

Sand Drag competition for RC cars and trucks. Come watch the dirt fly or enroll your RC to compete. Contact Manistee Hobbies on River St. for full details. Free to watch. $5 to run. Ribbons presented at race. 

Cost: Complimentary

June 30 – Live Music at Iron Fish Distillery with Bob Keel 6:30 – 8:30 PM 

Iron Fish Distillery / 14234 Dzuibanek Rd. Thompsonville, MI

Join us for fancy drinks and live music as we welcome our friend Bob Keel to the farm! 

Cost: Complimentary

July 1 – Forest Festival Golf Outing sponsored by the Little River Casino Resort 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Manistee National Golf & Resort 

Grab your clubs and get ready for the annual Forest Festival Golf Outing 4-Person Scramble!  Enjoy playing 18 holes of golf at Manistee National Golf & Resort during this popular festival event! Register at ManisteeChamber.com or Click Here. 

July 1 – Festival Marketplace 9:00 AM – Dusk

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

July 1 – Friends of the Library Book Sale 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Parking lot behind the Manistee Library / 95 Maple Street

Huge sale of used books, DVD’s, CD’s, and recorded books, something for all ages.

Cost: Complimentary

July 1 – Trolley Historical Tour 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Manistee County Transportation / 180 Memorial Drive

Tour the historic Manistee downtown as trolleys leave every hour, until the last tour of the day at 4:00 PM. 

Cost: $6, or $3 for Seniors 65 and older, children, or disabled

July 1 – Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo 10:00 AM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world! It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s FREE. Sponsored by Dr. Shrink and Huntington Bank. 

Cost: Complimentary

July 1 – US Forest Service, Forest Bus Tour 11:00 AM

Dial-a-ride parking lot

Please join the Forest Service on a tour through some of the National Forest lands which includes a stop at Spirit of the Woods for lunch. Please pack your own lunch and plenty of fluids in case of heat. To sign up in advance, please call 231-848-7090. 

Cost: Complimentary

July 1 – Anderson Midway Carnival 12:00 PM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $25 Wristbands

July 1 – Enchanted Forest Exhibit  1:00 – 5:00 PM 

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street

The Enchanted Forest exhibit is meant to reflect the beauty and enchantment of the Manistee National Forest and all forests of Michigan.

Cost: Complimentary

July 1 – Lion Club Famous Fish Boil 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM 

Lions Pavilion / Douglas Park / First Street Beach

Come and have dinner while you look over the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.  Dinner will be locally caught fish, boiled potatoes, onions, coleslaw, and rolls. Hot dogs will be available for the kids if they choose.  Desserts and drinks are available for an additional cost.  The proceeds will be donated to the community the with half going to Armory Youth Project and Habitat for Humanity. 

Cost: Adults – $14 / Children – $6

July 1 – Canvas Painting Party 6:00 PM

The Purple Paintbrush / 338 River Street

Visit our studio to paint “Lighthouse at Sunset,” to learn new skills and take home your masterpiece. $35 per painter, reservations are required. Sign up through our Facebook event page or call/text 231-747-9430. 

Cost: $35 per painter

July 1 – Summer Crush 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Armory Youth Project / 555 First Street

Middle School Dance – held outside on the side lawn at the Armory Youth Project.

Cost: Complimentary 

July 1 – Live Music at Iron Fish Distillery with Chris Sterr 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Iron Fish Distillery / 14234 Dzuibanek Rd. Thompsonville, MI

Join us for fancy drinks and live music as we welcome Chris Sterr to the farm! 

Cost: Complimentary

July 1 – Jaycees Beach Jam 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM 

First Street Beach

Let’s get together to celebrate summer with some good tunes performed by local musicians. BYOB (no glass bottles) and bring a chair for this free event!

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk + 1k Fun Run 8:00 AM (please arrive early)

Manistee Middle/High School / 525 12th Street

Come run/walk a 5K to support the Manistee Community Track. Trophies/Plaques for overall winners and age group winners. 

You can register on our Website: http://runmanistee.blogspot.com/ or here http://michianatiming.com/registration/enter1.php?raceid=303. Click here for the Race Map.

Cost: $25 Pre-registration / $30 Race Day 

July 2 – Rosie Solberg Memorial Bake Sale 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Corner of 5th Ave. & Hastings St. on the way to the World Of Arts & Crafts Show

Enjoy an assortment of cookies, breads, and more from the bakers in the community. All proceeds go to Local Missions.

Cost: Donations

July 2 – Friends of the Library Book Sale 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Parking lot behind the Manistee Library, 95 Maple Street

Huge sale of used books, DVD’s, CD’s, and recorded books, something for all ages.

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Funky Junk Market 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Parking lot in front of Redeemed Furniture Art and Decor / 172 Memorial Drive 

We will be having a Funky Junk Market in our parking lot. Lots of creativity overload….

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Manistee World of Arts and Crafts 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Red Szymarek Park / Fifth Avenue

Artists from all over the United States apply for the juried show to sell their wares. The show is held in the Red Szymarek Park on Fifth Avenue where people can stroll in comfort to view the booths, enjoy the excellent food and musical entertainment. 

July 2 – Festival Marketplace 9:00 AM – Dusk

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

July 2 – Family Day hosted by The Tabernacle 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Armory Youth Project Parking Lot

Join us for a day of family centered activities, including: bounce houses, a dunk tank, oversized yard games, face painting, rock painting, cotton candy, snow cones, and a hot dog lunch (ALL free). There will also be several businesses/agencies that will have interactive games and activities, which will work together to create a “passport” style activity for kids to go through the booths to earn a prize once completed.

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – 25-cent Saturday Family Matinee 10:00 AM 

The Historic Vogue Theatre of Manistee / 383 River Street

Fun for the whole family! $1.00 kids popcorn & $1.00 juice boxes.

Cost:  All tickets 25 Cents

July 2 – Trolley Historical Tour 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Manistee County Transportation / 180 Memorial Drive

Tour the historic Manistee downtown as trolleys leave every hour, until the last tour of the day at 4:00 PM. 

Cost: $6, or $3 for Seniors 65 and older, children, or disabled

July 2 – Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo 10:00 AM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world! It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s FREE. Sponsored by Dr. Shrink and Huntington Bank. 

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Meet Pete the Cat 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Happy Owl Bookshop / 358 River Street

Pete the Cat will be at the Happy Owl to celebrate Forest Festival. Stop by to visit!

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

RuddiBlush / 321 River Street 

Let your inner creator come out and decorate a 2×2′ square of pavement for all to see.  Chalk will be provided, plan ahead and bring any sketches that you need and a kneeling pad.  Limited to the first 30 artists that come in that day. Judges will pick one winner at 4:45 PM.

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Walk-in Ceramics Painting 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The Purple Paintbrush / 338 River Street

Walk in anytime throughout the day to enjoy a quiet atmosphere and ceramic painting. There hundreds of pieces to choose from!

July 2 – Anderson Midway Carnival 12:00 PM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $25 Wristbands

July 2 – Enchanted Forest Exhibit 12:00 – 3:00 PM

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple Street

The Enchanted Forest exhibit is meant to reflect the beauty and enchantment of the Manistee National Forest and all forests of Michigan.

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Little Big Shots – Talent Show 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Lion’s Pavilion / First Street Beach 

This is a non-competitive talent show where children ages 3 – 16 can display their talents in whatever venue with full acceptance and appreciation from the audience. 

To register, please email manisteelilbigshots@gmail.com or call 313-478-5347.

Cost: Complimentary

July 2  – Live Music at Iron Fish Distillery with DJ Batz 3:00 – 6:00 PM 

Iron Fish Distillery / 14234 Dzuibanek Rd. Thompsonville, MI

Join us for craft cocktails and live music as we invite our friend DJ Batz to the farm!

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Full Cord Bluegrass – Summer Sunset Series 5:00 – 9:00 PM

352 W Forest Trail Rd, Free Soil, MI

Join us for an afternoon of Live Music while enjoying Northern Michigan’s natural beauty. Making a return to Forest Trail, Full Cord Bluegrass will be playing a high-energy bluegrass set as part of our 2022 Summer Sunset Series. Kanin Elizabeth will open the stage at 5:00 PM followed by a silent auction to raise funds for the 3rd Annual Forest Trail Music Festival. For more info please visit: Click Here

July 2  – Live Music at Iron Fish Distillery with Ethan Bott 6:30 – 8:30 PM 

Iron Fish Distillery / 14234 Dzuibanek Rd. Thompsonville, MI

Join us for fancy drinks and live music as we invite our friend Ethan Bott to the farm!

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Greg Paddock Live Music 6:30 – 9:30 PM

Manistee National Golf & Resort / 120 County Line Rd.

Enjoy backyard games, bonfires, and live music with pizza and beverages available for purchase.

Cost: Complimentary

July 2 – Princess of Manistee Sunset Cruise 8:00 PM

This is our most popular excursion! When the weather gets warm, it becomes increasingly in demand. It provides spectacular viewing and beautiful photo opportunities. We cruise offshore on Lake Michigan or we will cruise the Manistee River and Manistee Lake. Note: 20 individuals are required to run the trip.  If not met, refunds or rebooking are offered. Visit manisteeharbortours.com for booking information!

Cost: $35 per adult (15+), $17.50 per child (4-14), infants are free

July 3 – Pancake Breakfast –“You’ll Flip over This!” 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 

Manistee Area Public Schools – 525 12th Street, use Tamarack Street

You, your family, friends and neighbors are invited to start your day with this “Forest Festival Flapjack Feast!” We’re serving stacks of flapjacks and other yummy and delicious items. Service with a smile and a promise that you won’t walk away hungry!

Cost: Adults $7.00 / Children 12 years $5.00 / Children under 5 Free

*All proceeds will benefit the Manistee Community Track Project. 

July 3 – Manistee World of Arts and Crafts 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Red Szymarek Park / Fifth Avenue

Artists from all over the United States apply for the juried show to sell their wares. The show is held in the Red Szymarek Park on Fifth Avenue where people can stroll in comfort to view the booths, enjoy the excellent food and musical entertainment. 

July 3 – Festival Marketplace 9:00 AM – Dusk

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

July 3 – Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo 10:00 AM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world! It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s FREE. Sponsored by Dr. Shrink and Huntington Bank. 

Cost: Complimentary

July 3 – Anderson Midway Carnival 12:00 PM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $25 Wristbands

July 3 – Annual Ice Cream Eating Competition 1:00 PM

Downtown Delights / 457 River Street

Who can eat the most ice cream in 7 minutes?  3 age categories.  Trophies to winners of each age group.  Free entry.  Click Here for more event details and rules.

July 3 – Scottville Clown Band Concert sponsored by Manistee Ford 1:00 PM

Lions Pavilion Area

Bring your chair and refreshments to watch the humorous Clown Band perform.  It is a must-see show!

Cost: Complimentary

July 3 – Princess of Manistee Sunset Cruise 2:00 PM

90-minute excursion about the Princess of Manistee. The tour will cruise offshore on Lake Michigan or cruise the Manistee River and Manistee Lake, depending on the weather conditions.  Note: 20 individuals are required to run the trip.  If not met, refunds or rebooking are offered.  Visit manisteeharbortours.com for booking information!

Cost: $35 per adult (15+), $17.50 per child (4-14), infants are free

July 3 – Wissner’s Wizards present the 6th Annual Charity Magic Show  2:00 & 7:00 PM

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St., Manistee, MI 49660

An Egyptian mummy transforms into a teen magician; a shadow in a box becomes a girl; teens appear from an empty box; a three-foot cube is levitated; a teen is sawed in half (and restored); a boy is suspended on the top of a broom; a child vanishes from a chair; a teen appears in an empty animal cage; a three foot cube is levitated; one kid enters a box and is pierced by a half-dozen swords, vanishes, and is restored.

The show features a dozen full-sized professional stage illusions including the: Mummy Case, Shadow Box, Palanquin, Flying Box, Sawed in Half, Zig Zag Girl, Broom Suspension, DeKolta Chair, Tip Over Trunk, Metamorphosis, Modern Cabinet, and Opened Sword Chest.

The family-friendly magic show is performed by the five grandchildren (ages 10 to 15) of retired magician Wayne Wissner (Manistee HS, 1966).

Cost: Tickets $15 Adult/Senior, $10 for under 17, Under 2 is free.

July 3  – Live Music at Iron Fish Distillery with Cousin Curtiss 6:30 – 8:30 PM 

Iron Fish Distillery / 14234 Dzuibanek Rd. Thompsonville, MI

Join us for fancy drinks and live music as we welcome our friend Cousin Curtiss to the farm!

Cost: Complimentary

July 3 – Princess of Manistee Sunset Cruise 8:00 PM

This is our most popular excursion! When the weather gets warm, it becomes increasingly in demand. It provides spectacular viewing and beautiful photo opportunities. We cruise offshore on Lake Michigan or we will cruise the Manistee River and Manistee Lake. Note: 20 individuals are required to run the trip.  If not met, refunds or rebooking are offered. Visit manisteeharbortours.com for booking information!

Cost: $35 per adult (15+), $17.50 per child (4-14), infants are free

July 4 – Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony 9:45 AM

Division / River Street (prior to the parade)

Kick off your 4th of July celebration with a traditional Flag Raising event before the Forest Festival Parade. 

July 4 – Independence Day Parade 10:00 AM

Division / River Street

Travels west on River Street from Division Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot, providing a view of  all of the floats, marchers and other fun parade participants as we recognize our Independence as a nation! Proudly Sponsored by Edward Jones, Jeff Reau and Spicer Group. 

July 4 – Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo 10:00 AM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world! It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s FREE.

Cost: Complimentary

July 4 – Tour of the SS City of Milwaukee 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

SS City of Milwaukee / 99 Arthur Street

Guided tour of the historic national landmark SS City of Milwaukee. Tour the engine room all the way through the beautiful passenger hallway and up to the pilot house!

Cost: $10 for adults, $8 for kids, seniors, and veterans

July 4 – Anderson Midway Carnival 12:00 PM – Dusk 

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $25 Wristbands

July 4 – Festival Marketplace 12:00 PM – Dusk

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

July 4 – Independence Day Sunset Cruise 9:00 – 10:30 PM

Between Elks and WSCC Building / 480 River Street

Relaxing sightseeing Cruise on Lake Michigan. Special time to honor those who fought for our freedom and created this great nation. We will provide complimentary appetizers / horderves, beverages, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Cabernet Wines to celebrate this great Historical occasion. There will be special treats for the little ones. Minimum of 20 adults for tour to run. Book now at fareharbor.com!

Cost: $50 per adult (14+), $25 per child (4-13), Infants (0-3) free

July 4 – Fireworks over Lake Michigan proudly sponsored by Little River Casino Resort Dusk (Approx. 10:30 PM) First Street Beach 

Enjoy the traditional fireworks show. Tune into The Eagle 101.5 for synced music!