Schedule Of Events
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM : Manistee National Forest Open House
Come see what we do in the Forest Service. Learn about wildlife, botany, forestry, silviculture, archaeology, recreation, and fire. Tour the historic Chittenden Nursery. Activities for kids. Meet Smokey Bear! Spray a fire hose!
Location: Chittenden Nursery, 1170 Nursery Rd., Wellston, MI
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM : A Red, White & Boom Shop Scavenger Hunt
We’re hiding small Pure Manistee tokens all around the store — find one and win a prize! Limit 1 prize per person, while supplies last.
Location: Pure Manistee Gifts, 333 River Street, Manistee MI
10:00 AM - Dusk : Whispering Pines Petting Zoo
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly petting zoo with animals from Whispering Pines. Free to attend!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM : Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel
60 minute shows every day of the festival at 11AM, 2PM, and 5PM, located at Douglas Park in the Marketplace. You’ve never seen an act like this: it’s Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel! Come meet the little legend and watch Twiggy catch some waves.
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM : Sandcastle Story Time at 5th Avenue Beach
Join Miss Angie from the Manistee County Library for beachside stories and playtime with the library’s beach toys.
Location: 5th Avenue Beach, 108 Lakeshore Drive, Manistee, MI
11:00 AM - Dusk : Madkat Taggers: Gel Ball Tag
Come enjoy a family-friendly game of gel-ball tag, located in the Marketplace at Douglas Park! Open every day of the festival from 11:00 AM to Dusk. $5 per game per person.
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
12:00 PM : Timber Art: Chainsaw Carvings
Timber Art chainsaw carvings every day of the festival at 12PM, 3PM, and 6PM!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM : Axe Throwing with Tapped Axes
Experience the thrill of axe throwing with Tapped Axes! Open 12PM-5PM on July 2-4 & 6, and open 3PM-8PM on July 5.
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM : “Birds of America” Page Turning & Tea Party
Explore a historic, pre-Civil War folio of The Birds of America. Includes a short history talk, live page turning, and refreshments.
Audience: Adults. Free admission.
Location: Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street, Manistee MI
4:00 PM - Dusk : Anderson Midway Carnival
Rides, games, food, and fun for the whole family!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM : Fused Glass Wave Workshop
Create a beautiful fused glass wave suncatcher! We will walk you step-by-step through the entire creative process.
Location: The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River Street, Manistee MI
7:00 PM - 7:45 PM : Campfire Stories at the Story Park
Hear thrilling tales from Manistee’s past, including the Orchard Beach trolley disaster and the tallest man in the world.
Note: Bring your own chair/blanket. Library closed during event. Weather dependent.
Audience: Adults. Free and open to the public.
Location: Story Park, Manistee County Library, 95 Maple Street
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM : Manistee Harbor Tours: Fireworks Cruise
Enjoy a 2-hour sunset cruise with a perfect view of the fireworks show!
Location: 428 River Street (on the River Boardwalk)
10:30 PM : Fireworks over Lake Michigan
Celebrate Independence Day with a classic fireworks show over Lake Michigan!
Rain Date: Saturday, July 5th
Location: First Street Beach, Manistee, MI
