Schedule Of Events
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM : Free 5-Minute Face Paint
Free 5-minute face paint for kids! Quick and easy way to join the festivities of the day, right before the parade.
Location: The Piping Plover, 385 River Street, Manistee, MI
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM : Floats & Popcorn at The Vogue
Enjoy root beer and orange floats, plus fresh popcorn served for donation in front of the theatre—perfect before or after the parade!
Location: The Vogue Theatre, 383 River Street, Manistee, MI
9:45 AM : Flag Raising Ceremony
The United Veterans Council will provide a flag raising ceremony prior to the Independence Day Parade.
Location: Corner of River Street and Division, Manistee, MI
10:00 AM : Independence Day Parade
Celebrate a tradition dating back to the 1930s! The parade begins at Division Street and travels along River Street, ending at the Armory Youth Project.
Location: River Street, Manistee, MI
10:00 AM - Dusk : Whispering Pines Petting Zoo
Visit a free, family-friendly petting zoo featuring animals from Whispering Pines.
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, 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 - 9:00 PM : Roots on the River - Kickoff Bash
After the parade, head to Veterans Memorial Park for a full day of live music, food trucks, lawn games, and local brews! This is the launch of the Roots on the River concert series (Thursdays in July & August).
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, Manistee, MI
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM : Manistee Arts & Crafts Show
Browse handcrafted art, jewelry, decor, and gifts from regional artisans. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and local vendors.
Location: Armory Youth Project, 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 - 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 : Great Lakes Timber Show
Free, 30 minute shows on July 4th and July 5th at 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM. Put on your plaid and get ready for the Great Lakes Timber Show! Featuring chainsaw carving, axe throwing, wood chopping, one and two-man crosscut sawing, modified chainsawing, log rolling and loads of clean humor for the entire family.
Location: Douglas Park Softball Field, 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
1:00 PM - Dusk : Anderson Midway Carnival
Rides, games, food, and fun continue with the Anderson Midway Carnival!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
3:00 PM : Great Lakes Timber Show
Free, 30 minute shows on July 4th and July 5th at 12 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM. Put on your plaid and get ready for the Great Lakes Timber Show! Featuring chainsaw carving, axe throwing, wood chopping, one and two-man crosscut sawing, modified chainsawing, log rolling and loads of clean humor for the entire family.
Location: Douglas Park Softball Field, Manistee, MI
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM : Riverside Toys: Free Game Play
Grab a table and enjoy FREE game play, with over 90 board games in-store! Adult supervision required.
Location: Riverside Toys, 389 River Street, Manistee MI
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM : Manistee Beach Signs - Sip & Paint Party
We will guide you step-by-step to create a painting of our beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline with a beach sign that you can customize with a short phrase, or your favorite beaches
Location: The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River Street, Manistee MI
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM : Manistee Harbor Tours: Fourth of July Cruise
Enjoy a peaceful sunset cruise on Lake Michigan to close out your Independence Day. Fireworks are scheduled for July 3, but the evening promises beauty and celebration.
Location: 428 River Street (on the River Boardwalk)
