Schedule Of Events
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM : Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk
The Fun Run begins at 8:15 AM and the 5K at 8:30 AM. Prizes will be held in 15 age divisions, with overall trophies to 1st Male and 1st Female and also 1st Masters (40+) Male and 1st Masters Female. All proceeds will go to the Manistee Community Track. Registration is $30 ($20 for Fun Run) until June 28th, t-shirt included. $35/$25 after June 28th.
Location: Manistee Middle/High School, 525 12th Street, Manistee MI
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM : Forest Festival Family Day
Bring the whole family for a day filled with food, prizes, and fun, hosted by The Tabernacle.
Location: The Tabernacle Manistee Campus, 77 Hancock Street, Manistee, MI
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM : Manistee Arts & Crafts Show
Discover handcrafted goods from talented artisans. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and unique finds!
Location: Armory Youth Project, 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 - 7:00 PM : Guardian Angels Church Historic Tour & Catholic Mass
Historic 1888 Guardian Angels Church is open for self-guided tours from 10am-2pm. The 110-year old pipe organ will provide musical entertainment inside, and the historic calliope will provide entertainment outside the church. Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 6:00pm inside the church.
Location: 371 5th Street, Manistee, MI
10:00 AM - Dusk : Whispering Pines Petting Zoo
Meet friendly animals at this free, family-friendly petting zoo.
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 - 1:00 PM : Bluey Visits the Bookstore
Stop by to meet Bluey at the bookstore and say “Hello!” to this beloved character.
Location: Hoot & Honey Bookstore, 358 River Street, 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 - 3:00 PM : Henna Tattoos & Face Painting
We will be offering kids face painting as well as all natural, temporary henna tattoos at the Purple Paintbrush studio.
Location: The Purple Paintbrush, 338 River Street, Manistee, MI
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM : 19th Annual 4th of July Cigar Event
Featuring CLE and Asylum cigars and event-only specials!
Location: Surroundings, 423 River Street, Manistee MI
12:00 PM - Dusk : Anderson Midway Carnival
Enjoy a full day of rides, games, and treats at the carnival!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee MI
1:00 PM : Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (LRBOI) 29th Annual Jiingtamok (Powwow)
The LRBOI 29th Annual Jiingtamok (Powwow) takes place July 5th & 6th, with Grand Entries at 1 PM and 7 PM on July 5th, and 12 PM on July 6th. Free camping with showers and bathrooms (first come, first served). This is a drug/alcohol-free event. No violence or politics. No dogs. The LRBOI is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Location: 2596 Loon Drive, Manistee MI
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM : Little Big Shots Talent Show
Hosted by the Manistee Blue Tigers Committee, the Little Big Shots program with performances by local youth ages 4 - 16, showing off their talent!
Location: Armory Youth Project, 555 First Street, Manistee MI
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM : Manistee American Legion Post 10: 3rd Annual Barbeque
Join the Manistee American Legion Post 10 for a FREE barbeque meal (donations recommended), open to legion members and non-members alike. Featuring live music, a cornhole tournament, silent auction items, and tap beer from Third Life Brewing (drink tickets available to purchase).'
Location: 10 Mason St, Manistee MI
3:00 PM : Great Lakes Timber Show
Timber Art chainsaw carvings every day of the festival at 12PM, 3PM, and 6PM!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
3:00 PM - 8:00 PM : Axe Throwing with Tapped Axes
Experience the thrill of axe throwing with Tapped Axes! Located at Douglas Park in the Marketplace. Open 12PM-5PM on July 2-4 & 6, and open 3PM-8PM on July 5.
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM : Riverside Toys: Free Slot Car Racing
Come try out slot car racing at Stewie’s raceway for some Free Family Fun! Adult supervision required.
Location: Riverside Toys, 389 River Street, Manistee MI
6:00 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
6:00 PM : Timber Art: Chainsaw Carvings
Timber Art chainsaw carvings every day of the festival at 12PM, 3PM, and 6PM!
Location: Douglas Park, Manistee, MI
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM : Manistee Beach Jam, featuring Working on Famous
Come rock out at the 2025 Manistee Beach Jam with Working on Famous! This is a BYOB event.
Location: First Street Beach, Manistee MI
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM : Manistee Harbor Tours: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise
Cap off your day with a peaceful 2-hour sunset cruise. While fireworks were on July 3, the view will still be spectacular.
Location: 428 River Street (on the River Boardwalk)
