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Bear Lake Days
July, 2023
Each mid-July, the Village of Bear Lake bustles with a variety of activities for the annual Bear Lake Days. The Village is located in the northern part of Manistee County, about 15 miles north of Manistee on US 31. Activities of the 3-day festival typically include an adults and kids fishing contest, pig roast, merchants sidewalk sales, kids games, entertainment tent, boat and pontoon parade, classic car show, arts/crafts fair, summer fun run, bike tour, Saturday night parade and fireworks.
Here’s the Typical Schedule of Events:
Friday
- Kids Pot Pals Garden at Pleasanton Valley Greenhouses- 14758 Pleasanton Hwy., Bear Lake. Cost is $15 per child.
- Bear Lake Days Cold Hard Cash at Absolute Auto Repair & Auto- 7530 Chippewa Hwy., Kaleva.
- Recreate “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa” at the Kedie Norconk Library- 12325 Virginia St., Bear Lake. For kids of all ages.
- Pig Roast, Bear Lake Methodist Church- 7861 Main St., Bear Lake.
- Horse Pull at Correct Compression- 11903 Chippewa Hwy., Bear Lake. Bring your own chairs. Concessions available.
- Boat Parade beginning at Hopkins Lake Boat Launch- 7798 Hopkins Dr., Bear Lake.
- Teen Dance under the tent.
- “Light Up Bear Lake Days”– light up the shoreline with lights, lanterns, etc.
Saturday
- 5k Walk/Run beginning at Hopkins Park- Hopkins Dr., Bear Lake.
- Bear Lake Lions Pancake Breakfast
- Kid’s Fishing Contest
- Car Show at corner of US-31 and Maple St.
- Arts & Crafts and Vendor Booths on Main St.
- Loop the Lake Bike Ride starting north of the Bear on US-31.
- Food trucks open on Lynn St.
- Dunk tank and popcorn at Filer Credit Union- 7685 Lake St., Bear Lake.
- Friends of the Library Book Sale at Bear Lake Library-12325 Virginia St., Bear Lake.
- Boat Wash at Hopkins Park.
- Triginta Brats, Hot Dogs, Water, Pop, & Chips at the Food Court.
- Free t-shirts for kids (while supplies last, library tour, and sign up for library cards at Keddie Norconk Library-12325 Virginia St., Bear Lake.
- Kids Activities & Fire trucks on display at Bear Lake Township Fire Department- 7771 Lake St., Bear Lake.
- Lumberjack Show at Bear Lake Museum Parking Lot- 7750 Main St., Bear Lake.
- Live music
- Free carriage rides provided by Fantail Farm, LLC. Meet by the post office.
- Cornhole Tournament at Bear Lake Fire Department. $40 per team. Call (231) 864-3517 for more information or to register.
- Rock painting under the tent.
- Watermelon Eating Contest
- Scottville Clown Band performance at Blarney Warehouse Parking Lot. Bring your own chairs.
- Bear Lake Days Parade beginning at Bear Lake High School- 7748 Cody St., Bear Lake. Grand Marshal- Rob Iverson.
- Fireworks over Bear Lake.
Sunday
- Bear Lake Lions Pancake Breakfast at Lakeside Cafe-7833 Lake St., Bear Lake.
- First Baptist Church Service with the Cook Family in Concert, under the tent.
Activities Happening on Multiple Days
- Kid’s Fishing Contest
- Photo Contest
- “Why I Love Bear Lake” Artwork Event at Saddle Up Gas & Grocery- 12991 Pleasanton Hwy., Bear Lake. Kids who drop off artwork about why they love Bear Lake will receive a free small slushy.
- Kids Scavenger Hunt
- Promoters Booth T-shirt Sales under the tent.
- Triginta Club Silent Auction at Bear Lake Township Hall- 777 Lake St., Bear Lake.