Western Michigan Fair in Ludington
Smaller towns set themselves apart from big cities by local events. That’s very evident when Ludington hosts the Western Michigan Fair.
Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
The lakeshore communities of West Michigan do a fantastic job of hosting events and activities that include the whole family. There’s so much happening that is geared specifically toward kids and families as a whole, and that’s part of what makes being here so amazing!
Every season in West Michigan has it’s unique, fun things to do for kids of all ages- from babies up to the “young at heart”. Indoors or outdoors, no matter the time of year, there’s always something great going on along the lakeshore for families to experience together!
In addition to the following list, check out all the special events and programs provided by Sandcastles Children’s Museum and the Ludington and Scottville branches of the Mason County District Libraries.
Win & Bette Matteson Annual Big Fish Contest
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. For more information or to register, visit pentwaterpsa.org/annual-big-fish-contest.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Annual Festival with fun for the whole family. Downtown Grand Haven. For tickets or more information, visit tickets.coastguardfest.org.
Pentwater Civic Band Concerts
Weekly Summer Civic Band Thursday night concerts begin on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.
Annual Old Engine Club Show
This annual 3-day show has different events each day including daily tractor pulls featuring antique tractors, garden tractors, and doodle bugs. Times are 9am-7pm on Thursday and Friday, and 9am-6pm on Saturday. Daily events include tractor parades, large flea market, arts and crafts and swap meet. For more information, visit facebook.com.
Onekama Days
Annual festival in Onekama with fun for the whole family.
Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Indika, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.
Friday Night Live
Free event with live music, non-profit organization booths, and food. Front Street between Union Street and Park Street, Traverse City.
Pentwater Movies on the Green
Free movie featuring Minecraft on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.
Copemish Heritage Days
Annual community festival featuring a parade, live music, 5k, and more. For the most updated information, visit copemishheritagedays.com.
COVE Benefit Beach 5k/10k Run/Walk
Charles Mears State Park- 400 W. Lowell St., Pentwater.
Northwestern Michigan Fair
Multi-day event with fun for the whole family. 3606 Blair Town Hall Rd.- Traverse City.
Western Michigan Fair
Multi-day event with fun for the whole family. Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US-10, Ludington.
Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Free outdoor movie and Baby Badger rides for kids from 7:30-8:45pm when the movie begins. Featuring “Despicable Me 4”. Concessions available for sale. Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.
Swim for Grand Traverse Bay
Celebrate clean, healthy water in Grand Traverse Bay with a unique open water swim event to benefit The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, a non-profit that works to protect the bay and its 1,000-square-mile watershed. Registration is $45 and required. Register by visiting runsignup.com. Greilickville Harbor Park- 13132 S. West Bay Shore Dr., Traverse City.
Great Lakes Surf Festival
This event is a celebration of Great Lakes surf culture and is open to all types of board sports disciplines that enjoy the surf. It includes music, various lessons, awards, giveaways, and more. Visit greatlakessurffestival.com for more information.
Backpack Blowout
Children will receive free backpacks and school supplies. There will also be free walking taco dinner, games for all ages, raffles with prizes, books for children, various children’s activities and more. Children must be present. Trinity Lutheran Church- 5631 W. Stony Lake Rd., New Era.
Manistee County Fair
Fun for the whole family at the Manistee County Fairgrounds- 7587 1st St., Onekama.
Back to School Backpack Bonanza
Mason County students in grades Kindergarten-12th grade (with a parent/guardian) are invited to play a round of free mini golf and receive a free backpack and school supplies. Children must be present. There will also be free face painting and temporary tattoos. The event is limited to 400 students. Ludington Area Jaycees Mini Golf at 900 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington. For more info, visit facebook.com.
Bus Day to Big Point Sable Lighthouse
Free concert from 1-3pm. Bus transportation from 12pm-5pm. Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.
Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Free outdoor movie and Baby Badger rides for kids from 7:30-8:45pm when the movie begins. Featuring “Minecraft”. Concessions available for sale. Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.
Pentwater Homecoming Celebration
Pentwater’s biggest event of the year includes fun for the whole family!
Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Let There Be Rock wsg Psychotic Paradise, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.
Pentwater Movies on the Green
Free movie featuring Frozen on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.
The Monster Fishing Tournament
Monster Ladies/Kids prelim on Friday. Weigh your best 5. $100/team. $10,000 Cash Purse (30 boat min). All Big Checks Doubled. All 333 Choice & Combo Prizes Awarded. Additional Cash Payouts Based on Registration. Sequestered Weigh In Day 1. $400 Entry. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournaments.
Horse Shows
MCE Equestrian Speed Show at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington.
Arts & Drafts Festival
This annual event includes an art fair, Arts & Dash 5K, Arts & Wheels Car Show, a children’s activity, area and a beverage tent featuring live music. For details and to sign up for various events, visit nortonshoresparksandrecreation.com.
Shelby Fruit Festival
This event includes live music, car show, food trucks, big wheel race, craft vendors, book walk,
free rides & activities for children, and more. 4101 Buchanan Rd., Shelby. For more info, visit facebook.com.
Michigan’s Free ORV Weekend
Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can ride DNR-designated routes and trails without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit.
Horse Shows
Mason County Saddle Club at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington.
Lake Michigan Carferry Shoreline Cruise
Lake Michigan Carferry cruise along the Ludington shoreline. Tickets include food and live entertainment and a cash bar is available. Shoreline cruises will sail rain or shine. Children 4 & Under are free. No passes will be accepted for this event. Tickets are non-refundable. 701 Maritime Dr., Ludington.
Diapers & Desserts
Families with children ages 3 and under are invited to attend. A parent or legal guardian must be present to receive diapers for the child(ren). We will have diapers up to size 6 available. Car seat safety checks will be available upon request. Sponsored by the First Methodist Church of Scottville. West Shore Family Support- 603 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington.
Downtown Ludington’s Movies in the Park
Free outdoor movie and Baby Badger rides for kids from 7:30-8:45pm when the movie begins. Featuring “Wonka”. Concessions available for sale. Rotary Park- corner of Ludington Ave. and Lewis St.
Cedar Polka Fest
Annual festival with fun for the whole family include live music, food, car show, 5k, and more! Visit cedarpolkafest.org for more information. Festival Grounds- 3075 E. Sullivan St., Cedar.
Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Rockstar, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.
Young Eagles Rally
The event offers free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17 at the Wexford County Airport- 8040 E. 34 Rd., Cadillac. Pilots and ground support personnel participating in the event donate their time, their planes and fuel. For more info, visit chapters.eaa.org.
Annual Grant Fire Department Chicken Dinner
Tickets are $15 and include 1/2 BBQ chicken, baked potato, baked beans, dinner roll, corn on the cob, sweet & sour cabbage, dessert, and drinks. There will also be a classic car show. 835 W. Hoague Rd., Manistee.
Oceana County Fair
Oceana County Fairgrounds- 1025 S. State St., Hart.
Horse Shows
Shoreline All Breed Youth Show at Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 W. US 10, Ludington.
Brethren Days
The village of Brethren hosts in annual festival with activities for the whole family.
Bus Day to Big Point Sable Lighthouse
Free concert from 1-3pm. Bus transportation from 12pm-5pm. Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park- 8800 M-116, Ludington.
“Honoring Our Elders” Traditional Pow-Wow
Native American social celebration with drumming, singing, dancing, storytelling, food, raffles, and arts and crafts vendors. Suggested admission is $5/person, $20 carload max. For more information, visit oceanacountyfair.com.
LaborFest
Car show, parade, live music, and food/beverage tent. First Street Beach, Manistee. Visit saltcityrb.com for more information or tickets.
Smaller towns set themselves apart from big cities by local events. That’s very evident when Ludington hosts the Western Michigan Fair.
Summertime and music just go together perfectly and at the Village Green in the center of Pentwater, the evening is simply charming.
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.
Each August, the “Two Lake Town” of Onekama near Manistee hosts it’s annual Onekama Days celebration with fun for the whole family.
Enjoy the warmth of a bonfire on the beach! The Ludington Fire Department mans the fire while you enjoy the sunset.
Summertime means outdoor arts and crafts fairs, and communities in Manistee County often include these fairs as part of their festivals.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Hop aboard the Lake Michigan S.S. Badger Carferry! Take the famous cruise across Lake Michigan and experience the Badger and all it has to do!
Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Scottville Riverside Park, along the Pere Marquette River, has over 50 modern sites and is popular for camping and fishing.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!