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Family Friendly Events
July, 2022
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, and don’t miss out on all the great Easter Events scheduled throughout West Michigan!
Here’s a list of family friendly events happening in July:
Through August 26th
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.
Through Monday, July 4th
Manistee Forest Festival
Annual event with fun for the whole family.
Through Monday, July 4th
Frankfort-Elberta 4th of July Carnival
Annual old fashioned carnival with rides and games and Carnival food. Hours are Thursday from 5-10pm, Friday from 3-10pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 12-10pm. Frankfort Open Space- 800 Main St., Frankfort.
Friday, July 1st-Saturday, July 9th
Harbor Classic Quarter Horse Show
Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington.
Friday, July 1st-Saturday, July 9th
National Cherry Festival
Annual festival with fun for the whole family including concerts, parades, fireworks, and an appearance by The Blue Angels. For more information, visit cherryfestival.org. Festival Grounds- 521 S Union Street, Traverse City.
Friday, July 1st-Sunday, July 3rd
Luther Days
Annual festival with fun for the whole family including live music, fireworks, 5k run/walk, kids games, rodeo, and more. Downtown Luther. For more information, visit facebook.com/lutherloggingdays.
Friday, July 1st, 5-8pm
Ludington Golf Cart Show
Free golf cart awards show with crystal trophies for winners in eight categories Best Hometown Pride, Best Work in Progress, Farthest Traveled Cart, Best Overall Modified, Best Theme, Cleanest, Best Feature, and Best Use of Homemade Supplies. The event also includes parade, live music, family fun, and prizes. Visit ludingtongolfcartshow.com to register. West Foster St., Ludington.
Saturday, July 2nd, 6-11pm
Hart Sparks Celebration
Free kids activities from 6-9pm, food trucks & vendors from 6-10pm, live music featuring Faster Horses from 7-10:30pm, and fireworks at Dusk.
Sunday, July 3rd, 8am
Stony Lake Sparkler 5k
Starts at Stony Lake Inn- 4722 Scenic Dr., Shelby.
Sunday, July 3rd, 1pm
Ice Cream Eating Competition at Downtown Delights
Each participant will have seven minutes to eat as much ice cream as they can. There will be three age categories: 11 and under, 12-17, and 18 and up. The winner in each category will receive a trophy and gift card to Downtown Delights. The event is free but limited to 15 participants in each age category. Registration is from June 26th-July 2nd by stopping at Downtown Delights- 457 River St., Manistee.
Sunday, July 3rd, 10pm
Pentwater Fireworks
At Charles Mears State Park.
Monday, July 4th
Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival
Event includes 1-Mile Fun Run at 1:30pm, Parade at 2pm, and Fireworks at Dusk. Downtown Ludington.
Tuesday, July 5th-Friday, July 8th
Junior Tennis Clinic
Pentwater Tennis & Pickleball Club- 8502 N. US-31, Pentwater. For more information or to register, visit pentwatertennisclub.com.
Tuesday, July 5th, 10am-12pm
Children’s Pioneer Camp
Kids will learn about the pioneers during this hands-on experience at the Historic White Pine Village- 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Cost is $25 per child and reservations can be made by e-mailing Michelle at michelle@mchshistory.org.
Thursday, July 7th-Saturday, July 9th
Bear Lake Days
Annual festival in Bear Lake with fun for the whole family.
Thursday, July 7th, 4pm
Onekama Block Party
Portage Ave., Onekama.
Saturday, July 9th, 9am-2pm
Young Eagles Rally
The event offers free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17. Pilots and ground support personnel participating in the event donate their time, their planes and fuel. The weather back-up day is Sunday, July 10, same times. For questions, contact Robert Taylor at (231) 690-0397. Register at youngeaglesday.org.
Saturday, July 9th, 11am-3pm
Village History Hunt
Enjoy a fun family scavenger hunt as you interact with Village docents to help you find the missing pieces to the puzzle. Cost is $18 for Adults, $16 for Seniors, $14 for Children ages 4-13, and free for Children under age 4. Historic White Pine Village– 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
Sunday, July 10th, 2pm
Meijer Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
Sunday, July 10th, 4-8pm
Music in the Park
FREE music event at Lindsey’s Park- 310 E. Wilson Dr., Idlewild. Performer TBA. Field games for all ages, picnic tables provided or bring your own table/chairs. Some weekends will include pop-up shops and food vendors. BYOB.
Monday, July 11th-Sunday, July 27th
Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament
Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington
Tuesday, July 12th, 10am-12pm
Children’s Pioneer Camp
Kids will learn about the pioneers during this hands-on experience at the Historic White Pine Village- 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Cost is $25 per child and reservations can be made by e-mailing Michelle at michelle@mchshistory.org.
Thursday, July 14th, 12-5pm
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.
Friday, July 15th-Sunday, July 17th
Kaleva Heritage Days
Annual festival with an arts & crafts show, fireworks, parade, car show, and more. Kaleva Roadside Park.
Saturday, July 16th, 4-10pm
Lakeshore Pyrate Heads Buccaneer Bash
Food trucks, silent & live raffle items, live music by Jimmy Dodson from 4-6pm and Two Dudes in Flip Flops from 6-9pm, and prizes for best Pirate Attire. $5 at the door, kids 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Ludington Boat Club- 502 Lake St., Ludington.
Sunday, July 17th, 2pm
NetJets Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
Tuesday, July 19th, 10am-12pm
Children’s Pioneer Camp
Kids will learn about the pioneers during this hands-on experience at the Historic White Pine Village- 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Cost is $25 per child and reservations can be made by e-mailing Michelle at michelle@mchshistory.org.
Wednesday, July 20th-Saturday, July 23rd
Baldwin Troutarama
Annual festival with fun for the whole family. Downtown Baldwin.
Wednesday, July 20th-Saturday, July 23rd
National Baby Food Festival
Annual festival with fun for the whole family. Main St., Fremont. For more information, visit fremontcommerce.com.
Wednesday, July 20th, 6-8pm
Youth Pickleball Clinic
Pentwater Tennis & Pickleball Club- 8502 N. US-31, Pentwater. For more information, visit pentwatertennisclub.com.
Thursday, July 21st, 11am-3pm
Living History Day
Performances by Suzanne and Jim, musicians who explore new directions by looking back into the roots of Americana music and lore. Cost is $18 for Adults, $16 for Seniors, $14 for Children ages 4-13, and free for Children under age 4. Historic White Pine Village– 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
Friday, July 22nd-Sunday, July 24th
Arcadia Daze
Annual festival in Arcadia with fun for the whole family.
Saturday, July 23rd-Sunday, July 24th
4 Seasons Equestrian Association Open Show
Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington.
Saturday, July 23rd, 10am
Muddy Fox Trot
Family-friendly 5k mud run with a boot camp style obstacle course. West Shore Community College- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Sunday, July 24th, 2pm
Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
Tuesday, July 26th, 10am-12pm
Children’s Pioneer Camp
Kids will learn about the pioneers during this hands-on experience at the Historic White Pine Village- 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Cost is $25 per child and reservations can be made by e-mailing Michelle at michelle@mchshistory.org.
Thursday, July 28th-Saturday, July 30th
Spartan Spectacular Horse Show
Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds- 5302 US-10, Ludington.
Thursday, July 28th, 12-5pm
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.
Thursday, July 28th, 8-10pm
Sunset Bonfire
Free bonfire with live music at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.
Friday, July 29th-Sunday, August 7th
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.
Saturday, July 30th, 5pm
International Hunter Derby Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.
Saturday, July 30th, 6pm
West Shore Bank’s Rhythm & Dunes Concert
Union Guns, an eclectic country band. Free outdoor concert with a portion of the proceeds from vendor sales donated to the music programs at three Mason County schools. Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., downtown Ludington.
Sunday, July 31st, 2pm
Grand Prix Horse Show
Flintfields Horse Park- 6535 Bates Rd., Williamsburg.