Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City
The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is held in mid-August on Blair Townhall Road, Traverse City. It was established in 1908.
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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.
U-Dig It! Youth Summer Program
The U Dig It Community Garden, AFFEW, and Lakeshore Food Club are hosting a highly interactive, hands-on program covering organic gardening, nature, and art experiences for kids ages 9-11. The event is free but pre-registration is required by contacting Julia Chambers at president@affew.org or (231) 690-9561.
National Cherry Festival
Annual festival with fun for the whole family including concerts, parades, fireworks, and an air show. For more information, visit cherryfestival.org. Festival Grounds- 521 S Union Street, Traverse City.
Hart Sparks Celebration
Free kids activities from 6-9pm, food trucks, vendors, and live music from 6-10pm, and fireworks at Dusk.
Pentwater Fireworks
At Charles Mears State Park- 400 W. Lowell St., Pentwater.
Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival
Event includes Children & Pet Parade, 1-Mile Fun Run at 1:30pm, Parade at 2pm, and Fireworks at Dusk. Downtown Ludington.
Hesperia Family Fun Fest
This annual event includes an arts & crafts fair, food trucks, foam party, duck race, live music, and much more. For information, visit facebook.com or email hacc1866@gmail.com.
Manistee National Forest Festival
Annual event with fun for the whole family.
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.
Independence Day Bike Parade
Registration/Line-up at 9:30am, Parade at 10am. Charles Mears State Park– 400 W. Lowell St., Pentwater. For more information, visit pentwater.org.
White Lake Area Fourth of July Celebration
Parade begins at 10am traveling from Whitehall City Hall (7525 Highland Rd., White Lake Charter Township) to Montague City Hall (8778 Ferry St., Montague). Fireworks at Dusk over White Lake. For more info or a parade entry form, visit facebook.com.
Thunder over the Dunes Fireworks
Over the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
Frankfort-Elberta 4th of July Carnival
Annual old fashioned carnival with rides and games and Carnival food. Hours are generally Thursday from 5-10pm, Friday from 3-10pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 12-10pm. Frankfort Open Space- 800 Main St., Frankfort. For more info, call Joanne at (231) 352-7251 or visit frankfortmich.com.
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 7th, same times. For questions, contact John at (231) 757-2951. Mason County Airport- 5300 US-10, Ludington.
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.
Stony Lake Sparkler 5k
Starts at Stony Lake Inn- 4722 Scenic Dr., Shelby.
Beach Photos with Santa
Get a photo with Santa on the beach for $30. Proceeds benefit the Oriole Giving Tree Project, an organization that supports Ludington students/families in need during the holidays. Meet at the West end of Ludington Avenue, Ludington. Schedule your appointment online by clicking here.
Junior Tennis Clinic
Times are age 10 & under: 5:30-6:15pm and 11–16 years old: 6:30-7:45pm. Pentwater Tennis & Pickleball Club- 8502 N. US-31, Pentwater. For more information or to register, visit pentwatertennisclub.com.
Block Party
Portage Ave., Onekama. For more information, visit onekama.info.
Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring West Side Soul Surfers, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.
Bear Lake Days
Annual festival in Bear Lake with fun for the whole family.
Ludington Offshore Classic Fishing Tournament
Waterfront Park- 391 S. William St., Ludington
AFFEW Beach Sweep
Beach clean-up at Stearns Park Beach, Ludington.
National Baby Food Festival
Annual festival with fun for the whole family. Main St., Fremont. For more information, visit fremontcommerce.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.
Diapers & Donuts
West Shore Family Support will be giving away free diapers & donuts to families with children age 3 and under at Crossroads Church of op by Bachelor Evangelical Covenant Church- 5940 E. Sugar Grove Rd., Fountain. Free car seat checks will also be offered.
Beach Photos with Santa
Get a photo with Santa on the beach for $30. Proceeds benefit the Oriole Giving Tree Project, an organization that supports Ludington students/families in need during the holidays. Meet at the West end of Ludington Avenue, Ludington. Schedule your appointment online by clicking here.
Muddy Fox Trot
Family-friendly 5k mud run with a boot camp style obstacle course. West Shore Community College- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Lakeshore Pyrate Heads Buccaneer Bash
Food trucks, silent & live raffle items, live music featuring Jimmy Dodson & Kenny Howell from 4-6pm and RPM 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.
Kaleva Heritage Days
Annual festival with an arts & crafts show, fireworks, parade, car show, and more. Kaleva Roadside Park.
Baldwin Troutarama
Annual festival with fun for the whole family. Downtown Baldwin.
Muskegon Party in the Park
Live music featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks wsg Vincent Hayes & the Raw Deal, kids activities, food/drink trucks, and more. Hackley Park- 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon.
Pentwater Movies on the Green
Free showing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie on the Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater.
Arcadia Daze
Annual festival in Arcadia with fun for the whole family.
Muskegon Open Pro/Am Fishing Tournament
Pro/Am/333 event with a Ladies Prelim and Ladies/Kids fish. For more info, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournament.
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.
West Michigan Old Engine Club Tractor Pull
Free to attend. Dead Sled at 9am, Transfer Sled at 1pm. WMOEC Ground- 700 S. Scottville Rd., Scottville.
Strut Your Mutt 5K Fun Run and 1 Mile Pet Stroll/Walk Fundraiser
Oceana County’s LASSI (Local Animal Shelter Support, Inc.) is sponsoring this event to help support animals staying in the Oceana County Animal Shelter. Registration is $30 which includes a T-shirt and medal, and those with dogs will receive a doggie bandanna and doggie bag. Up North Farm Market- 3890 Monroe Rd., Hart. Register at adventuresignup.com.
Cruise-In Car Show
Street Rods, Muscle Cars, Trucks, Cycles, Customs, all welcome. Includes music, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, and food. Prizes awarded at 1:30pm. Downtown Grand Haven.
The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is held in mid-August on Blair Townhall Road, Traverse City. It was established in 1908.
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
Pentwater Homecoming is a summer celebration with numerous activities for the entire family including fireworks, concerts and more!
Spend a Friday afternoon and evening strolling around the galleries in the quaint harbor village of Pentwater.
Each August, the “Two Lake Town” of Onekama near Manistee hosts it’s annual Onekama Days celebration with fun for the whole family.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
Summertime means outdoor arts and crafts fairs, and communities in Manistee County often include these fairs as part of their festivals.
Enjoy the warmth of a bonfire on the beach! The Ludington Fire Department mans the fire while you enjoy the sunset.
Summer’s coming to an end, so save some money while shopping during downtown Pentwater’s Sidewalk Sale Days!
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Various farm markets around Traverse City offer a bounty of the best-tasting produce around, with many open from May until early fall.
The West Michigan area, with many small lakes and rivers to explore, is a popular location for paddle sports.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.
Dune Rides in your ATV or ORV are popular at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan, but many rules and regulations apply.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.