Photo by Joost Crop on Unsplash.com

Kaleva Heritage Days

July 15th-16th, 2023

Kaleva, in the center of Manistee County, holds a festival in mid-July. The festival includes Kaleva School Reunion, food, softball tournament, car show, pony rides, games and contests, parade, arts and crafts, and fireworks. Kaleva was founded by Finnish settlers and many of its streets boast Finnish names. The Bottle House Museum, built with 60,000 glass bottles by John Makinen, is listed on the National Historic Register. It is owned and operated by the Kaleva Historical Society and houses historical displays. Another landmark in Kaleva is the RR Depot Museum which houses railroad artifacts and displays. 

Here is the Typical Event Schedule for Kaleva Days:

*All events take place at the Roadside Park unless other wise noted

Friday

Set-up & Camping

Saturday

  • Co-ed Rock ‘n Roll Softball Tournament
  • 10am- 3pm – Arts & Crafts Show
  • Kids Pie-Eating Contest
  • Kids Activities (for ages 1-16)
  • Car Show in Downtown Kaleva
  • Pony Rides
  • Adults Pie-Eating Contest
  • Manistee/Benzie Snowbirds Swap Meet
  • Chicken Squat Game
  • Paint a Car
  • Finnish Wife Carrying Contest
  • Silent Auction
  • 50/50 Raffle
  • Silent Auction for Sportsman’s Club Quilt
  • Euchre Tournament at the Kaleva Tavern
  • Kaleva Class Reunion at Kaleva Tavern
  • Fireworks

Sunday

  • Church Service (w/ live music & sweets)
  • Parade
For more information or tickets to Kaleva Days, please contact:

Manistee County Visitors Bureau

(877) 626-4783

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