Photo by Joost Crop on Unsplash.com

Kaleva Heritage Days

July 2027

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's what happened in 2026:

*Events take place at Village Park in Kaleva unless other wise noted

Saturday

All Day– Bounce Houses
8am – Softball Tournament with ASA/USA rules (overflow games played at Community Center field- 9208 Kauko St.)
9am-3pm – Car Show downtown along Walta Street, call Sean at (517) 554-6938 for more info
Following Car Show – Burnout Contest at the Water Tower
9am-4pm – Arts & Crafts Show downtown along Walta Street, call Les at (231) 299-5392 for more info
9am-4pm – Kaleva Art Gallery is open, 14449 Wuoksi Ave.
11am-2pm – Kids Games & Face Painting
11am-2pm – Meet Our First Responders
12-4pm – Kaleva Depot Railroad Museum is open, 14420 Walta St.
12-4pm – Bottle House Museum is open, 14551 Wuoksi Ave.
2:30pm – Finnish Wife Carrying Contest
4pm – Water Ball Match featuring local Fire Departments
7pm – Parade beginning at Village Park
Following the Parade – Pie-Eating Contest (three age divisions: 7 and under, 8-12, and 13+)
8:30pm-12am – Live music featuring The Downtowners
Dusk – Fireworks over Village Park

Sunday

8am-12pm – Pancake Breakfast at the Kaleva Lions Club- 14361 9 Mile Rd., Kaleva
10am – Worship in the Park hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church with live music featuring the Salt City Dixie Jazz Band
11am-2:30pm – American Picnic Meal featuring fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, roll, apple hand pie, and choice of drink at a cost of $15 for adults and $10 for ages 10 and under. Maple Grove Community Center-
9208 Kauko St.
11am-4pm – Arts & Crafts Show downtown along Walta Street, call Les at (231) 299-5392 for more info
11:30am-1:30pm – Live music featuring Nick Veine
12-4pm – Kaleva Art Gallery is open, 14449 Wuoksi Ave.
12-4pm – Bottle House Museum is open, 14551 Wuoksi Ave.
1pm – Cornhole Tournament registration
2pm – Cornhole Tournament