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Kaleva Heritage Days

July 2025

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 2024:

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

Saturday

  • All Day – Bounce Houses
  • 9am – 5k Fun Run beginning at the Community Center- 14407 Industrial Dr., Kaleva
  • 9am-3pm – Car Show 
  • 9am-4pm – Arts & Crafts Show
  • 9am Through the Fireworks – Concession Stand open until fireworks begin
  • 10am-4pm – Flea Market Fundraiser for KND students traveling to Europe next to Kaleva Barber Shop- 14351 9 Mile Rd., Kaleva.
  • 11am – Kaleva Reads discussion on “Cold Victory” by Karl Marlentes at the Manistee County Library- 14618 Walta St., Kaleva
  • 12-3pm – Kids Games, Hayride, Face Painting
  • 12-3pm – Meet Our First Responders
  • 12-7pm – Open House at the Community Center
  • 2-7pm – Free Rides by Dial-a-Ride to Kaleva Park, Memorial Walkway, Bottle House, Art Gallery, & Bark Recycling. Parking available downtown and at the Community Center. Rides every 20 minutes.
  • 3pm – Finnish Wife Carrying Contest
  • 3:15pm – Pie-Eating Contest (three age divisions: 7 and under, 8-12, and 13+)
  • 3:30pm – Corn Hole Tournament Check-in
  • 3:30-5pm – Music by 1Wave DJ’s
  • 4pm – Corn Hole Tournament Begins
  • 4pm – Water Ball Match with the Fire Department 
  • 4-7pm – Spaghetti Dinner at the Community Center
  • 5pm – Kickball on the Baseball Field at the back of Village Park
  • 5-6:30pm – Live music 
  • 7pm– Parade beginning at Village Park
  • 8:30-11:30pm – Live music
  • Dusk – Fireworks over Village Park

Sunday

  • TBA – Bounce Houses
  • 10am – Worship in the Park
  • 12pm – Pulled Pork Lunch & Bake Sale
  • 12-3pm – Live music featuring The Downtowners
  • 12-4pm – Arts & Crafts Show

Stay tuned for more information on Kaleva Days 2025!

For more information or tickets to Kaleva Days, please contact:

Manistee County Visitors Bureau

(877) 626-4783

facebook.com

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