Photo by Joost Crop on Unsplash.com

Kaleva Heritage Days

July 2026

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 2025:

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

Saturday

  • All Day – Bounce Houses
  • Throughout the Day – Tractor Show, call Les at (231) 299-5392 for more info
  • 8am – Softball Tournament with ASA/USA rules. 
  • 8am – The Spinning Mug Mobile Espresso Bar opens
  • 8-11am – Pancake Breakfast at the Kaleva Lions Club- 14361 9 Mile Rd., Kaleva
  • 8:30am – Finnish Line 5k Fun Run beginning at the Community Center- 14407 Industrial Dr., Kaleva. 
  • 9am-3pm – Car Show, call Sean at (517) 554-6938 for more info
  • 9am-4pm – Arts & Crafts Show. 
  • 11am-2pm – Kids Games & Face Painting
  • 11am-2pm – Meet Our First Responders
  • 12-7pm – Open House at the Kaleva Community Center- 14361 9 Mile Rd, Kaleva
  • 2pm – Pie-Eating Contest (three age divisions: 7 and under, 8-12, and 13+)
  • 3pm – Finnish Wife Carrying Contest
  • 4pm – Water Ball Match with the Fire Department 
  • 4-6:30pm – Spaghetti Dinner
  • 7pm – Parade beginning at Village Park
  • 8:30pm-12am – Live music featuring Truck Driver Bingo
  • Dusk – Fireworks over Village Park

Sunday

  • 10am – Worship in the Park hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church with live music featuring the Salt City Dixie Jazz Band
  • 12-2pm – Live music featuring Jane Amstutz
  • 12-3pm – Pasty Dinner by Kaleva Lions Club
  • 12-4pm – Arts & Crafts Show

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

Manistee County Visitors Bureau

(877) 626-4783

facebook.com

Stay tuned here for info on Kaleva Heritage Days 2026!

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