Photo by Joost Crop on Unsplash.com

Kaleva Heritage Days

July 18th-19th, 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