Photo by Northwestern Michigan Fair

Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City

August 3rd-9th, 2025

The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is held in mid-August. It was established in 1908 and has been held at its current location at 3606 Blair Town Hall Rd., Traverse City, since 1975. The fair continues to follow its original purpose of celebrating area agriculture and youth programs.

Gates are open from 8am-11pm, Livestock Barns are open from 10am–10pm, Exhibit Building is open from 10am–10pm (Mon-Sat), Midway is open Mon-Sat (see below for times)

Here's what happened in 2024:

Sunday, August 3rd, 2025: Family Day

  • 9am – Open Pee Wee Goat Breed, Showmanship, Pack, Obstacle in Rosa Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Cavy & Rabbit Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
  • 10am – Draft Horse Team, Wagon in the Horse Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Differently-Abled Swine Show in the Swine Barn
  • 12pm – 4-H Dog Agility, Rally Obedience, Obedience, & Showmanship outside Rosa Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H My Goat & Me Interviews 
  • 5pm – Vows with the Cows. Interested couples should email woodhamsc50@gmail.comwith both of names, how long you have been married, and why you would like to renew your wedding vows at this event. Couples who are chosen receive a renewal of vows certificate, cake, refreshments, a Ferris wheel ride sponsored by Arnold’s Amusements, and dinner for 2.
  • 7pm – TNT Bump ‘n Run in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Glow Party
  • TBA – Pancake Breakfast
  • TBA – Horse Pulls in the Grandstand
  • TBA – Midway Opens

Monday, August 4th, 2025: Veterans/Seniors Day

  • 7pm – Truck & Tractor Show in the Grandstand
  • 8am – Open Swine Show in Haberlein Arena
  • 8:30am – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Market in the Poultry Barn
  • 8:30am – 4-H Horse Halter, Showmanship, Pole Bending, Keyhole, Speed & Action, Costume, Hobby Horse, & Horse Skillathlon in the Horse Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Breed Cavies, Market Rabbits, Breed Rabbits, Open Breed Cavies & Rabbits in the Rabbit Barn
  • 9am – 4-H Swine Showmanship in Haberlein Arena
  • 9:30am – 4-H Differently Abled Program Show in the Greenspace Tent
  • 1pm – 4-H Swine Market in Haberlein Arena
  • 1pm – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
  • 1pm – 4-H Lamb Market in Rosa Arena
  • 4:30pm – Open Lamb Showmanship & Breed in Rosa Arena
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent
  • TBA – Cloverbud Activities
  • TBA – Homemaker of the Year Presentation
  • TBA – Veterans’ Memorial & Ice Cream Social
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025: 4-H Day

  • 8am– Open Heifer, Cow, Cow/Half, Bull, Bred, & Owned at Haberlein Arena
  • 8am – Open Dairy Feeder, Jr. Beef, & Large Beef at Haberlein Arena
  • Following Open Cattle Shows – 4-H Dairy Feeder, Jr. Beef, & Large Beef
  • 8:30am – Horse English Equitation, English Pleasure, Dressage, & Trail in the Horse Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Lamb Showmanship, Market, Breed, Pack, & Draft in Rosa Arena
  • 10am-3pm – 4-H Blood Drive at the Front Gate
  • 1pm – 4-H Lamb Showmanship, Clover Buds to follow in Rosa Arena
  • 6pm – 4-H & Open Llama/Alpaca Showmanship & Halter Class in Rosa Arena
  • 7pm – SJO Motocross in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Movie Night
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent

Wednesday, August 6th, 2025: Kids & Special Kids Day

  • 8:30am – 4-H Horse Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Reining, Western Riding, Indiana Flag Race, & Cloverleaf in the Horse Arena
  • 9-11am – Differently-Abled Program Petting Zoo
  • 9am – 4-H Large Beef Showmanship, Large Dairy Beef, Dairy Feeder, Clover Buds to follow in Haberlein Arena
  • 1pm – 4-H Rabbit Skillathon
  • 2pm – 4-H Goat Talent & Costume Show, and Parade, Open Goat Fun Class in Rosa Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H & Open Llama & Alpaca Costume Class, Obstacle Course, & Pack in Rosa Arena
  • 5-7pm – 4-H Auction Buyer Pre-Registration
  • 7pm – Lawnmower & Mini Wedge Races in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent

Thursday, August 7th, 2025: AG Day

  • 8am – 4-H Auction Buyer Registration
  • 9am – 4-H Large Animal Auction in Haberlein Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Small Animal Auction in Rosa Arena
  • 11am-2pm – 4-H Buyers’ Luncheon in the Greenspace Tent
  • 7pm – Tough Trucks in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
  • 8:30pm – 4-H Movie Night
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent

Friday, August 8th, 2025: Demo Day

  • 8:30am – Open Horse Show
  • 9am-3:30pm – 4-H Blood Drive outside the Jr. Beef Barn
  • 9am – 4-H Cloverbud Showmanship- Rabbits, Cavies, Poultry in Rosa Arena (south end)
  • 10am – 4-H Goat Clover Bud Showmanship in Rosa Arena (north end)
  • 10am-1pm – 4-H Farm Dog in Haberlein Arena
  • 12-5pm – Reduced rates on carnival rides for 4-H members
  • 1pm – 4-H Fun Classes in Haberlein Arena
  • 1pm – 4-H Rabbit Fun Classes & Agility in the Greenspace Tent
  • 4pm – 4-H Grand Champion Showmanship Showdown in Haberlein Arena
  • 7-11pm – All 4-H Dance in Rosa Arena
  • 7pm – TNT Bump & Run and Demolition Derby in the Grandstand
  • 7:30-9pm – 4-H Differently Abled Party in the Greenspace Tent
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
  • 11pm-12am – Adult Only Dance in Rosa Arena
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent

Saturday, August 9th, 2025: Fair Finale Day

  • 7pm – Twisted P Rodeo in the Grandstand
  • 9am – 4-H Awards Program, Celebration of Champions, & Senior Recognition in Rosa Arena
  • 12-11pm – Reduced rates on carnival rides for 4-H members
  • 2pm – Fair Queen Pageant in Rosa 
    Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H Fun Saturday Games at Haberlein Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H Fun Saturday Cloverbud Games in the Greenspace Tent
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
  • TBA – Midway Opens
  • TBA – Bingo Tent

Stay tuned for information on the 2025 Northwestern Michigan Fair!

For more information on the Northwestern Michigan Fair, please contact the event organizer:

Northwestern Michigan Fair Board

3606 Blair Townhall Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685

(231) 943-4150

northwesternmichiganfair.net

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