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Set in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, Baldwin is a haven for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Surrounded by many lakes and rivers, visitors to Baldwin love the area as a place to fish, camp and hunt. There are also fun festivals and special events to enjoy.
Here we’ve condensed the most popular annual happenings, so you can see at a glance which time of year you may want to visit our wonderful area. Welcome to Baldwin!
Motorcycles of all varieties and sizes make their way to Baldwin every May for the annual Blessing of the Bikes. This ever-popular event began in 1972 with four bikes and eight riders. Today, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts head to Baldwin to celebrate the joy of two-wheel travel. Between 5,000-10,000 bikes are expected in Baldwin annually for this Blessing of the Bikes celebration.The family-friendly event is held every year on the third Sunday in May. The market in downtown Baldwin features vendors who sell leather and other items, with tattoo artists also on-site.
Since 1957, thousands of people have annually met in Baldwin every July to enjoy themselves at the Troutarama Festival. One of the highlights of the Troutarama Festival is the Grand Parade with a performance by the “world famous” Scottville Clown Band.
troutaramaThe Troutarama is packed with even more fun including the Schmidt Amusements Carnival, Youth Fishing Derby, and an entertainment tent with live music.
Baldwin and the surrounding areas offer many opportunities to enjoy live music throughout the summer. Events in Baldwin include the Echo Through the Timber Concert Series and Sounds From teh Forest. There are also live music events scheduled nearby in Ludington, Manistee, etc.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.
Pere Marquette River, with it’s moderately fast current and clear water, is an extremely popular river for canoeists and kayakers.
All year long, there are activities going on in the Scottville area to keep everyone happy. No matter what the season, there’s always plenty of great events to keep you coming back. Boredom is never a problem here!
The history of the Pere Marquette River includes Indian culture, early exploration, logging, lumber mills, and the Pere Marquette Railroad.
The Pere Marquette River is extremely popular with canoeists and fishermen. Many camping options are available along the river.
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.