Manistee National Forest Festival 2026

Szymanski named 2026 Forest Festival grand marshal

KEN GRABOWSKI

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mick Szymanski has been named the 2026 Manistee National Forest Festival grand marshal.

Carmen Kott, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer, said the chamber goes through a process each year to select a grand marshal.

“Community members were invited to submit nominations for individuals they felt embodied the spirit and tradition of the grand marshal for the 2026 Independence Day Parade part of the 90th Manistee National Forest Festival,” said Kott.

Once they have the nominations in place, a committee looks them over and selects the most deserving individual for the honor.

“Based on the nominations received,

Mick Szymanski was selected in recognition of his long-standing dedication to the Manistee community and the positive impact he has made throughout the years,” said Kott. “We are honored to celebrate his contributions during one of Manistee’s most cherished traditions and look forward to thanking him as grand marshal during this milestone 90th anniversary celebration.”

As grand marshal, Szymanski will help lead the Manistee National Forest Festival Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on July 4, as it proceeds down River Street.

Szymanski was touched to be named the grand marshal. He said he was just one of many volunteers who step forward to help the community when it is needed.

“It’s quite an honor (and I was surprised);

I am not a famous guy, but just kind of an average person who volunteers here in Manistee,” said Szymanski.

Szymanski has volunteered in Manistee over the past several years with a wide variety of community programs and activities. He returned to his hometown in 2016 after a 34-year career in the Department of Defense with both the Army and Air Force.

“I gave up a real busy job when I retired back to Manistee, so it was important for me to do something and not become a couch potato,” said Szymanski. “I started getting involved with the community and still am.”

During his career with the Department of Defense, Szymanski was primarily working on community and hospitality programs. Retirement

and volunteering gave him the opportunity to continue helping others by donating his time to community projects.

Szymanski currently serves on the City of Manistee Planning Commission and City of Manistee Housing Commission. He has been active in other forms of city government, serving as a member of the city council for two terms.

Being active in veterans' organizations also is important to Szymanski — he volunteers with the American Legion Post 10 and the Manistee County United Veterans Council. He also serves as a volunteer with the Salt City Rock and Blues, the Manistee Lions Club, Manistee Elks Lodge No. 250, Manistee Shoreline Showcase, Knights of Columbus and Divine Mercy Parish.

“I also am currently the president of the Manistee (County) Habitat for Humanity, but that is one where we all work collectively and our executive director pretty much heads it up,” he said. “Habitat and the United Veteran’s Ritual Team are two things I really enjoy doing the most.” He said what he truly loves about Habitat is in addition to building

homes, the nonprofit also performs other smaller construction projects like building ramps for people to keep them in their homes.

“That is kind of like instant gratification (when) you work on something like a ramp, and three days later turn it over to the homeowner,” said Szymanski.

Joining the Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend committee — the event takes place each December in Manistee — was the first step he took in volunteering

when he returned to Manistee.

“That was kind of my first volunteer effort when I first got back here,” he said. “I arrived here in June 2016 and started on that committee one month later in July, as one of my friends was on it and she knew my background was in community events.”

Although Szymanski would like to see more younger people get involved in volunteering, he points out retirees and senior citizens can bring a lot of valuable skills to the table.

“Most of the people I volunteer

with are retirees who are my age or older and they are gainfully employed serving their community where they can, using the talents they developed over many years of different types of jobs,” he said. “That’s what makes Manistee kind of special, as we really do have a lot of community spirit.”

Szymanski said when he and his wife retired here, he never thought there would be this many opportunities to volunteer.

“When I came back, it just kind of trickled in. At first it was just one organization, and then people started to say you should help with this or that,” he said. “As time became available, I started helping with other stuff.”

Another benefit Szymanski said comes from volunteering is meeting new people. He said anyone new to the community who wants to make new friends should consider volunteering.

“Honestly, I have made a great group of friends from volunteering,” he said. “Other than some family members and former classmates, most of the people I call friends are people I have volunteered with over the past 10 years.”

Manistee Forest Festival sets July 3 reworks, July 4 parade for milestone year

Ken GrabowsKi

Contributing Writer

Over the past decades, two things that have been intertwined are the Manistee National Forest Festival and the Fourth of July.

This year is a very special one; both will be celebrating special anniversaries. This year is the 90th year of the Forest Festival and it is the 250th year of America's independence from Britain. It’s something that will be duly noted on the Fourth of July with several signature events taking place.

A signature event every year is the Forest Festival fireworks display, which is shot off from the First Street Beach area at dusk. That has been the traditional location for the festival fireworks for many years. It offers plenty of opportunities for viewing along the beach on both the south and north sides of the Manistee River channel.

During some years, the fireworks take place on the Fourth of July. However, since the holiday is on a Saturday this year, Jensen said people should be aware things will be a little different.

“They are sponsored again by the Little River Casino Resort,” said Jensen. “They will be shot off at dusk on July 3 and if a rain day is needed it will be July 5.”

The crowds are always huge for the fireworks and local law enforcement agencies remind everyone to be safe if they are shooting off their own fireworks prior to the main show. Law enforcement also reminds people to exit the beach area with caution as there are lots of people walking and driving with many areas having limited lighting.

July 4 starts off as it has for years with the annual flag-raising ceremony at the flag pole at the corner of River and Division streets at 9:45 a.m. by the Manistee County United Veteran’s Council.

Members of the public are invited to watch the ceremony before finding their viewing spot on River Street. At 10 a.m. the entries making up the Forest Festival Grand Parade will begin rolling down River Street.

Many people watch the parade from the same location every year and put out lawn chairs hours before the parade to reserve their favorite spot.

Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce

engagement specialist Kaylie Jensen said lots of work has been taking place over the past weeks and months leading up to this big moment. She said the chamber feels the 2026 parade will be another memorable event.

“Things are coming together nicely as many people are filling out applications to be a part of the parade,” said Jensen. “It’s always fun to go around to businesses talking to people and hearing them say they will be in the parade this year or it’s (their) first time in the parade.”

One parade entry that always gets everyone’s attention is the Scottville Clown Band, which will return this year. The band serenades people while waiting for the parade to start and puts on a show when it stops at various locations along River Street to play some of their popular tunes and have fun with the crowds.

Other bands taking part will include the Manistee Area Public Schools marching band under the direction of Ryan Biller.

Jensen said the number of entries is looking good for the parade, and it should include a wide variety of entries.

Festival features fun events for children

Ken GrabowsKi

Contributing Writer

The Manistee National Forest Festival has fun things to do for all age groups, but there are some events designed specifically for children.

Petting

zoo

The Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo has been a part of the festival for more than 20 years. It’s always located right between the two softball fields at First Street Beach. It gives kids the opportunity to get up close and pet animals.

Whispering Pines owner Kirk Elya said he love being a part of the Forest Festival and interacting with the people. He said Whispering Pines plans to bring plenty of animals that are guaranteed to be enjoyed by both the young and young at heart.

“We are bringing a large petting zoo with a variety of goats, sheep, miniature Zebu cow from India, four horned sheep, a camel,” said Elya. We are also bringing a couple of animals to view and not pet like prairie dogs, a couple snakes, including a red tailed boa.

Elya said they also plan to bring some exotic species.

“We are bringing a fox from Egypt, which are real popular and people can get photos with them,” said Elya. “They are the world's smallest fox and only get like 3 pounds fully grown, which is very unique.”

They also bring African serval, which is in the lynx family. Elya says he is like a a pet.

“He stays right in the house with me and sleeps with me along with a caracal that is in the lynx family too,” said Elya. “Over the years we have brought all these animals.”

Elya said the animals he brings to Manistee gives kids and even adults the opportunity to learn more

about them and have the chance to interact with them.

“I think that is very important, because it puts a memory in their head,”he said. “They learn more about animals and taking care of our wildlife.”

Coming to Manistee during the Forest Festival is something Elya and his staff always enjoy.

“I have a prime location

where we are located and been there for over 20 years, and I just love it up there,” he said. “It’s like I am on vacation, and the support the community gives is just wonderful.”

The petting zoo will be open from 10 a.m. until dusk July 2-5.

Carnival

Another event popular with the children every year

during the Forest Festival is the Anderson Midways Carnival, which run from July 1-5 in the parking lot at First Street Beach. Hours are 4-10 p.m. July 1, 1 p.m. to dusk July 2-3, noon to dusk July 4 and noon-5 p.m. July 5.

Peggy Anderson, owner of Anderson Midways Carnival, said they are bringing lots of rides and fun games for

children to enjoy.

“We are bringing all the rides and things people can think of,” said Anderson. “There is going to be something for everyone.” Anderson said individual tickets and an all day pass can be purchased online at AndersonMidways.com. When all day passes are purchased in advance online before the festival begins

they are $25 as opposed to $30 when purchased at the carnival.

This year there will be a new ride for younger children to check out.

“We have a new ride called ‘The Airplane Safari,’ which allows them to ride little airplanes that go up and down, that the kids seem to love,” said Anderson. “There is another one called ‘Tippy Canoe’ where they ride in a canoe and it goes back and forth.”

All the other rides they have been bringing for the past several years will be back again for everyone to enjoy.

“We are bringing the Hurricane and Tornado for the older kids and there really isn’t a better view than from the Ferris Wheel down at the beach,” said Anderson. “It’s a great view and really something to see at sunset.”

Anderson said they always look forward to coming to

Manistee for the Forest Festival because their location is the best, and they enjoy the people.

Gel ball tag

Another fun kids event returning to the Forest Festival is the Madkat Taggers: Gel Ball Tag.

Owners Daniel Madrigal and Robert Katrinic say it is a fun activity that is similar to paintball or Airsoft games.

“Gel ball is played with these little plastic beads we soak in water and they only get to a certain size. We have these battery-powered blasters that shoot them out, so it is almost like paint ball,” said Madrigal told the News Advocate in a previous interview. “The beads are non-hurting and don’t leave any staining to the clothes.”

For $5 per game per person, kids can enjoy the family-friendly game of gel ball tag from 11 a.m. to dusk July 1-5 at Douglas Park at First Street Beach.

Acrobatic show added, duck race and craft show return

Ken GrabowsKi Contributing Writer

Overthedecades,theManistee NationalForestFestivalhasadded neweventsandrevivedothersafter years-longabsences.

The2026festivalfallsintothat category.

Onenewevent—theArestov’s AcrobaticExtravaganza—makesits debutwhiletheForestFestivalDuck Racereturnsforthefirsttimein sevenyears.

Athirdeventwillbeacombination ofoldandnew:theArtisanFairwill bemovingbacktoRedSzymarek ParkonFifthAvenueafterbeingheld forthepasttwoyearsattheArmory YouthProject.

Acrobatic show

IvanArestov,ownerofArestov’s AcrobaticExtravaganza,saidpeople attendingtheirshowaregoingtobe treatedtoplentyofexcitingcircuslikeactivities.

“Theshowisadualperformance; meandmypartnerdoawidevariety ofcircusskills,”saidArestov.“They

range from juggling skills, while my partner does contortion and I do balancing, handstands and other tricks on the top of chairs stacked up to 20 to 25 feet in height.”

Arestov is a second generation circus performer who started his career performing when he was 4 years old. He said he loves performing for the crowds and enjoys sharing the performance ring with them as well.

“We also have moments of crowd participation as we bring in some of the kids to the center of the ring to teach them skills they can perform before the crowd to get a feel of what it is like to be a circus performer,” said Arestov. “They also will get prizes for being part of the show, and they get out there, they find out it is easy and fun to do.”

Arestov said this is the first time they have come to the Manistee area for a performance and are looking forward to putting on a good show for the local residents.

“We have done some fairs in Michigan in the past, but this is the first time performing in the Manistee area,” said Arestov. “Our home base is out of Sarasota, Florida.”

Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza

will be putting on three shows a day from July 2-5 at the heart of the Forest Festival events at Douglas Park First Street Beach. Show times are as follows:

• 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. July 2-4; • 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. July 5

“The shows we do are high-energy, interactive, family friendly and fun for all ages,” said Arestov.

Each performance lasts about 25 minutes followed by the performers taking part in a meet and greet with

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the audience.

“People can get some photos at that time and we will answer any questions about the show,” said Arestov. “I have heard nothing but good things about Manistee, and it is going to be fun being a part of the festival.”

Duck race

The Manistee Area Public Schools Band Boosters will be bringing back the Manistee National Forest Festival Duck Race.

The last time the festival duck race took place was in 2019. The boosters are sponsoring it as a fundraiser for the MAPS band program.

People can purchase a plastic duck for $5 each or five ducks for $20. The ducks will be dropped off the Maple Street Bridge following the Independence Day Parade — which starts at 10 a.m. — on July 4.

The ducks “race” with the current of the Manistee River, powering them to a finish line in the river channel

near the Elks Lodge on River Street.

The winners are awarded cash prizes.

“The duck race is back as the band boosters are taking it over with guidance from the Manistee (Area) Chamber of Commerce,” said MAPS Band Booster member Traci Smith.

“The Coast Guard and the Manistee County Sheriff’s (Office) will corral the ducks at the finish line, and Swidorski (Bros. Excavating) will dump them off the bridge to start the race.”

Top prize in the race is $500, while the owner of the second place duck will receive $100 and third place is $50. The last place award is $25. People will be able to cheer their duck along from the Riverwalk.

Smith said the band boosters will use all the funds they raise from the event to benefit the Manistee Area Public Schools Bands programs and scholarships.

“The band is going to play during the parade, but they will be down on the Riverwalk playing during the race as well plus Ducky the mascot will be back to cheer the ducks on,” said

Smith. “Our band director Ryan Biller will be the emcee of the event.”

Smith said tickets can be purchased at the following locations:

• Alpine Chocolate Haus,

• Fricano’s Manistee River

• Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce

• Wagoner Community Center (senior center)

• The Outsider

• Snyder’s Shoes

• Manistee Visitor’s Center

• Pure Manistee

• TJ’s Pub

“We also have a Mariner Bands Facebook and Instagram pages where people can go to find out how or where to purchase tickets,” said Smith. “We would like people to get tickets in advance.”

For any questions, reach Smith at 231-690-5483.

Craft fair

Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce engagement specialist Kaylie Jensen said the Artisan Fair

will have a new look to it this year by moving back to Red Szymarek Park on Fifth Avenue in Manistee.

“The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome the Artisan Fair back to its original home at Red Szymarek Park,” said Jensen.

“It is bringing a renewed sense of tradition and excitement to the festival.”

Jensen said the lineup of artists for this year’s fair is quite impressive.

The craft show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 4 and 5.

“This year’s fair will feature a wide variety of talented makers of hand crafted jewelry, wood, metalwork, fiber and textile arts, ceramics, drawings, paintings, bath and body products, homemade and specialty foods and so much more,” said Jensen.

The craft show will feature some unique pieces of artwork.

“This event allows festival goers the chance to shop for unique handcrafted items while supporting small businesses, artisans and artists from across the region,” said Jensen.

Manistee Forest Festival brings back favorite events

show mixes a little history with some fun family entertainment.

The Manistee National Forest Festival has many “festival favorite” events that return each year.

Organizers started the festival with a forest theme as “an attempt to bring back the glamour and the color of the lumbering times, to show the region as a summer playground, and to focus attention on the development due in this part of the state as the result of federal and state programs stressing conservation, recreation and reforestation.”

It is only fitting that a Lumberjack Show will be showing off some of those lumbering skills.

This year, Lumberjack Enterprises based out of Minnesota will be putting on the show. It will be this group’s first visit to the Manistee area, but owner Jamie Fischer said he is very excited to be coming for three shows a day from July 3-5 at Douglas Park in Manistee.

“We are bringing a couple of lumberjacks who will set up a lumberjack venue putting on shows featuring chainsaws, axes, cross-cut saws and other things,” said Fischer. “There will be demonstrations of how it was done from the 1800s up to the modern day chainsaw.”

Fischer said there will be some fun competitions, like log rolling, and the

“It will be about a 30-minute show, and there will be five lumberjack events in each one,” said Fischer. “My family has been doing this since the 1930s and this is my personal 29th year on the road doing shows.”

He said there will also be a time set aside after the show for audience members to try log rolling, but a waiver must be signed first.

Water skiing squirrel

Another long-time favorite returning this year is Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel.

Twiggy will be performing his antics three times each day from July 1-5 in the parking lot at Douglas Park.

Owner Chuck Best said they have another great show lined up for the Forest Festival.

“They said this is the 90th anniversary of the festival, and the committee felt they had to get Twiggy back for it,” said Best. “We will have Twiggy and Trio, another squirrel who will water ski, plus a third one who is learning how to ski.”

They have been putting on Twiggy shows for the past 48 years. Best said grandparents who saw the show as kids are now bringing their own grandchildren to see it.

“Each show is unique depending upon what the squirrel does; they always do something a little different,” said Best.

It will be about a 15-minute show followed by a meet and greet. Audience members can see Twiggy up close and take pictures with him, Best said.

Firecracker 5K

One of the longest running events to return is the Forest Festival Firecracker 5K run/walk that will take place this year at 8 a.m. on July 4 at the Manistee Middle High School. It will benefit the Manistee Area Public Schools track and field programs.

“What is different this year is it will be on the Fourth of July,” said race committee member Eric Thuemmel. “This race has been going on for over 45 years — first as the Forest Festival 5K and as the Firecracker 5K for the last 23 years — and usually we do it on a Saturday during the festival, but this year that is July 4.”

Thuemmel said the fun run starts at 8 a.m. and the 5K race will start at 8:15 a.m. The race course starts and finishes at the Manistee Middle High School, located at 525 12th Street, and will circle around the beach loop at First Street.

There is an entry fee, and each participant receives a T-shirt. There are various age groups with plaques going to the winners and medals for second and third place.

Registration is $30 before June 27 for the 5K and $20 for the fun

run at michianatiming. com/registration/. After that date, the cost goes up $5 for each event, said Thuemmel.

“They can register on race day as well, but we prefer registration in advance as it is much easier,” he said.

Pancake breakfast

Another of the longstanding traditions to return this year is the Forest Festival Pancake Breakfast at the cafeteria at the Manistee Middle High School. It will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 5.

MAPS food service director Haleigh Savage said they will be serving pancakes hot off the grill.

“It will be $10 for anyone to get all you can eat pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee,” said Savage. “It will benefit the fine arts programs at the school.”

Savage said everyone from board members, administrators and staff volunteer to help with the breakfast.

“You can’t go wrong with all you can eat pancakes, especially the morning after the Fourth of July,” said Savage. “We invite everyone to come out and support our fine arts programs.”

Clown band

Every year the Forest Festival caps off with a crowd favorite: the world famous Scottville Clown Band.

A concert will be held from 3-5 p.m. on July 5 at the Lions Pavilion at Douglas Park First Street Beach.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and refreshments while they sit back to enjoy this humorous and energetic performance.

2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2026 SCHEDULE OF

TheManisteeNationalForestFestivalisslatedfromJuly1-5. Thefollowingisthescheduleofevents,asofJune11.Scheduleissubjecttochange;visitmanisteeforestfestival.com/formoreinformation.

July1

• 10a.m.-Dusk:MadkatTaggersGelBallTag DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 2p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 4p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 4p.m.-Dusk:AndersonMidwayCarnival DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6p.m.:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6-7p.m.:BeachVibesPlatter~BubblePainting TechniqueClass ThePurplePaintbrush,338RiverSt.

July2

• 10a.m.-Dusk:WhisperingPinesPettingZoo DouglasPark,Manistee

• 10a.m.-Dusk:MadkatTaggersGelBallTag DouglasPark,Manistee

• 11a.m.-Noon:SandcastleStorytimebyManisteeLibrary

• FifthAvenueBeach,108LakeshoreDrive,Manistee

• 11a.m.-2p.m.:AnnualKickOfftothe4thofJulyParty

• WagonerCommunityCenter,260StMaryPkwy., Manistee

• Noon:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1p.m.-Dusk:AndersonMidwayCarnival DouglasPark,Manistee

• 2p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 2-4p.m.:America's250thBirthdayCelebration

• ManisteeLibrary,95MapleSt.,Manistee

• 3p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:TimberArt:ChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 4p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 5p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 5-6p.m.:FirstStreetBeachSip&PaintParty ThePurplePaintbrush,338RiverSt.

• 6p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6p.m.:TimberArt:ChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

July3

• 10a.m.-Dusk:WhisperingPinesPettingZoo DouglasPark,Manistee

• 10a.m.-Noon:ManisteeStoneSkipChallenge

• PennyPark,Eastlake

• 10a.m.-3p.m.:FriendsoftheLibraryBookSale

• ManisteeLibrary,95MapleSt.,Manistee

• 10a.m.-5p.m.:Red,White,andBOOMScavengerHunt

• PureManistee,333RiverSt.,Manistee

• 10a.m.-Dusk:MadkatTaggersGelBallTag DouglasPark,Manistee

• 11a.m.:FoodVendorsOpen

• DouglasPark

• Noon:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon-Dusk:AndersonMidwayCarnival DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1:30p.m.:LumberjackShow

• DouglasParkSoftballField

• 2p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3:30p.m.:LumberjackShow

• DouglasParkSoftballField

• 4p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 5p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 5:30p.m.:LumberjackShow DouglasParkSoftballField

• 6p.m.:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6-7p.m.:GreatLakesCloggersDancePerformance RamsdellRegionalCenterfortheArts, 101MapleSt.,Manistee

• 6-9p.m.:AmericanSunsetSip&PaintParty ThePurplePaintbrush,338RiverSt.,ManisteeReservationsarerequired;costis$35

• 7-10:30p.m.:BeachJam FirstStreetBeach

• 8:30-11p.m.:Sunset&FireworksCruise ManisteeHarborTours

• 10:30p.m.:FireworksOverLakeMichigan FirstStreetBeach

July4

• 8-9:30a.m.:ManisteeFirecracker5KRun/Walk&1K FunRun ManisteeMiddleHighSchool,52512thSt.,Manistee

• 8-11a.m.:PancakeBreakfastFundraiserforCarrFire Department WhiskeyCreekCampground,5080SippyRoad,Custer

• 9a.m.-12:30p.m.:Floats&Popcorn TheVogueTheatre,383RiverSt.,Manistee

• 9:45a.m.:FlagRaisingCeremony RiverStreetandDivisionStreet

• 10a.m.:IndependenceDayParade RiverStreet

• 10a.m.-5p.m.:ArtisanFair RedSzymarekPark

• 10a.m.-5p.m.:Red,White,andBOOMScavenger Hunt PureManistee,333RiverSt.,Manistee

• 10a.m.-Dusk:WhisperingPinesPettingZoo DouglasPark,Manistee

• 10a.m.-Dusk:MadkatTaggersGelBallTag DouglasPark,Manistee

• 11a.m.:FoodVendorsOpen DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon-6p.m.:AmericanLegionPost10AnnualRed, White&BBQ

AmericanLegionPost10,10MasonSt.,Manistee

• Noon:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon:TimberArt:ChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon-Dusk:AndersonMidwayCarnival DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1-2p.m.:GreatLakesCloggersDancePerformance JayceesBandshellatVeteransMemorialPark,Manistee

• 1p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1:30p.m.:LumberjackShow

• DouglasParkSoftballField

• 1-6p.m.:FourthofJulyRecoveryBBQandOnlineSilent AuctionFundraiser

• LionsPavilion,FirstStreetBeach;hostedbySaged RecoveryandWellnessCollaborative

• 2p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:TimberArt:ChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3:30p.m.:LumberjackShow DouglasParkSoftballField

• 4p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 5p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 5:30p.m.:LumberjackShow DouglasParkSoftballField

• 6p.m.:TimberArt:ChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6-8p.m.:OutsideatTheOutsider TheOutsider,457RiverSt.,Manistee

• 7-10p.m.:LiveMusicinTheBackyard ManisteeNationalGolf&Resort, 4797GrantHighway,Manistee

• 9-11:30p.m.:4thofJulyCruise ManisteeHarborTours

• 10p.m.:FireworksinCuster WhiskeyCreekCampground,5080SippyRoad,Custer

July5

• 8a.m.-1p.m.:MAPSTraditionalPancakeBreakfast ManisteeMiddleHighSchool,52512thSt.,Manistee

• 10a.m.-5p.m.:ArtisanFair RedSzymarekPark

• 10a.m.-5p.m.:Red,White,andBOOMScavengerHunt PureManistee,333RiverSt.,Manistee

• 10a.m.-Dusk:WhisperingPinesPettingZoo DouglasPark,Manistee

• 11a.m.:FoodVendorsOpen DouglasPark,Manistee

• 11a.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon:BenzieAreaRCClubAirShow DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• Noon-5p.m.:AndersonMidwayCarnival DouglasPark,Manistee

• 1p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 2p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3p.m.:Arestov'sAcrobaticExtravaganza DouglasPark,Manistee

• 3-5p.m.:ScottvilleClownBandConcert

• LionsPavilion,DouglasPark

• 4p.m.:TwiggytheWaterSkiingSquirrel DouglasPark,Manistee

• 6p.m.:TimberArtChainsawCarvings DouglasPark,Manistee