This is the signature event of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce. Hosted every year over the 4th of July/Independence Day Holiday, the Manistee National Forest Festival is a Manistee County tradition stretching back over 80 years!

Drawing thousands of tourists to the area along with many residents returning home, this festival embodies the idea of "community" that so many love about this area.

Each year, the Forest Festival boasts events such as the Festival Marketplace, Manistee Arts and Crafts, Carnival, Fireworks over Lake Michigan presented by Little River Casino Resort, and much more!

Schedule:

July 3, 2024

9:00 AM – Dusk: Festival Marketplace

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Framed Digital Painting Giveaway

ruddiblush 321 River St

ruddiblush will be giving out chances to win a framed digital painting all week, running July 1 thru July 6. The drawing will occur at 4:00 PM on July 6, but no need to be present. Submitting your name to the drawing is complimentary, with one chance per person over 18.

12:00 PM – Dusk: Anderson Midway Carnival

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, and $50 for 50, or $25 for a day-use armband

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Walk-In Tattoo and Piercing Specials

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC. 336 River St. Manistee MI. 49660

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC will be having a Forest Festival Flash Sale consisting of $50 minimalist flash tattoo and $40 select piercings special starting on July 3 2024 running through July 7 2024 on a walk-in basis only.

July 4, 2024

9:00 AM – Dusk: Festival Marketplace

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

9:45 AM: Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony

Division & River Street (prior to the parade)

Kick off your 4th of July celebration with a traditional Flag Raising event before the Forest Festival Parade.

10:00 AM: Independence Day Parade

Division | River Street

Travels west on River Street from Division Street to the Armory Youth Project parking lot, providing a view of  all of the floats, marchers and other fun parade participants as we recognize our Independence as a nation! Proudly sponsored by Edward Jones: Financial Advisor – Jeff Reau and Spicer Group, Inc.

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Framed Digital Painting Giveaway

ruddiblush 321 River St

ruddiblush will be giving out chances to win a framed digital painting all week, running July 1 thru July 6. The drawing will occur at 4:00 PM on July 6, but no need to be present. Submitting your name to the drawing is complimentary, with one chance per person over 18.

12:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Roots on the River Kickoff Bash!

Jaycees Bandshell / Veterans Memorial Parking Lot

Join Music Sparks Meaning across Maple Street Bridge right after the Independence Day Parade for a day of live music, games, and family fun!

Activities will include a beer tent featuring local brews, lawn games, live music all day, food trucks, raffles, and more! Hosted by new nonprofit, Music Sparks Meaning, the aim is to have a day of community fun while fundraising for their summer programming.

This event will be the kickoff to the 2024 Roots on the River concert series and will feature several local favorite groups throughout the day.

Cost: free

12:00 PM – Dusk: Anderson Midway Carnival

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, and $50 for 50, or $25 for a day-use armband

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Walk-In Tattoo and Piercing Specials

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC. 336 River St. Manistee MI. 49660

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC will be having a Forest Festival Flash Sale consisting of $50 minimalist flash tattoo and $40 select piercings special starting on July 3 2024 running through July 7 2024 on a walk-in basis only.

Click Here For Parade Application

July 5, 2024

9:00 AM – Dusk: Festival Marketplace

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

10:00 AM – Dusk: Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo

Douglas Park | First Street Beach, Manistee

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world! It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s FREE. Proudly sponsored by Dr. Shrink, Inc.

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Framed Digital Painting Giveaway

ruddiblush 321 River St

ruddiblush will be giving out chances to win a framed digital painting all week, running July 1 thru July 6. The drawing will occur at 4:00 PM on July 6, but no need to be present. Submitting your name to the drawing is complimentary, with one chance per person over 18.

12:00 PM – Dusk: Anderson Midway Carnival

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, and $50 for 50, or $25 for a day-use armband

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Walk-In Tattoo and Piercing Specials

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC. 336 River St. Manistee MI. 49660

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC will be having a Forest Festival Flash Sale consisting of $50 minimalist flash tattoo and $40 select piercings special starting on July 3 2024 running through July 7 2024 on a walk-in basis only.

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Beach Jam

First Street Beach

Sink your toes in the sand and enjoy the live music brought to you by Manistee’s local band “The Downtowners “. B.Y.O.B and chairs

Cost: Free

10:30 PM (Dusk): Fireworks Over Lake Michigan sponsored by Little River Casino Resort

First Street Beach | Douglas Park

Enjoy a traditional fireworks show located at First Street Beach! Tune in to the countdown and synced music on Eagle 101.5 FM. Fireworks will commence at dusk! RAIN DATE: In the event of inclement weather, the Fireworks show will be rescheduled for Saturday, July 6th. Proudly sponsored by Little River Casino Resort.

July 6, 2024

8:00 AM: Manistee Firecracker 5K Run/Walk & 1K Fun Run

Manistee Middle / High School (525 12th Street)

Competitive road race to raise funds for the Manistee Area Community Track.

Cost: $27 by June 24th, $32 afterward

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Manistee Arts and Crafts

Armory Youth Project (555 First St.)

The Manistee Arts & Crafts show features artists, artisans, and gourmet food provisioners. Come and explore the art booths and meet the artisans. Enjoy live entertainment and more!
Stop by the Armory Youth Project’s Booth to learn more about FREE out-of-school youth programs and volunteer opportunities! Don’t miss two great days of fun. Join us on Saturday, July 6 from 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, July 7 from 10 am – 3 pm!
For more information or vendor inquiries, please contact Dianna Wall at 231-299-1205 or [email protected].

9:00 AM – Dusk: Festival Marketplace

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Family Day hosted by The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle Church (77 Hancock St.)

This is a FREE family friendly event. Please come enjoy games, prizes, hotdog lunch, cotton candy, snow cones, bounce houses and so much more. Yes, ALL FREE. See what some of our local businesses and agencies have to offer. You can expect to see experiments, games, arts and crafts, tug of war, and even a dunk tank! Keep your eyes open for Smoky The Bear. blow bubbles with “The Bubble Lady”, and even take a seat in a drag race car. Look forward to winning raffle prizes from some of our favorite downtown businesses. Family Day is all the fun that you can imagine.

Cost: Free

10:00 AM – Dusk: Whispering Pines Mobile Petting Zoo

Douglas Park | First Street Beach, Manistee

A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world! It’s a fun experience for the whole family and it’s FREE. Proudly sponsored by Dr. Shrink, Inc.

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Framed Digital Painting Giveaway

ruddiblush 321 River St

ruddiblush will be giving out chances to win a framed digital painting all week, running July 1 thru July 6. The drawing will occur at 4:00 PM on July 6, but no need to be present. Submitting your name to the drawing is complimentary, with one chance per person over 18.

12:00 PM – Dusk: Anderson Midway Carnival

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, and $50 for 50, or $25 for a day-use armband

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: The Little Big Shots Talent Show

Lions Pavilion | First Street Beach

Children ages 4 – 16 will be on stage at the Ramsdell Theater displaying their talents of singing, dancing, gymnastics, playing the piano and other musical instruments, and even a stand-up comedy performance. This is such a heartwarming and uplifting event to see children allow their inner talents to shine. There are about 20 performances. Everyone will enjoy the Little Big Shots Talent Show.

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Walk-In Tattoo and Piercing Specials

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC. 336 River St. Manistee MI. 49660

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC will be having a Forest Festival Flash Sale consisting of $50 minimalist flash tattoo and $40 select piercings special starting on July 3 2024 running through July 7 2024 on a walk-in basis only.

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: i.am.james – Summer Sun Sets

First Street Beach Gazebo

Join Music Sparks Meaning for an evening of music while enjoying a beautiful Lake Michigan sunset! The Summer Sun Sets Concert Series will feature nationally touring artists while giving local students the opportunity to perform alongside and with them in the community.

i.am.james. is the project of Michigan grown singer-songwriter, Sierra Cassidy. An Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and Berklee College of Music alum, Sierra has become intertwined in distinct music communities over the last ten years; Michigan, Nashville, and most recently, Brooklyn, NY while touring under her moniker, i.am.james. Dancing around the edge of all things alternative, i.am.james. delivers captivating melodies and lyric with quick wit that’s met with both power-driven undertones of upbeat pop and modern-folk. Noted as “heartache to dance to,” i.am.james. brings themes of femininity, strength, and stories of being a nomadic twenty-something to crowds both large and small across the country. After releasing a string of feel-good singles in 2021, i.am.james. embarked on a lengthy summer tour in 2022 reaching audiences across the midwest. Since then she has been crafting songs for her first multi-track project. Currently in progress, the project will showcase a much different sound from what we’ve heard of i.am.james. in the past; less synth, more song. The project will be released in 2024 and accompanied by a summer tour.

Cost: free

July 7, 2024

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: MAPS Traditional Pancake Breakfast

MMHS Commons: 525 12th Street, Manistee MI

A pancake breakfast fundraiser. Proceeds go to benefit Manistee’s Paine Aquatic Center.

Cost: $8, Adults / $6, ages 5-12 / Free, Kids under 5

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Manistee Arts and Crafts

Armory Youth Project (555 First St.)

The Manistee Arts & Crafts show features artists, artisans, and gourmet food provisioners. Come and explore the art booths and meet the artisans. Enjoy live entertainment and more!
Stop by the Armory Youth Project’s Booth to learn more about FREE out-of-school youth programs and volunteer opportunities! Don’t miss two great days of fun. Join us on Saturday, July 6 from 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, July 7 from 10 am – 3 pm!
For more information or vendor inquiries, please contact Dianna Wall at 231-299-1205 or [email protected].

9:00 AM – Dusk: Festival Marketplace

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Come shop for a variety of goods with over 30 Vendors that come from all across the state. Enjoy all the unique items that they bring for you to purchase!

12:00 PM – Dusk: Anderson Midway Carnival

First Street Beach / Douglas Park

Take the family to enjoy the rides, games, food and fun only the Carnival can provide!

Cost: $1.50 each ticket, $20 for 15, and $50 for 50, or $25 for a day-use armband

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Scottville Clown Band Concert

Lions Pavilion Manistee | First Street Beach

Bring your chair and refreshments to watch the humorous Clown Band perform. It is a must-see show! Proudly sponsored by Wyatt Chevrolet & Ford.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: USA Made Trunk Show

The Piping Plover, 385 River St.

Discover The Piping Plover’s collection of American Made garments and gifts, from brands like Revir, Kylie Paige, Ariella USA, NLT, Emerson & Oliver, Token Jewelry, Riley Ray Clay and Lief Design.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Manistee Saints Baseball

Reitz Park, 1010 Forest Ave, Manistee

Watch the baseball doubleheader, Manistee Saints vs Fulton Sultans

Cost: free

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Walk-In Tattoo and Piercing Specials

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC. 336 River St. Manistee MI. 49660

Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC will be having a Forest Festival Flash Sale consisting of $50 minimalist flash tattoo and $40 select piercings special starting on July 3 2024 running through July 7 2024 on a walk-in basis only.

Date: July 3-7, 2024

Location: Various Towns in Manistee, MI

Click Here For More Information