Forest + Festival = Fun

June 25, 2022

For more than 80 years, folks in Manistee County have been celebrating the Manistee National Forest Festival. This year, the fun begins June 30 and runs through July 4 at Douglas Park at First Street Beach in Manistee. What’s on the docket for year 86? The Anderson Midway Carnival, an “Enchanted Forest” exhibit at Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, a sand drag competition for RC cars and trucks, a mobile zoo, the Manistee Firecracker 5K (Saturday), a sidewalk chalk art competition, a magic show, and more. All the while, live music, art markets, and a library book sale will be happening in and around town. Fireworks on Fourth of July (scheduled for 10:30pm over Lake Michigan) put a bright punctuation mark at the end of the event. Prices vary for the activities above, with many free options ranging up to $35/person for the canvas painting party at the Purple Paintbrush studio. Get all the details at manisteeforestfestival.com.