Manistee County Fair

The Manistee County Fair is scheduled for its 155th anniversary celebration from July 28 to August 1, 2026, in Onekama, Manistee County. This yearly festival aims to provide diverse and affordable entertainment for the entire family. A key new attraction for 2026 is the carnival, presented by Family Fun Tyme Amusements, which will offer a minimum of 12 rides catering to both younger children and adults, with an all-day ride pass priced at $10.

The entertainment lineup includes a chuck wagon dinner at 5 p.m. on July 28, offering barbecue pork and other classic dishes, followed by a performance from country music entertainer DeWayne Spaw at 6:30 p.m. The Magic Man will stage free magic shows twice daily from July 28-30. Midway activities will be vibrant with a daily foam party, a dunk tank featuring local celebrities, and face painting. A new grandstand event, lawn mower and mini wedge racing, is set for July 30.

Community engagement is a strong focus, with events such as chicken bingo with Scotty Mac's celebrity chickens on July 30, and various tossing competitions including straw bale, chicken chucking, and cornhole. Food-eating contests, such as the doughnut contest on July 31 and the pie eating contest on August 1, add to the fun. The fair will also host an artisan crafters marketplace and intends to feature a mini farmer's market on Friday and Saturday, supporting local vendors. Wellness activities like Zumba and Tai Chi sessions, alongside a fiber arts demonstration by Sally Manke, are also on the schedule. A veterans social offering ice cream and cupcakes is planned for July 29.