JULY2026
MANISTEE ISTEE County Fair CountyFair
4-Her’s look forward
Anticipation is on the rise among nearly 70 4-H members as they prepare to participate in the Manistee County Fair this month.
The 155th annual event is set for July 28 to Aug. 1 at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama.
The fair is the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work for the 4-H members whose animals will be shown, judged and then sold at the livestock auction.
Allison Ballard is the Michigan State University Extension 4-H program coordinator in Benzie and
Manistee County. She said the 4-H program may have started with raising and showing animals, but over the years it has grown its offerings.
“We put on different events that the kids take part in, like today I was teaching a babysitting clinic and, hopefully, at the end of the week there will be seven newly certified babysitters in Manistee and Benzie counties,” said Ballard. “This spring we wrapped our second year of 4-H embryology egg in the classroom with the third graders at Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools and were able to take those kids to visit a working homestead farm.”
At the farm, the students met animals, helped with chores and learned what agriculture looks like in this area.
“KND has just been great to work with, and that program started with me going to their career fair every spring,” said Ballard. “From there it went to the annual embryology program, and now we have a 4-H after school club that meets at KND, and we are planning a whole group of enrichment programs with KND in the fall.”
They also are sending kids to exploration days on a college campus. In the pre-
Manistee County 4-H had 84 participants exhibiting at the Manistee County Fair in 2025. Pictured are some of those participants on Aug. 16, 2025.
Michelle Fedder/Manistee News Advocate
New midway events, rides and family activities added to fair
People who have attended the Manistee County Fair in the past can expect to see many new changes this year, including many of the events taking place on the midway.
Manistee County Agricultural Society board member Mindy Sedelmaier said organizers have been working hard to add things they feel will appeal to people of all age groups.
“Something we have worked so hard on the last several months is bringing in more variety and more diverse (events),” said Sedelmaier. “We want something for every single person in the family.”
to get a new carnival for a few years with more rides,” said Sedelmaier. “They are bringing in a minimum of 12 rides with six for the younger kids and six for the older ones.”
Sedelmaier said to make the 155th anniversary of the fair special this year, there is a special price of $10 for rides all day. It’s all a part of the board’s efforts to draw in more people to the fair this year.
for adults and $10 for children age 10 years and under.
“We also will have music there, featuring the country singing of DeWayne Spaw, starting at 6:30 p.m.,” said Sedelmaier.
The Magic Man, a magician, will perform at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 28-30.
“He is from the Wellston area, and that is something new to the fair, which is a free show to attend,” said Sedelmaier.
A foam party also will take place on the midway during the fair.
Every county fair has a carnival for people of all ages. This year, Family Fun Tyme Amusements is coming to the Manistee County Fair for the first time. Sedelmaier said they offer rides for both the kids and adults.
“We have been trying
“Our hopes are to make it more affordable and have enough stuff free going on throughout the midway this year that families will come and spend the whole day, every day during the week,” said Sedelmaier. “It’s going to be a great time at very minimal cost to them.”
A big event will be the chuck wagon dinner at 5 p.m. on July 28 in the Lions building featuring barbecue pork, baked potatoes, baked beans, corn, coleslaw and Texas sheet cake. The dinner costs $20
“We had what was the Foam Zone last year, but we purchased our own foam machine this year so we will do that every day at the fair,” said Sedelmaier. “It shoots all kinds of foam the kids can run through and it doesn’t burn their eyes, which is fun to play in.”
In addition, local celebrities will be taking turns in a dunk tank on the midway.
The midway area will
be busy throughout the week with face painting with Sarah and Amber at the following dates and times:
4 p.m. July 28
3 p.m. July 29
3 p.m. July 30
5 p.m. July 31
2 p.m. on Aug. 1
“Sarah and Amber have volunteered their time to come in and do face painting every day during the fair,” said Sedelmaier.
People wanting to learn about Zumba exercise can do so with Amber Sedelmaier at 7 p.m. on July 29 and those looking to find out about tai chi can do so with Sally Mason at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1.
“Sally is going to do a tai chi session right under our big tent (that) we are going to have out this year,”
said Sedelmaier.
She said one of the midway events expected to be very popular is the 2 p.m. July 29 fiber arts demonstration by Sally Manke.
“We are happy to have her as she is from the Arcadia area, but travels all over the country doing fiber arts,” said Sedelmaier. “She is going to do a demo for us, and I am super excited about her being here.”
There also will be some food-eating competitions. A doughnut eating contest will be held at 4:30 p.m. July 31 and a pie eating contest will take place at 4 p.m. on Aug. 1.
There also will be an area where the kids can play in some beach sand with buckets and shovels, as well as matchbox
cars.
Fairgoers also can expect changes to the merchant building, which will become the marketplace.
“This year we will have artisan crafters going in there, as we are really trying to make it an art fair market this year,” said Sedelmaier. “We have a lot of vendors committed to those spaces, and we are super excited about it.”
Another event is a mini farmers market.
“We have been talking with Brian Garcia as it’s our hope to do a mini farmer’s market on Friday and Saturday as we are looking for farmers to set up their booths and do some sales at those times,” said Sedelmaier.
Fair adds lawn mower racing, free entry and parking
One of the highlights of the Manistee County Fair each year is the events in front of large crowds in the grandstand.
This year, the Manistee County Agricultural Society has lined up a variety of grandstand events sure to appeal to everyone.
Agricultural society board member Ann Wilkosz said one change this year is making the fair more affordable.
“We are trying to get more people to come to the fair,” said Wilkosz. “There will be a fee for the grandstand events, but this year we are not charging anything to enter the fairgrounds or to park your vehicle.”
The agricultural society also implemented new pricing this year for the grandstand events to give those attending multiple events a break on
the cost.
“We are going to have gold passes for adults where they can pay $50 ... to get into all the grandstand events for the whole week, and (we) also will have silver passes for (ages) 12 and under for $30, “ said Wilkosz. “We are only selling those passes (until) July 18 at that price.”
All of the grandstand events begin on July 28 with the Michigan Horse Pulling Boat Association event. Gates open at 6 p.m. and it starts at 7 p.m. The concept is to see which team of horses can pull set weights the furthest distance.
“They have been doing this at the Manistee County Fair for many years, and we get entries taking part in it from all over the state,” said Wilkosz.
The tickets for the horse pull are $10 for adults or $5 for children.
July 29, the
action in front of the grandstand heats up when the vehicles take to the track during the TNT Bump N Run Racing. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get a good seat for this popular event; the grandstands open at 6:30 p.m.
Bump N Run racing has been described by some as a sibling of the demolition derby and a rough cousin of dirt track racing. It is fullcontact racing on the track with contestants trying to get in the most laps without crashing to win.
“They make a track and race through a certain amount of laps without wrecking to win,” said Wilkosz.
Entry for the Bump N Run is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
One of the new events this year is the lawnmower and mini wedge racing; gates open at 6 p.m. July 30. This type
The TNT Bump n Run and the demolition derby are crowd favorites during the Manistee County Fair. News Advocate/File photo
Ken GrabowsKi Contributing Writer
of racing is a trend that has caught the attention of many other fair organizers this year. Entry is $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
These modified lawn mowers can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour depending upon the track and skill of the driver. The vehicles are modified in terms of the frame, brakes, steering and engine.
Mini wedge race cars use Hoosier racing tires that are smaller than the average lawn mower tire. These machines are allowed to use regular or premium gasoline.
Wilkosz said it is an event that local people are interested in.
“We decided to give it a try to see how it goes, as there is quite a following with it,” said Wilkosz. “They are regular lawn mowers and mini wedge vehicles that will be racing.”
The West Michigan Pullers will take back over the track July 31, but this time it will not be the horses doing the pulling. Gates open at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. start.
“This is the truck
and tractor pull, and they pull a variety of weights to see who can move the most,” said Wilkosz.
Aug. 1 caps off the grandstand events when another longtime favorite: the TNT Bump ‘N Run and MWFA Street Stock Demo Derby. Gates open at 6 p.m. for this event. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
“That is more of a crash them up and bang them up type of competition demo derby,” said Wilkosz. Tickets for all grandstand events can be purchased at the venue.
New events aim to draw bigger crowds
When members of the Manistee County Agricultural Society began planning for the 2026 fair, one of the goals was to create several new events.
Agricultural society board member Ann Wilkosz said the board realized attendance at the fair has declined over the past several years. This year, organizers are trying new things in hopes of bringing big crowds back to the fair.
The fair run from July 28 to Aug. 1 this year.
“We came up with a lot of new ideas this year and hope people will like them,” said Wilkosz.
One of the new events is the chuckwagon dinner at 5 p.m. on the opening day of the fair.
“We are going to have a complete dinner and live entertainment with high-energy country music singer DeWayne Spaw performing,”said Wilkosz.
The dinner includes barbecue pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, corn and Texas sheet cake. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children age 13 and under. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available in advance; take-out is available. Call 231655-1116 for more information on how to purchase tickets.
The veterans social is another new event this year; it will offer ice cream and cupcakes to any veterans starting at 4 p.m. July 29.
“That is new this year as there will be a spot at the fair where they can come in to visit with each other and (we) will serve ice cream and cupcakes,” said Wilkosz. “Anyone who has served our great country can take part in it free of charge.”
A new grandstand event is lawn mower and mini wedge racing vehicles on July 30. This type of racing is a trend that has caught the attention of many other fair organizers this year. The gates will open at 6 p.m.; entry is $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
These modified lawn mowers can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour, depending upon the track and skill of the driver. The vehicles are modified in terms of the frame, brakes, steering and engine.
Mini wedge race cars use Hoosier racing tires that smaller than the average lawn mower tire. These machines are allowed to use regular or premium gasoline.
Another new activity on the midway
is chicken bingo featuring Scotty Mac’s celebrity chickens. It starts at 6 p.m. July 30. Scotty Mac is a DJ on the local radio station, Eagle 101.5 FM.
“We are going to have celebrity chicken bingo. Squares will be marked out waiting for the chickens to do their business on a square to make it a winner,” said Wilkosz.
Chickens will be a big part of the fair this year, another new event is the chicken
chucking contest. The contest will be held multiple times: 6:30 p.m. July 31 and at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 1
Wilkosz said this event is pure fun for those watching and participating.
“It is a rubberized chicken, and the winner will be whoever can chuck it the greatest distance,” said Wilkosz. “There is prizes for the winner, and it is free to participate.”
Manistee County Fair schedule
The Manistee County Fair officially kicks off to the public on July 28 and runs through Aug. 1.
Monday,July27
10 a.m. — Entry day for all events; marketplace move-in
Tuesday,July28
8:30 a.m. — Open class and 4-h still exhibit judging
10 a.m. — Sheep judging
1 p.m. — Goat judging
3 p.m. — Midway marketplace and carnival open
4 p.m. — Cattle judging; face painting with Sarah
4:30 p.m. — Watering hole with chuckwagon dinner and Chinese raffle
5 p.m. — The Magic Man
6 p.m. — grandstand
opens for Michigan Horse Pulling Boat Association
7 p.m. — The Magic Man
7 p.m. — Michigan Horse Pulling Boat Association event
Wednesday,July29
8 a.m. — Swine judging
1 p.m. — Rabbit/cavy judging
2 p.m. — Fiber arts demonstration with Sally Manke
3 p.m. — Midway marketplace and carnival open
3 p.m. — Face painting with Sarah and Amber
3:30 p.m. — pits open for TNT Bump ‘N Run Racing
4 p.m. — Veteran Social (ice cream and cupcakes), flags to be retired drop-off;
4 p.m. — Sandbox, matchbox cars; dunk
tank on the midway
5 p.m. — party on the midway
5 p.m. — The Magic Man on the midway
6:30 p.m. — Beard contest
6:30 p.m. — grandstands open for TNT Bump ‘N Run Racing
7 p.m. — The Magic Man on the midway
7 p.m. — Zumba with Amber Sedelmaier on the midway
7:30 p.m. — racing starts for TNT Bump ‘N Run
8 p.m. — Foam party on the midway
Thursday,July30
8 a.m. — Poultry judging
3 p.m. — Midway marketplace and carnival open;
3 p.m. — Face painting with Sarah and
Amber
Manistee County Fair schedule
4 p.m. — Sandbox and matchbox open on the midway
4 p.m. — Dunk tank on the midway
4 p.m. — pits open for Mini Wedge Racing and Lawn Mower Racing
5 p.m. — Foam party on the midway
6 p.m. — The Watering Hole opens
6 p.m. — Karaoke finals start
6 p.m. — Chicken bingo with celebrity chickens
6 p.m. — grandstands open for Mini Wedge Racing and Lawn Mower Racing
6:30 p.m. — Straw bale throwing contest
7 p.m. — Mini Wedge Racing and Lawn Mower Racing event starts
Friday,July31
Noon — Midway marketplace and carnival open
2 p.m. — The Magic Man on the midway
4 p.m. — The Magic Man on the midway
4:30 p.m. — Donut eating contest
5 p.m. — Face painting with Sarah and Amber;
5 p.m. — Dunk tank on the midway
5 p.m. — Foam party on the midway
5:30 p.m. — Livestock auction
6 p.m. — The Watering Hole opens
6 p.m. — Cornhole tournament starts
6 p.m. — grandstands open for West Michigan Pullers
6:30 p.m. — Chicken chucking
7 p.m. — West Michigan Pullers starts
8 p.m. — Chicken bingo
Saturday,Aug.1
9 a.m. — Tai Chi with Sally Mason
10 a.m. — Photo opportunity for open class and 4-H winners
Noon — Midway marketplace and carnival open
Noon — Farmers market
1 p.m. — Foam party on the midway
1:30 p.m. — Sawdust coin find on the midway
2 p.m. — Chicken chucking on the midway
2 p.m. — Face painting with Sarah and Amber
2 p.m. — Manistee County Library games
2 p.m. — Dunk tank on the midway
2 p.m. — pits open for TNT Bump ‘N Run and MWFA Street Stock Demo Derby
2:30 p.m. — Seed spitting contest
3 p.m. — Foam party on the midway
3 p.m. — Bike drawing
3:30 p.m. — Sawdust coin find on the midway
4 p.m. — Chicken chucking on the midway
4 p.m. — Butterfly School
4 p.m. — Pie eating contest
5 p.m. — Foam party on the midway
5 p.m. — grandstands open for TNT Bump ‘N Run and MWFA Street Stock Demo Derby
5:30 p.m. — Sawdust coin find on the midway
6 p.m. — The Watering Hole opens
6 p.m. — Karaoke finals
6 p.m. — TNT Bump ‘N Run and MWFA Street Stock Demo Derby starts
Kids enjoy the Foam Zone at the Manistee County Fair in Onekama on Aug. 13, 2025. Kyle Kotecki/Manistee News Advocate
BUSY WEEK
college program, participants learn about careers in the world of agriculture and other related areas.
Despite all the additional programming over the years, the big thrill for 4-H’ers is competing for a blue ribbon at the fair.
“Rough projections we have made show there will be between 60 and 70 kids taking part this year at the fair,” said Ballard. “The kids
are from Manistee, Benzie and Lake counties, and they will be moving in (to the fairgrounds) on (July 27) with their animals.”
Judging will begin at 10 a.m. on July 28 with the sheep. That afternoon goats will be judged at 1 p.m. with the cattle taking center stage at 4 p.m.
More judging starts early at 8 a.m. on July 29 with the swine, followed up by rabbits at 1 p.m. Poultry will wrap up the judging at 8 a.m.
July 30.
“From what I can see so far, we are keeping our numbers of entries pretty consistent with what they were last year,” said Ballard. “Bird flu is still around, but we haven’t got any poultry restrictions that are going to impact our poultry kids this year.”
This year, the livestock auction for 4-H animals will take place at 5:30 p.m. July 31 at the fairgrounds.
“Friday night is the main event with the livestock auction, and it is shaping up to be a good time,” said Ballard. “It gives the kids a little reward for their hard work all year long.”
She said they still are receiving entries for the auction.
“We will have rabbits, poultry, swine, cattle, goats and lambs for auction,” said Ballard.
One of the important things that makes the auction a success is the number of individuals, businesses and groups who come out to bid on the animals. Ballard said some longtime buyers will be honored during the auction.
“We love our buyers
for coming out (and) supporting the kids as we have some buyers who will be getting 35year plaques this year and some who are approaching 45 years,” said Ballard. “It is fantastic and some of them have been there just about as long as we have been doing, it so we couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Ballard said new leadership has taken over management of the still exhibit barn this year for 4-H.
Judging for baked goods, sewing, canned goods, fruits, vegetables, photography and more takes place at 6:30 p.m. July 31. Ribbons will awarded to the winning entries in each category.
“We are going to
have a lot of fun evening activities for our 4-H kids, and the volunteers are working very hard to make everything come together as they do the hard work,” said Ballard.
Ballard said 4-H continues to play an active role in providing quality programming for kids and helping them grow into productive adults.
“4-H continues to evolve and fills needs, and that is what I love about it,” said Ballard. “The fair is a fixture and everyone knows about it, but our focus is youth safety and youth development. Being able to meet the needs of our community is what kept us here for close to 160 years.”
Fairgoers look at ducks at the Manistee County Fair on Aug. 16, 2025. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate
NEW EVENTS
Other new tossing events this year include the straw bale throwing contest at 6:30 p.m. July 30. Participants will compete to see who can throw the bale of straw the furthest distance.
A cornhole tournament will take place for the first time during the fair this year, starting at 6 p.m. July 31.
“One of the Lions Club members who runs their cornhole tournaments all winter has graciously agreed to run our tournament,” said Wilkosz. “We have first, second and third place trophies, and there is an entry fee.”
The fee for the cornhole tournament is $40, which can be paid on-site or via the app Scoreholio.
There also will be a
seed-spitting contest at 2 p.m. Aug. 1. Contestants will be competing to see who can spit a watermelon seed the farthest.
“All of the free entry events like seed spitting will be taking place out on the midway, and we will have them marked so people know where they are taking place,” said Wilkosz.
The sawdust coin find is an event for children at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 1 on the midway.
“We wanted something for the smaller kids and a bank has sponsored it. A bunch of coins are tossed into the sawdust for the kids to find,” said Wilkosz.
One of the other new events where competitors can win a prize and get something tasty to
eat is the pie eating contest. It takes place on midway at 4 p.m. Aug. 1.
“Basically people can sign up for this timed event, and the first person (who finishes) eating their pie with their hands behind their back will win,” said Wilkosz. “People taking part will have a choice of several different pies to eat.”
An old favorite is making it’s return after a several year absence. The Onekama Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 1. The cost of the breakfast is a $12 donation.
“They haven’t done it years and some of the newer Lions Club members didn’t even realize they had done it in the past,” said Wilkosz.
