2026 Manistee County Fair

MANISTEE ISTEE County Fair JULY 2026

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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4-Her’s look forward to busy week Ken GrabowsKi Contributing Writer

Anticipation is on the rise among nearly 70 4-H members as they prepare to participate in the Manistee County Fair this month.

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 The 155th annual part in, like today event is set for I was teaching a July 28 to Aug. babysitting clinic 1 at the Manistee and, hopefully, at County Fairgrounds the end of the week in Onekama. there will be seven newly certified The fair is the babysitters in culmination of a Manistee and Benzie year’s worth of hard counties,” said work for the 4-H Ballard. “This spring members whose we wrapped our animals will be second year of 4-H shown, judged and embryology egg in then sold at the the classroom with livestock auction. the third graders Allison Ballard at Kaleva Norman is the Michigan Dickson Schools and State University were able to take Extension 4-H those kids to visit a program coordinator working homestead farm.” in Benzie and

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

Enjoy the fun at the Manistee County Fair!

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

New midway events, rides and family activities added to fair Ken GrabowsKi Contributing Writer

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.

People roam the Manistee County Fair in Onekama on Aug. 13, 2025.

Kyle Kotecki/Manistee News Advocate

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“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.”

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.

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.

“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.

“We have been trying The dinner costs $20

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.

“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

Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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,”

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said Sedelmaier.

cars.

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.

Fairgoers also can expect changes to the merchant building, which will become the marketplace.

“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

“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.

ENJOY THE MANISTEE COUNTY FAIR!

School District Attendees of the Manistee County Fair enjoy the Native Amusements carnival Aug. 14, 2024. For 2026, the carnival will be provided by Family Fun Tyme Amusements.

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

Fair adds lawn mower racing, free entry and parking Ken GrabowsKi Contributing Writer

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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.

“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 This year, the for (ages) 12 and Manistee County under for $30, “ Agricultural said Wilkosz. “We Society has lined are only selling those Bump N Run racing up a variety of passes (until) July has been described grandstand events 18 at that price.” by some as a sibling sure to appeal to of the demolition everyone.

All of the derby and a rough Agricultural society grandstand events cousin of dirt track board member Ann begin on July 28 racing. It is fullwith the Michigan Wilkosz said one contact racing Horse Pulling Boat change this year is on the track with making the fair more Association event.

Gates open at 6 p.m. contestants trying to affordable. get in the most laps and it starts at 7 without crashing to “We are trying to p.m. The concept is get more people to to see which team of win. come to the fair,” horses can pull set “They make a track said Wilkosz. “There weights the furthest and race through will be a fee for the distance. a certain amount grandstand events, of laps without “They have been but this year we wrecking to win,” doing this at the are not charging said Wilkosz.

Manistee County anything to enter Entry for the Bump the fairgrounds or to Fair for many years, and we get entries N Run is $15 for park your vehicle.” taking part in it from adults and $10 for The agricultural all over the state,” children. society also said Wilkosz.

One of the new implemented new The tickets for the events this year is pricing this year horse pull are $10 the lawnmower and for the grandstand for adults or $5 for mini wedge racing; events to give those children. gates open at 6 p.m. attending multiple July 30. This type July 29, the events a break on One of the highlights of the Manistee County Fair each year is the events in front of large crowds in the grandstand.

The TNT Bump n Run and the demolition derby are crowd favorites during the Manistee County Fair.

News Advocate/File photo

the cost.

Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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.

and tractor pull, and they pull a variety of Wilkosz said it is weights to see who an event that local can move the most,” people are interested said Wilkosz. in.

Aug. 1 caps off the “We decided to give grandstand events it a try to see how when another longThese modified it goes, as there is time favorite: the lawn mowers can quite a following TNT Bump ‘N Run reach speeds up to with it,” said and MWFA Street 50 miles per hour Wilkosz. “They are Stock Demo Derby. depending upon the regular lawn mowers Gates open at 6 track and skill of the and mini wedge p.m. for this event. driver. The vehicles vehicles that will be Tickets are $15 for are modified in racing.” adults and $10 for terms of the frame, The West Michigan kids. brakes, steering and Pullers will take engine.

“That is more of a back over the track crash them up and Mini wedge race July 31, but this bang them up type cars use Hoosier time it will not be of competition demo racing tires that are the horses doing the derby,” said Wilkosz. smaller than the pulling.

Gates open average lawn mower Tickets for all tire. These machines at 6 p.m. with a 7 grandstand events p.m. start. are allowed to use can be purchased at regular or premium “This is the truck the venue. gasoline.

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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New events aim to draw bigger crowds Ken GrabowsKi Contributing Writer

When members of the Manistee County Agricultural Society began planning for the 2026 fair, one of the goals was to create several new events.

Wilkosz.

One of the new events is the chuckwagon dinner at 5 p.m. on the opening day of the fair.

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 “We are going to have year as there will be a a complete dinner and spot at the fair where live entertainment they can come in to with high-energy visit with each other Agricultural society country music singer and (we) will serve ice board member DeWayne Spaw cream and cupcakes,” Ann Wilkosz said performing,”said said Wilkosz. “Anyone the board realized Wilkosz. who has served our attendance at the fair The dinner includes great country can has declined over the barbecue pulled pork, take part in it free of past several years. coleslaw, baked beans, charge.”

This year, organizers corn and Texas sheet A new grandstand are trying new things cake. Tickets are $20 event is lawn mower in hopes of bringing for adults and $10 and mini wedge racing big crowds back to the for children age 13 vehicles on July 30. fair. and under. Only 300 This type of racing is a tickets will be sold.

The fair run from trend that has caught July 28 to Aug. 1 this Tickets are available the attention of many year. in advance; take-out other fair organizers is available. Call 231- this year. The gates “We came up with a 655-1116 for more lot of new ideas this will open at 6 p.m.; year and hope people information on how to entry is $15 for adults purchase tickets. will like them,” said 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.” see NEW EVENTS page 15

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A pie eating contest is slated for Aug. 1 during the 2026 Manistee County Fair.

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

Manistee County Fair schedule The Manistee County Fair officially kicks off to the public on July 28 and runs through Aug. 1.

Monday, July 27

opens for Michigan Horse Pulling Boat Association 7 p.m. — The Magic Man 7 p.m. — Michigan Horse Pulling Boat Association event

10 a.m. — Entry day for all events; marketplace move-in Wednesday, July 29 Tuesday, July 28

8 a.m. — Swine judging

8:30 a.m. — Open class and 4-h still exhibit judging

1 p.m. — Rabbit/cavy judging

10 a.m. — Sheep judging 1 p.m. — Goat judging 3 p.m. — Midway marketplace and carnival open

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4 p.m. — Cattle judging; face painting with Sarah 4:30 p.m. — Watering hole with chuckwagon dinner and Chinese raffle

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5 p.m. — The Magic Man

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm

6 p.m. — grandstand

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, July 30 8 a.m. — Poultry judging 3 p.m. — Midway marketplace and carnival open; 3 p.m. — Face painting with Sarah and

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Each class of rabbit and 4-H participant was judged at the Manistee County Fair rabbit show on Aug. 13, 2025.

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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Manistee County Fair schedule Amber 4 p.m. — Sandbox and matchbox open on the midway

5 p.m. — Dunk tank on the midway

Amber

5 p.m. — Foam party on the midway

2 p.m. — Manistee County Library games

4 p.m. — Dunk tank on the midway

5:30 p.m. — Livestock auction

2 p.m. — Dunk tank on the midway

4 p.m. — pits open for Mini Wedge Racing and Lawn Mower Racing

6 p.m. — The Watering Hole opens

2 p.m. — pits open for TNT Bump ‘N Run and MWFA Street Stock Demo Derby

5 p.m. — Foam party on the midway

6 p.m. — grandstands open for West Michigan Pullers

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, July 31 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;

6 p.m. — Cornhole tournament starts

6:30 p.m. — Chicken chucking

2:30 p.m. — Seed spitting contest 3 p.m. — Foam party on the midway 3 p.m. — Bike drawing

7 p.m. — West Michigan Pullers starts

3:30 p.m. — Sawdust coin find on the midway

8 p.m. — Chicken bingo Saturday, Aug. 1

4 p.m. — Chicken chucking on the midway

9 a.m. — Tai Chi with Sally Mason

4 p.m. — Butterfly School

10 a.m. — Photo opportunity for open class and 4-H winners

4 p.m. — Pie eating contest

Noon — Midway marketplace and carnival open

5 p.m. — grandstands open for TNT Bump ‘N Run and MWFA Street Stock Demo Derby

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

5 p.m. — Foam party on the midway

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.

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

BUSY WEEK continued from page 3

college program, participants learn about careers in the world of agriculture and other related areas.

are from Manistee, Benzie and Lake counties, and they will be moving in (to the fairgrounds) on (July 27) with their animals.”

July 30.

“From what I can see so far, we are keeping our numbers of entries pretty consistent with what they Judging will begin were last year,” said Despite all at 10 a.m. on July 28 Ballard. “Bird flu the additional with the sheep. That is still around, but programming over afternoon goats will we haven’t got any the years, the big be judged at 1 p.m. thrill for 4-H’ers is with the cattle taking poultry restrictions that are going to competing for a blue center stage at 4 impact our poultry ribbon at the fair. p.m. kids this year.”

“Rough projections More judging starts This year, the we have made early at 8 a.m. on livestock auction show there will be July 29 with the for 4-H animals between 60 and 70 swine, followed up will take place at kids taking part this by rabbits at 1 p.m. year at the fair,” said Poultry will wrap up 5:30 p.m. July 31 at the judging at 8 a.m. the fairgrounds.

Ballard. “The kids

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“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.

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 4-H continues to play an active role in providing quality programming for kids and helping them grow into productive adults.

Ballard said new leadership has taken over management of “4-H continues One of the the still exhibit barn to evolve and fills important things needs, and that is this year for 4-H. that makes the what I love about Judging for baked auction a success it,” said Ballard. goods, sewing, is the number “The fair is a fixture canned goods, of individuals, and everyone fruits, vegetables, businesses and knows about it, photography groups who come but our focus is and more takes out to bid on the youth safety and place at 6:30 p.m. animals. Ballard youth development.

July 31. Ribbons said some longBeing able to meet will awarded to the time buyers will be the needs of our honored during the winning entries in community is what each category. auction. kept us here for “We love our buyers “We are going to close to 160 years.”

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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.

Fairgoers look at ducks at the Manistee County Fair on Aug. 16, 2025.

Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate

Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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NEW EVENTS continued from page 11

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.

seed-spitting contest at 2 p.m. Aug. 1.

Contestants will be competing to see who can spit a watermelon seed the farthest.

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 “All of the free entry event, and the first events like seed person (who finishes) spitting will be taking eating their pie with place out on the their hands behind midway, and we will have them marked so their back will win,” A cornhole said Wilkosz. “People tournament will take people know where taking part will have they are taking place,” place for the first time said Wilkosz. a choice of several during the fair this different pies to eat.” year, starting at 6 p.m. The sawdust coin July 31. find is an event for An old favorite is children at 1:30 p.m., “One of the Lions making it’s return 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 Club members who after a several p.m. Aug. 1 on the runs their cornhole year absence. The midway. tournaments all Onekama Lions Club winter has graciously “We wanted will host a pancake agreed to run our something for the breakfast from 8 a.m. tournament,” said smaller kids and a to noon Aug. 1. The Wilkosz. “We have bank has sponsored cost of the breakfast is first, second and third it. A bunch of coins a $12 donation. place trophies, and are tossed into the there is an entry fee.” sawdust for the kids to “They haven’t done find,” said Wilkosz. it years and some of The fee for the cornhole tournament the newer Lions Club One of the other is $40, which can be members didn’t even new events where paid on-site or via the competitors can realize they had done app Scoreholio. it in the past,” said win a prize and get Wilkosz. something tasty to There also will be a

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Manistee County Fair | July 2026

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