Summer is starting to wind down in Northern Michigan, but that doesn’t mean the fun is! Our Weekend Fun Five full of great events…
Like the 119th annual Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair, going on now thru Sunday at the Petoskey Fairgrounds. Here are some of what is going on through Sunday…
Grandstand Events:
Tomorrow & Friday August 22nd – Monster Truck Throw Down. Gates open at 4pm Event starts @ 7pm,
Saturday August 23rd – Auto Cross Racing – Gates open at 4pm Event starts @ 5pm
Exhibits – Community Center Open to the Public – FREE Admission
Now through Friday August 22nd – 10am – 9pm
Saturday, August 23rd – 10am – 8pm
Market Livestock Auction – Thursday August 21st 3pm T-barn.
Carnival Schedule
Now thru Fri. August 22nd – 1pm to 11pm, Ride Arm Band $25
Sat. August 23rd – 1pm to 11pm – Ride Arm Band $30
Sun. August 24th – 1pm to 6pm – Ride Arm Band $20
Also, local 4-H youth spend countless hours preparing for the livestock shows and auctions that take place during Fair Week; it represents the culmination of so much hard work, and it also helps to fund many of these youth’s future educational pursuits. And, fair welcomes back the Firefighter Show this year, offering kids the chance to see what it takes to be a firefighter! Shows will be Tuesday August 19th through Saturday August 23rd, with three shows daily taking place on the children’s stage area near the Fair Office.
If you enjoy great polka music and dancing, then head over to the 43rd Annual Polka Festival, featuring The Dog Days of Summer 2025! The Cedar Polka Fest is an annual festival celebrating Cedar’s rich Polish history. Lasting 4 days and nights, nearly 10,000 people descend into town for family fun to eat, drink, and dance the nights away. With live Polka music from the best Polka Bands in America, this festival is a real treat for Polka fans. Food vendors offer Beer, Polish Food, Ribs, Hotdogs, Popcorn and so much more. Kids will enjoy games, while adults will indulge in the unique atmosphere that only Polka can create. The 43rd annual Cedar Polka Fest kicks off on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Cedar under the big tent. The Polka Festival has become a signature event in Leelanau. The Cedar Polka Festival has grown into one of the largest and best events for Polka music and attracts enthusiasts from near and far. So, have some fun polka, polka, polka! A complete schedule at: CedarPolkaFest.org/events/
Here, we have a two for one event, the Gaylord Sidewalk Sales & Old 27 Motor Tour (Sidewalk Sales will begin on Friday, August 22nd and both events will occur together on Saturday, August 23rd) Saturday’s festivities will feature an exciting change this year, as M-32 will be closed to allow for a memorable car show experience. Downtown Gaylord’s Sidewalk Sales Fri. & Sat. will have great deals, so support small, locally owned businesses. Sales aren’t just limited to the sidewalk. Be sure to go inside stores to check out additional discounted merchandise. Restaurants will also have specials on appetizers, entrées and drinks. The Old 27 Motor Tour will cruise into Gaylord on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and depart at 1:00 p.m., with over 100 automobiles. Interact with owners and then take advantage of our exceptional sidewalk sales. Visit DownTownGaylord.com for more details.
Another place to see some great cars is in Mackinaw City with Corvette Crossroads Auto Show this Friday & Saturday. Beginning Friday, Corvettes of various vintages will begin arriving in Mackinaw City, having fun, cruising and getting registered for Saturday’s festivities. On Saturday, hundreds of Corvettes will be on display in Mackinaw City from 10am to 2 pm. A poker walk for show participants will also be offered during the day. A people’s choice style of judging will determine winners of the show in several different award classes. Winners will be announced at an awards presentation at 3 pm. And, a parade of Corvettes across the Mackinac Bridge, beginning at 7 pm! All Corvettes are welcome and there is a small fee for non-show registered Corvettes. This is free for spectators. Details at MackinawCity.net.
Last, but certainly not least, the Camp Daggett Centennial Celebration will go this Saturday from 7:00pm till 9:30pm at03001 Church Road, Petoskey. Camp Dagget is thrilled to celebrate 100 years of adventure, growth, and community in 2025! Join them for a grand celebration this Saturday, featuring cake, ice cream, and a breathtaking drone show by Firefly Drone Shows on Walloon Lake. A day to remember, honoring a century of memories and look toward an exciting future. RSVP is required at: CampDaggett.org
