Photo by Joost Crop on Unsplash.com

Kaleva Heritage Days

July 20th-21st, 2024

Kaleva, in the center of Manistee County, holds a festival in mid-July. The festival includes Kaleva School Reunion, food, softball tournament, car show, pony rides, games and contests, parade, arts and crafts, and fireworks. Kaleva was founded by Finnish settlers and many of its streets boast Finnish names. The Bottle House Museum, built with 60,000 glass bottles by John Makinen, is listed on the National Historic Register. It is owned and operated by the Kaleva Historical Society and houses historical displays. Another landmark in Kaleva is the RR Depot Museum which houses railroad artifacts and displays. 

Here's what happened last year:

*Events take place at the Roadside Park unless other wise noted

Saturday

  • All Day – Bounce Houses
  • 9am – 5k Fun Run beginning at the Community Center- 14407 Industrial Dr., Kaleva.
  • 9am-3pm – Car Show Downtown
  • 9am- 3pm – Arts & Crafts Show Downtown
  • 9am-3pm – Mojo’s Coffee Booth Downtown
  • 9am-3pm – Lunch in the Kaleva Tavern parking lot- 9289 Walta St., Kaleva
  • 11am – Finnish Story Time Downtown
  • 12pm – Concession Stand open until fireworks begin
  • 12-3pm – Kids Games, Hayride, Face Painting
  • 12-7pm – Open House at the Community Center
  • 1pm – Pie-Eating Contest (three age divisions: 7 and under, 8-12, and 13+)
  • 2pm – Water Ball with the Fire Department 
  • 3pm – Finnish Wife Carrying Contest
  • 3:30pm – Pokemon Party (trade cards and play) under the Gazebo at Village Park
  • 4-6pm – Kickball on the Baseball Field at the back of Village Park
  • 4-7pm – Spaghetti Dinner at the Community Center
  • 7pm – Parade beginning at Village Park
  • 8:30-11:30pm – Live music featuring Decades 
  • Dusk – Fireworks over Village Park

Sunday

  • All Day – Bounce Houses
  • 9am – Worship Service
  • 9am-3pm – Car Show Downtown
  • 9am- 3pm – Arts & Crafts Show Downtown
  • 9am-3pm – Mojo’s Coffee Booth Downtown
  • 9am-3pm – Lunch in the Kaleva Tavern parking lot- 9289 Walta St., Kaleva
  • 10am – Live music featuring the Dixie Jazz Band
  • 12pm – Pig Roast, Open Mic, and Cornhole Tournament

Stay tuned for information on Kaleva Days 2024!

For more information or tickets to Kaleva Days, please contact:

Manistee County Visitors Bureau

(877) 626-4783

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