Plan Ahead: West Michigan Fairs and Festivals August 1-15
It may be the last month of summer for us here in West Michigan, but that doesn't mean the list of fairs and events is any shorter. Just in the next few weeks, there are 22 different fairs and festivals in the West Michigan area, celebrating everything from food, heritage, music, cars, water, surfing, grilling, and so much more.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Friday, July 29-Sunday, August 7, 2022 - Grand Haven, MI
Honoring the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard during a nationally recognized festival. There will be rides, food, and entertainment including an Aerosmith Tribute Band, a Queen Tribute Band, a Jimmy Buffett Tribute, a Journey, Foreigner, Styx Tribute Band, an Eagles Tribute Band and a Chicago Tribute Band. Other entertainment includes the Ultimate Air Dogs, a Rock’n Hop, and a Cardboard Boat Race. More information is available on the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Facebook page.
Magic Get Together
Wednesday, August 3-Saturday, August 8, 2022 - Colon High Auditorium, Colon, MI
It will be the 84th Magic Get Together in Colon. There will be several magic shows, a ghost show, close-up shows, comedy, mind reading, ventriloquism and more. Magicians will be performing in the streets, restaurants and bars. For updated information check out the Abbott's 84th Magic Get Together Facebook Events page.
Cowpie Music Festival
Thursday, August 4-Saturday, August 6, 2022 - Shagbark Farm & Concert Venue, Alaska, MI
This will be the final Cowpie Music Festival. There will be three stages of entertainment on the American Band Stand Stage, the Soul Train Stage, and the Midnight Special Stage. More information can be found on the Cowpie Music Festival Facebook page.
Lansing JazzFest
Thursday, August 4-Saturday, August 6, 2022 - Old Town, Lansing, MI
JazzFest Michigan is back on the streets of Old Town Lansing. There will be 32 performances – something for everyone. It will be a weekend of energy, excitement, music and coming together as a community, to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. As an added benefit, each performing artist has agreed to premiere a song, composition, or arrangement that they’ve never performed publicly before. Get all the details on the Michigan JazzFest Facebook page.
Montcalm Heritage Village Festival
Thursday, August 4-Saturday, August 6, 2022 - Montcalm Community College, Sidney, MI
Go back in time at the 35th annual Heritage Festival on Montcalm Community College’s Sidney campus. During the three-day event, there will be self-guided tours of all Heritage Village buildings. Other special features include reenactments, historic displays, craft demonstrations, vendors, music, children’s activities, vintage baseball and more. For more information check out the Montcalm Heritage Festival 2022 Facebook Events page.
Kalamazoo Ribfest
Friday, August 5-Saturday, August 6, 2022 - Arcadia Creek Festival Place, Kalamazoo, MI
This is one the original festivals held in downtown Kalamazoo. Ribfest is now in its 34th year and is attended by 10,000 people each summer. Proceeds go to benefit the Arc Community Advocates who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to empower them to live a life that is fully included in the community, and advocate on their behalf. Scheduled performers include the Pop 2000 Tour with Chris Kirkpatrick of ‘NSync, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, David Cook, O-Town, and LFO on Friday. Saturday night it will be Sister Hazel and Puddle of Mudd. Get additional details on the Kalamazoo Ribfest Facebook page.
Glad-Peach Festival
Friday, August 5-Sunday, August 7, 2022 - Downtown Coloma, MI
The Coloma Glad-Peach Festival is an annual celebration of the gladiolus flowers and peaches, which are both grown locally. The festival provides two days of family friendly fun for all ages. Events include live music, 5-K Walk/Run, a classic car show, a parade and an aerial fireworks display, and more. For additional information, check out the Coloma Glad-Peach Festival Facebook page.
Hispanic Festival
Friday, August 5-Sunday, August 7, 2022 - Calder Plaza, Grand Rapids, MI
This is the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan's premier annual celebration of our community's rich heritage. This festival has been a Grand Rapids tradition for more than 40 years! The three-day event celebrates and shares the rich diversity of Hispanic heritages, cultures and customs via authentic food, music, dance, costumes and merchandise. The festival is free and open to the public. Get more information on the Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival Facebook page.
A Glimpse of Africa Festival
Saturday, August 6, 2022 - Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids, MI
A Glimpse of Africa provides a platform that brings people together to celebrate, educate, and share the diverse rich African cultures. Celebrate through food, music, dance, fashion, art & crafts, and other community activities. The annual festival is the largest African Cultural Festival in West Michigan with an attendance of over 4,000 people. Find out more on the A Glimpse of Africa Festival Facebook Events page.
2022 Holland Art in the Park
Saturday, August 6, 2022 - Centennial Park, Holland, MI
The annual fine arts and crafts fair, Art in the Park, is celebrating its 51st year! The event draws one of the largest amount of visitors to the city on a single day, second only to Tulip Time. Up to 300 artists and artisans from eight states will be displaying their work. Art in the Park is the main fundraiser to support Holland Friends of Arts. Get additional details on the H.F.A. Presents Art in the Park Facebook Events page.
Kent County Youth Fair
Monday, August 8-Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Kent County Youth Fairgrounds, Lowell, MI
The fair will feature carnival rides for all ages, food, animals and projects of all kinds on exhibit. There will also be free musical entertainment, tractor pulls, and gellyball. Also new this year will be a corn hole tournament. Friday will be Abilities Day and Saturday is Kids Day. For more details check out the Kent County Youth Fair Facebook page.
Unity Christian Music Festival
Wednesday, August 10-Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Heritage Landing, Muskegon, MI
Unity Christian Music Festival is back again for its 21st year with the top artists in Christian Music. For more details check out the United Christian Music Festival Facebook Events page.
National Blueberry Festival
Thursday, August 11-Saturday, August 14, 2022 - South Haven, MI
The National Blueberry Festival is one of the country's oldest continuously-running fruit festivals celebrating South Haven's tremendous blueberry crop, and the important industry it represents in the area. Van Buren County is the Nation's most prolific producer of highbush blueberries, and Michigan as a whole produces upward of 100 million pounds each year. Growers, packers, u-picks, specialty equipment, agritourism, cottage industry and more convene right here in Southwest Michigan, and it's all thanks to the delicious and healthy king of fruits -- the almighty blueberry! Get additional information on the National Blueberry Festival Facebook page.
ABATE SummerFest
Thursday, August 11-Saturday, August 14, 2022 - Boot Hill Ranch, Three Rivers, MI
Get ready for four days of motorcycles, music and misconduct! There will be vendors, activities, live music, parties and more! Details can be found on the ABATE SummerFest ‘22 Facebook Events page.
Coopersville Car Show and Summerfest (formerly Del Shannon Days Car Show)
Friday, August 12-Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Downtown Coopersville, MI
The Coopersville Rotary is excited to be sponsoring the Coopersville Car Show and Summerfest. This is one of the largest linear car shows in West Michigan. Along with the cars, there will also be Arts & Crafts, a Pancake Breakfast, and Entertainment. More information can be found on the Coopersville Car Show and Summerfest Facebook page.
Sparta Celtic Festival
Friday, August 12-Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Sparta Village - Rogers Park, Sparta, MI
The Sparta Celtic Festival is a free and family friendly event focused on the expression of Celtic heritage. The festival offers music, food, and merchants with a Celtic focus. The annual festival features three stages filled with music and dancing. Highland Games, historical encampments, Scottish clans and more. For additional details, check out the Sparta Celtic Festival Facebook page.
Morley Celebration on the Pond
Friday, August 12-Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Morley, MI
Morley is the Trucking Capital of Michigan. On Friday there will be a Car/Truck/Semi-Truck and Tractor Show along with a Semi Light Parade. Saturday will be all day Pulling Events. You can get more information on the Morley Celebration on the Pond Facebook page.
Beerfest on the Bridge
Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Veterans Memorial Bridge, Portland, MI
Mid-Michigan's Favorite BeerFest Returns. Recently voted “Best Local Event” by local beer aficionados. The 6th annual Beerfest on the Bridge will be held on Portland’s historic Veterans Memorial Bridge. Built in 1890, the bridge is one of many in the ‘City of Two Rivers’ creating an attractive and historic entrance into main street. The BeerFest will have over 30 craft beers, 6 ciders and 6 wines! For more details can be found on the MI Portland Downtown Facebook page.
Magic City Egg Fest
Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Colon, MI
This festival is not about chicken eggs, but instead it is a culinary grilling competition for enthusiasts of the Big Green Egg grill. This festival is also for individuals who crave superb barbecue from the Big Green Egg. Big Green Egg is the world’s largest producer and international distributor of the highest-quality ceramic kamado-style charcoal grills. For more information, check out the Magic City Egg Fest Facebook Event page.
Macatawa Water Festival
Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Windmill Island, Holland, MI
This event is designed to help people of all ages learn about our most precious natural resource, Lake Macatawa and its Watershed. Over 20 community partners and sponsors will come together to offer water activities and educational experiences for those attending to learn about restoring and preserving the lake and watershed. There will be opportunities to kayak and bike around the island while exploring and learning about the great outdoors. Other activities include trout fishing (under 17 yrs old), learning about native and invasive plants, performing water quality experiments, and learning about water filtration and pollutants.For additional information, check out the Macatawa Water Festival Facebook Events page.
Michigan Metal Fest
Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Leila Arboretum, Battle Creek, MI
It’s a day full of metal music, featuring over 30 bands on three stages. This annual festival showcases rock and metal bands, local, regional, and nationals alike. Complete with 2 beer tents, 20+ vendors, 8 gourmet food vendors and thousands of Metal Heads. For more details, check out the Michigan Metal Fest Facebook page.
Great Lakes Surf Festival
Saturday, August 13, 2022 - Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, MI
The Great Lakes Surf Festival is dedicated to educating and training the public for the purpose of improving their water related board sports capabilities, their knowledge of the Great Lakes, water safety, and water access. They are a group of experienced surfers and boarders who have a heart for the Great Lakes surfing community and are focused on sharing the stoke and on giving back. The Great Lakes Surf Festival is not a surfing contest and not just a festival. It is a celebration of Great Lakes surf culture and is open to all types of board sports disciplines that enjoy the surf. More information can be found on the Great Lakes Surf Festival Facebook page.
Grand Rapids Tequila Fest
Saturday, August 13, 2022 - DeVos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI
There will be over 100 tequilas, mezcals and cocktails ranging from the simple to the extravagant available for tasting in a fun and social setting. Attendees of the festival will be treated to samplings of the finest brands and varieties of premium and ultra-premium tequilas, as well as tequila liqueurs, crèmes, infusions, mezcals and flavored tequilas. The Mexican spirits can be sampled straight (neat), or in hand-crafted Margaritas and cocktails. Tantalizing tacos and other Mexican favorites will be available for purchase. More details can be found on the Grand Rapids Tequila Fest 2022 Facebook Events page.