SerpApi.Org
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 231-655-1116 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.”
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.
