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A Fourth of July party held at the Wagoner Community Center helped to kick off the Manistee National Forest Festival on Thursday. 

Manistee National Forest Festival opened on Thursday with carnival rides and a kick off party at the Wagoner Community Center.

Festival goers enjoy the carnival midway at this year's Manistee National Forest Festival.

The Wagoner Community Center was packed on Thursday for the annual Manistee National Forest Festival kick off celebration.

Family-friendly entertainment is available at the Manistee National Forest Festival. 

A kick off party for the Manistee National Forest Festival was held Thursday at the Wagoner Community Center. 

MANISTEE — The 2022 Manistee National Forest Festival has begun.

Festival goers can expect a wide range of events and activities over the Fourth of July weekend, but early attendees have already sampled what celebrations lay in store.

The festival started with a bang — and some polka music — on Thursday with a kick-off party hosted by the Manistee County Council on Aging.

The Wagoner Community Center was packed with attendees, who gathered to enjoy a meal catered by local mainstay Zupin Catering Co. and a spirited performance by Butch Baker and his Just 4 Fun Band.

Anderson Midway Carnival was also open with rides, games, food and fun near the First Street Beach. 

• 8 a.m. to noon — Forest Festival Golf Outing at Manistee National Golf & Resort, 120 County Line Road in Manistee. Enjoy playing 18 holes of golf during this four-person scramble. Register: ManisteeChamber.com

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Trolley Historical Tour, starting from Manistee County Transportation, 180 Memorial Drive. Cost: $6, or $3 for Seniors 65 and older, children, or disabled. Tour the historic Manistee downtown as trolleys leave every hour, until the last tour of the day at 4 p.m.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Friends of the Library Book Sale in the parking lot behind the Manistee Library, 95 Maple St. Huge sale of used books, DVDs, CDs and recorded books for all ages.

• 10 a.m. to dusk — Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo at First Street Beach/Douglas Park. A mobile exhibit that has a variety of animals to view from around the world. FREE

• 11 a.m. — U.S. Forest Service Forest Bus Tour, meet at Manistee County Transportation (Dial-A-Ride), 180 Memorial Drive. The tour will go through some of the national forest lands, including a stop at Spirit of the Woods for lunch. Pack your own lunch and plenty of fluids in case of heat. Advance sign up: 231-848-7090. FREE

• Noon to dusk — Anderson Midway Carnival at First Street Beach/Douglas Park

• Noon to dusk — Festival Marketplace at First Street Beach/Douglas Park. Shop for a variety of goods with over 30 vendors that come from all across the state.

• 1-5 p.m. — Enchanted Forest Exhibit, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. FREE. The exhibit reflects the beauty and enchantment of the Manistee National Forest and all forests of Michigan.

• 4:30-7 p.m. — Lion Club Famous Fish Boil at Lions Pavilion, Douglas Park/First Street Beach. Dinner is locally caught fish, boiled potatoes, onions, coleslaw and rolls. Hot dogs will be available for the kids. Desserts and drinks are available for an additional cost. Proceeds will be donated to the community the with half going to Armory Youth Project and Habitat for Humanity. Cost: $14 for adults, $6 for children

• 6 p.m. — Canvas Painting Party at the Purple Paintbrush, 338 River St. Paint "Lighthouse at Sunset." Cost: $35 per painter, reservations required. Sign up: Purple Paintbrush Facebook event page or call/text 231-747-9430 6-9 p.m. Summer Crush at Armory Youth Project, 555 First St. Middle school dance on the side lawn at the Armory Youth Project. FREE

• 6:30-8:30 p.m. — Live Music at Iron Fish Distillery with Chris Sterr, 14234 Dzuibanek Road in Thompsonville. FREE 7-11 p.m. Jaycees Beach Jam at First Street Beach. Good tunes performed by local musicians. BYOB (no glass bottles) and bring a chair. FREE

Visit manisteeforestfestival.com for more information. 

I grew up in Genesee County and received a Bachelor of Arts from U of M. I am a hobbyist fish keeper who enjoys stargazing and bird watching.