Muskegon County loves to party and fills its weekends with festivals providing family fun and emphasizing the wonderful lakes, beaches, and parks in the area, or a special part of your ethnic heritage.

Almost every community, large and small, hosts a weekend event beginning in the spring and continuing through the seasons. Muskegon also is home to major music festivals that draw fans from across the country to a unique outdoor venue on Muskegon Lake called Heritage Landing.

Mark your 2008 calendar for these fall and winter events.  Now added for your summer 2009 planning the 2009 Festivals!!!

2008 Festival List

Festival Of Trees

November 20 - 30

This community event and fundraiser features a large display of trees, wreaths, and other holiday items decorated by local designers that are sponsored by individuals and organizations in the community. This festival will also include special events, a gift market, and a cafe. The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W Webster Ave in downtown Muskegon. For more information call 231-720-2574. www.muskegonartmuseum.org

Muskegon Mainstreet Holiday Movie Festival

December 22 - 23

Get into the holiday spirit with family and friends in downtown Muskegon by watching films in classic surroundings at the historic Frauenthal Theatre. For more information, visit the Frauenthal's website. www.frauenthal.info

2009 Festival List

Snowfest

February 3 - 7

Have fun in the snow with so much to do in the Downtown Area.  There is a Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction, Trivia Night, Battle of the Bowls  chili/soup contest, Kid Fest, and Snow Volleyball.  For more information contact dani@muskegonmusuem.org

www.muskegonsnowfest.org

Winter Sports Fest

February 6 - 9

Plan now for the 2nd annual event.  Three Days.  22 Sport Competitions.  3,000 Athletes.  This event is open to any athletes ages age 18 and under.  The event will be held in various locations throughout West Michigan including the Winter Sports Complex.  There will be both indoor and outdoor events.  231-828-4627.

www.wintersportsfest.com

Rock the Coast

May 16 - 17

Ride all day, Rock all night.  Two days of rides at Michigan's Adventure.  Saturday night will feature a main stage with great Christian Artists.  The day stage will feature day artists.  There will also be a Sunday worship service.  For more information kevin@unitychristianevents.com

www.rockthecoast.net

Fruitport Old Fashion Days

May 19 - 25

Come to Downtown Fruitport for a lot of great family fun.  The festival features midway rides, music, games, a parade, riverboat rides, petting zoo, art fair, and a jazz competition.  231-557-3262.

Lost Boat Ceremony

May 24

This time honored tradition pays respect to the 53 submarines and the 3,00 men who lost their lives during World War II.  The ceremony will be held at the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum located in the Muskegon Channel.  231-755-1230.

www.glnmm.org

Blessing of the Boats

May 24

Begin the spring and summer sailing season with a blessing of your boat.  The Port City Princess will be hosting a brunch on board while sailing in Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.  She will then float in the Muskegon Channel where boats can float alongside and be blessed by a priest.  231-728-8387.

www.portcityprincess.com

Parties In The Park
June - August
Enjoy great music, great food and a great time in Hackley Park on Friday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  231-725-6333.

www.partiesinthepark.com

LST Movies on Deck

June - August

Enjoy an evening on the LST with great classic movies.  The showings begin at sunset. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Concessions sold.  Bring your chair or blanket and enjoy a great movie out doors, under the stars.  231-730-1477

www.lst393.org

Antique Tractor & Engine Show
June 11 - 13
Come join fellow tractor and engine lovers at the Muskegon County Fairgrounds for this great event. 231-853-2882.

www.muskegonfairgrounds.com

30th Annual White Lake Area Arts & Crafts Festival

June 20-21

This is a juried arts and crafts festival with continuous live entertainment and a food court. Over 100 artisans will be in participation. Times will be Saturday from 10:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. It will take place at Funnell Field in Whitehall. For more information, contact the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-879-9702.

www.whitelake.org

Miss Michigan Pageant
June 17 - 20
Come to the historic Frauenthal Theater in downtown Muskegon for the crowning of the newest Miss Michigan. The teen pageant will be Friday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and Miss MI will be Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are available through Star Tickets Plus or at the Frauenthal Box Office. 231-798-4272. www.missmichigan.org

Muskegon Heights Festival
June 18 - 21
This unique community celebration opens with a senior picnic and health fair in the city’s Rowan Park and closes with a gospel service. In between, there are sporting events, a grand parade, arts and crafts, and plenty of food and music. 231-578-2099.

Taste of Muskegon

June 20 - 21

Downtown Muskegon comes alive for this annual tradition of great food and great fun. The Taste of Muskegon is a celebration of the area's best restaurants, bakeries, and more serving up their specialties. Come down and sample all the area has to offer for just a few dollars. Restaurants will be selling various items for $1.00 to $5.00! Proceeds to benefit Muskegon Main Street and the Make a Wish Foundation of Michigan, both nonprofit organizations.  231-724-3180

www.tasteofmuskegon.com

Mainstreet Car & Motorcycle Show

June 21

This event will be taking place with the 2nd annual Taste of Muskegon. While you're sampling Muskegon's fine restaurants, enjoy this car and motorcycle show taking place between 4th and 7th Streets in downtown Muskegon. The show will be from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., judging will be from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and awards will be at 2:00 p.m. For more information, e-mail info@mainstreetcarshow.com. www.mainstreetcarshow.com

Derbyshire Renaissance Fair

June 20 - 21& June 27 - 28

For just a pittance you can immerse yourself into a day long celebration! With colorful interactive characters wandering through the village of Derbyshire, just waiting to put a smile on your face. With so many hours of family fun, it's a unique event that will indeed put a smile on your face. Don't forget the camera though, as it is encouraged to take your memories home with you. But don't stop there with over 40 artists and artisan crafters from all over the country, you will find that special gift for that special someone. If you get hungry along the way just stop by the Black Dragon Inn for a tasty fare that is sure you please. With so much to do, you will have to come back everyday. The Derbyshire Renaissance Festival not only has 3 stages with exciting entertainment, but also creates a unique family atmosphere with wandering Minstrels, and Entertainers throughout the Faire. And it's just $9.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Kids 5-12! The Ren fair takes place at the Muskegon County Fair Grounds. For more information call 269-382-6120.

www.muskegonfairgrounds.com

Muskegon Summer Celebration
June 25 - July 5
This is the area’s largest music festival, filling 11 days and nights with national music acts. The music is varied and offers something for everyone. Main stage acts range from rock to rhythm and blues to country to alternative. You’ll know the names of these performers. A second stage features Midwest acts and there is also a Tike Bar on Muskegon Lake where local bands perform. A three-day arts and crafts show, grand parade, and celebration of Michigan products round out the activities. The action is centered at Heritage Landing on the shores of Muskegon Lake with displays and events throughout downtown Muskegon. 231-722-6520.

www.summercelebration.com

Bike Time
July 17 - 19
Muskegon’s newest festival is full of fun, food, music, and celebrating motorcycles. Downtown West Western Avenue will be converted to a 10-block long “motorcycle alley” where bikers can show off their rides. It will claim the title of the longest “Main Street” of all the biker events. Rounding out the fun will be musical entertainment by national artists, a blessing of the bikes, and assorted contests throughout the 10-block Bike Time “Main Street” area. 888-721-TIME.

www.muskegonbiketime.com

Muskegon County Fair
July 21 - 25
Experience the wonders of farm life in Muskegon County.  Support the local youth while they proudly display their agricultural works of the year and show their prized animals.  This event is held at the Muskegon County Fairgrounds. 231-730-3616.

www.muskegonfairgrounds.com

Unity Festival "Day Zero"

August 5

This is a pre-concert for the Unity Christian Music Festival. This free event is great for youth groups, families, etc. Enjoy free Christian music on the shore of Muskegon Lake. It will take place at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon. For more information, please call 800-585-3737.

www.unitymusicfestival.com

Unity 2008 Christian Music Festival
August 6 - 8
This is the biggest Christian music festival in Michigan. Three stages featuring more than 45 acts play continuously during the three-day, family friendly festival. Plenty of family activities fill the day and evening. A prayer tent and other spiritual events also are part of the celebration. The festival takes place at Heritage Landing on Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon. Tickets are available at StarTickets Plus locations. www.unitymusicfestival.com

Northside Family Fest & Arts & Crafts Fair

August 6 - 8

Featured in this event is the North Muskegon Art Fair & Festival in Walker Park from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. There will also be a parade, a 5K run/walk, a Lions Club breakfast, and much more! For more information, please call 231-744-1621.

White Lake Maritime Festival
August 20 - 22
The  White Lake Maritime Festival will be held at Goodrich Park on White Lake, located at 100 N. Lake St. in Whitehall. There will be softball, shuffleboard tournaments, sailing regatta, a food tent, children's activities, a trout pond, a shrimp boil, an arts & crafts fair (Saturday Only), and a beverage and entertainment tent with live bands. 231-893-4585.

www.whitelake.org

5th Annual Moose Fest

August 15th

107MUS presents the 5th annual country music party for thousands of fans on the lakeshore. This event is held at Heritage Landing, with country music performances all day. Tickets are free and can be picked up at local businesses. Ticket locations and performers will be announced as we get closer to the concert date. Check back for more information at the WMUS website.

www.107mus.com

Ross Park Arts & Crafts
August 15

Ross Park in Norton Shores hosts the wonderful displays of hand crafted goods.  There will also be many different food vendors.  Ross Park is located on Randall Rd. and Wellesley. 231-798-4391.

Roosevelt Park Day

August 29th

Join in this great local celebration.  The day begins with a parade followed by an arts and craft fair.  The Station Grill will offer great specials and will have live music.  231-755-3721 x 103.

Shoreline Spectacular
September 4 - 7
This Labor Day Weekend, come to Pere Marquette Park on beautiful Lake Michigan.  There will be activities for all ages. The activities include live entertainment, many food vendors, Laura the Elephant rides, frisbee dog show, arts and crafts, a Labor Day parade, and much more. 231-755-6561.

www.shorelinespectacular.org

Michigan Irish Music Festival
September 18 - 20
This festival features three days of nonstop Irish music and for a third year, a feis, an Irish dance competition, will be scheduled during the day Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena, just a few blocks away from the festival rounds. More than 900 dancers ranging in age from 5 to 50 are expected. The festival also offers children’s music and Irish heritage sessions. Irish vendors and a food and beverage tent add to the fun. The festival takes place at Heritage Landing on Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon.231-739-2028.

www.michiganirish.org

White Lake Fall Fest
September 26 - 27
This event is located in beautiful Whitehall at the North Mears Parking Lot. There is an arts and crafts fair (Saturday Only), farmers market, local food vendors, waiter and waitress competition, live music, hayrides, food and beverages, farmer’s market, and much more!. 800-879-9702.

www.whitelake.org

Buster Keaton Society Convention & Film Festival

October 2 - 3

Buster Keaton was a professional performer and vaudeville star who frequently visited and stayed in the Muskegon area. See some of his films and television footage, tour the Keaton family home, and more. The film festival will take place at the Frauenthal Theatre in downtown Muskegon. For more information, please call 231-759-7253.

www.actorscolony.com

Pumpkin Fest
October 10
Enjoy this wonderful fall festival in Montague.  There will be a farmers, pumpkin pie competition, biggest pumpkin weigh-in, pumpkin painting and carving, the event favorite pumpkin roll, and a lunch and bake sale. 800-879-9702.

www.whitelake.org

Depot to Depot / Oktoberfest

October 17

This event is hosted by Muskegon Mainstreet. There will be food, drinks, and fun. For more information call 231-724-3180.

www.downtownmuskegon.org