Event Calendar for Manistee, Mason, southern Benzie, western Lake, western Wexford counties and sometimes farther

Tell them you saw it in the Freshwater Reporter! 

Email event items to us at any time for our online calendar.  The deadline for our July  issue is June 18.  Email items to: editor@freshwater-reporter.com. ALWAYS check with the venue (call ahead) before making plans to attend events. Despite our best efforts, errors occur. Click on the GREEN links to be taken to the event website or for ticket information. PHOTO:  MDOT Turtle Crossing sign along M-22 in Elberta, Michigan.

FARMERS MARKETS

MONDAYS             

Scottville Farmers Market
10am-3pm. May 10 – mid-September. Every other Monday in West Shore Bank parking lot, 107 W. State St. & along Main Street.

THURSDAYS       

Elberta Farmers Market 
8am-12pm. May 21 –  October 1. Penfold Park, 1098 Lakeside Blvd.

FRIDAYS             

Ludington Artisan/Farmers Market 
2-7pm. May 22 – September 18. Legacy Plaza Pavilion, 112 N James St.

SATURDAYS           

Frankfort Farmers Market 
9am-1pm. May 2 – October 17. Open Space Park, 800 Main St.

Manistee Farmers Market 
9am-12pm. May 24 – October 4. Wagoner Community Center, 260 Saint Mary’s Pkwy.

MUSIC SERIES

MONDAYS

Concerts in the Park, Onekama 
7-9pm. Free/donations accepted.  June 22 – August 10. Onekama Village Park, 4701 Main St. Rain site: Onekama Schools cafeteria, 5016 Main St. Bring lawn chair/blanket. 
June 
22           Jim Hawley
29           Fifth Gear Band

Jammin’ Mondays on Betsie Bay, Elberta
7-9:15pm. Free. June 15 – August 31. Waterfront Amphitheater, Elberta Waterfront Park, 1074 State Hwy. 168. Rain site: Waterfront Park Picnic Pavilion. Bring lawn chair/blanket. 
June
15           Big L and Code: Blu 
22           The Ivas John Band 
29           Erena Terakubo Quartet

TUESDAYS

Shoreline Showcase, Manistee
7-9:15pm, Free/donations accepted June 16- September 1. Rotary Gazebo, First St. Beach, Douglas Park, 100 S Lakeshore Dr. Rain Site: Orchard Beach State Park Shelter House, 2064 Lakeshore Rd. Bring lawn chair/blanket. 
June
16           Big L and Code: Blu 
23           The Ivas John Band  
30           Erena Terakubo Quartet 

WEDNESDAYS

Echo Through the Timber Concert Series, Baldwin 
7-9:15pm. Free/donations accepted. June 24 – September 2. Wenger Pavilion, 876 Michigan Ave. (behind Jones’ Ice Cream). Rain or shine. Bring lawn chair/blanket.
June
17           Sears N Sears Quintet 
24           Cat Daddy

LACA Summer Concert Series, Ludington 
7-9pm, Free/donations accepted. June 17 –   September 2. Waterfront Park, 1122 S William St. Bring lawn chair/blanket. 
June 
17           Big L and Code: Blu         
24           The Ivas John Band 

THURSDAYS

Live in the Plaza Music Series, Ludington
6-8pm, Free. June 4 – September 17. Legacy Plaza, 112 N James St. Bring lawn chair.
June
4              Two Dollar Bills
11           Redux
18           Nick Veine 
25           Mark Kinney

Music in the Streets, Beulah 
7-8:30pm. Free. June 25th – August 13th. Downtown, 273 S Benzie Blvd. Bring lawn chair. 
June 
25 

Summer Sounds Music Series, Thompsonville
7-9pm, $15 ADV, $20 DOS, 15 & under Free. ¼ mile hike to amphitheater. Bring chair pad/lawn chair/blanket. Michigan Legacy Art Park, Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. Rain site: inside the resort. Tickets: https://michlegacyartpark.org/events/summer-sounds/ 
June 
25           Luunappi (6pm.)

Sunset Beach Bonfire Series, Ludington 
8-10pm, Free. Bonfire & music. Stearns Park Beach, 420 N Lakeshore Dr. Bring chair/blanket. 
June 
25           The World Famous Scottville Clown Band 

Upbeat Cadillac Music Series, Cadillac 
7-9:15pm. Free/donations. Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion, 100 S Lake St. Bring lawn chair/blanket. 
June 
18          TBD 
25          TBD

FRIDAYS                  

Live in the Plaza Music Series, Ludington
6-8pm, Free. May 22 – September 18. Legacy Plaza, 112 N James St. Bring lawn chair.
May               
29           Joe Irelan
June
5              Onager                                                                                                                                   
12           Finding Feathers
19           Two Dudes in Flip Flops
26           Tom Zatarga

SATURDAYS

Sounds from the Forest Music Series, Baldwin 
7-9:15pm. Free/donations accepted. June 27 – September 5. Wenger Pavilion, 876 Michigan Ave. (behind Jones’ Ice Cream). Rain or shine. Bring lawn chair/blanket. 
June 
20           Big L and Code: Blu 
27           The Ivas John Band 

ONGOING EVENTS (Scroll for Daily Events)

Thru June 12 

Spring Art Show, Arcadia
Free. Arcadia Community Center, 3586 Glovers Lake Rd.

Thru June 19 

Beyond the Print Art Exhibition, Frankfort 
Free. Original works by regional artists who push the boundaries of printmaking featuring John Hubbard, Jim Shrier, and Jennifer Kritcher. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd.

Thru June 27

Normal is a Social Construct, Ludington 
Free. Nina Martine Robinson explores vulnerability, discomfort & acceptance through the lens of an autistic woman. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St. Opening reception June 5, 6-7pm.

Specific to Sight: Mapping Time and Place Art Exhibition, Ludington 
Free. Solo exhibition of Jamie Gannon. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St. Opening reception June 5, 6-7pm.

Thru July 10

Summer Member Art Exhibition, Frankfort
Free. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd. Opening reception June 6, 5-7pm.

Thru Aug 31

Community Collage Project, Frankfort 
$40/canvas. Artists will donate their works on 200 mini canvases. 100% of sales will benefit Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd.

June 14, 21, 28

Idlewild Float the Lake Sundays, Idlewild 
1pm. Free. Join the local community on Idlewild Lake in canoes, kayaks & row boats, weather permitting.

June 19-July 24

Saved from the Bin Art Exhibition, Manistee 
Free. Artworks made from recycled/upcycled materials. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Opening reception June 19, 5-7pm.

June 19-Sept. 11

Summer Art Show, Arcadia
Free. Arcadia Community Center, 3586 Glovers Lake Rd. Opening reception June 19, 5:30-7pm.

June 26-July 31

Jubilee! Ode to the Michigan Cherry, Frankfort 
Free. Art exhibition celebrating all things cherry. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd. Opening reception June 26, 4pm.

DAILY EVENTS

June is National Pride Month and Juneteenth is a national holiday.  Read our Juneteenth story in our current edition, online and in print.

10

Invasive Species Education Workshop, Ludington
6pm. Free. Ludington Town Hall, 400 S Harrison St.

11

Farm Field Day 2026, Bear Lake 
5-8pm. Free, donations accepted. Presented by Mason-Lake Conservation District. Geared toward farmers but open to the public. Dinner provided. BrixStone Farms, 11240 Milarch Rd. Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/tpvjbmx2

Pride Extravaganza, Traverse City
Doors open 5pm. Showtime @ 6pm. $25. Must be 18 & over. At the State Theatre, 233 E. Front St. 

11-13

Midwest Jet Pilot Spring Fling, Baldwin 
10am-5pm. Free for spectators. Over 100 RC (remote controlled) jets soar all weekend. Music. Food & beverages to purchase. Free parking. Baldwin Municipal Airport, 7668 S M-37. Bring lawn chairs, sunglasses, cooler.

12

Upper Platte River Clean Sweep, Benzie Co.
9:30am. Enjoy a morning on the Upper Platte as you help keep the river beautiful and trash free. For details & to RSVP, go to: benziecd.org/events

Native Plant Social, Onekama
11am-3pm. Black Cap Farm, 5265 Crescent Beach Rd. Community celebration of native plants, habitat and connection. Local organizations & info tables. Native plants available for purchase. Prizes, giveaways & free resources.

Hello Summer Cocktail Party, Onekama
5-8pm. $40. Join the Portage Lake Association for heavy appetizer buffet, cash bar, silent auction & music by DJ Val. Dress in best red, white & blue. Proceeds benefit PLA projects. Portage Point Resort, 8567 Portage Point Dr. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3b3dctdx or in person (cash/check only) at Anchored Designs or MacBeth in Onekama.

In concert: Family Tradition with Zeke Clemons, Manistee 
5:30-11pm. $20 Door. The outdoor venue at Little River Casino Resort, 2700 Orchard Hwy.  

 Lakestride Family Fun Run, Ludington
6pm. Free. One mile. Stearns Park, 950 W Ludington Ave.

In concert: Viridian Strings, Frankfort 
7pm. $10. “Freshwater Fantasies” chamber music. Works by Clara Schumann, Vaugn Williams & Schubert. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd. Tickets: oliverart.org

13

Lakestride Half Marathon, 5k, 10k, fun run, Ludington
8am. $0-$55 depending on race entered. Stearns Park, 950 W. Ludington Ave. Registration: runsignup.com

Legends of Labyrinth Disc Golf Tournament, Scottville 
8am. $25-$50. Singles tournament. 2 rounds of 24. Labyrinth Course, West Shore Community College, 3000 N Stiles Rd. Info/register: discgolfscene.com

Northern Michigan Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, Frankfort 
9-10am Check in. 10am Walk begins. $25 min. Fundraiser for Lupus Research Alliance. Mineral Springs Park, 630 Main St. Info/regis: https://tinyurl.com/3jvrm94m

Guided Nature & Birdwatching Hike, Thompsonville
10-11:30am. Free with Art Park admission ($10 adults, $5 kids over 5 or $20 for families) Led by Angie Quinn. Meet at Mich. Legacy Art Park Trailhead, ¼ mile from parking area, rain or shine. Bring binocs if avail. Check Facebook 1 hour prior for severe weather cancellation. Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr.

Antique Tractor Pulling, Scottville 
10am-2pm. Free for spectators. Western Mich. Old Engine Club sanctions dead weight tractor pulling for antique farm stock tractors. All tractors must have been built prior to 1956. Riverside Park, 700 S Scottville Rd.

13th Annual Blessing of the Bugs VW Car Show & Beach Cruise, Manistee 
10am-2pm. Manistee Moose Lodge, 1010 Robinson St.

Summer Arts & Crafts Fair, Ludington 
10am-4pm. The Barn at Shagway, 5949 Shagway Rd.

Northern Michigan Music Festival, Cadillac 
11am-midnight. $10 parking, $5 admission. 14 Michigan bands, vendors, food trucks, beer tent. Proceeds  benefit the park. Veterans Serving Veterans Community Park, 3740 S 41 Rd.

American Teenager presentation, author Niko Lang, Manistee 
2pm. Free/donations. “American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era” PFLAG & MARJDI event. WSCC Building, 400 River St.    

Summer Kick Off Party, Free Soil 
4-11pm. Wear Hawaiian shirts & grass skirts. Smoked pulled pork dinner, tropical drinks, silent auction, special musical treat: 8-11pm. The Hof Bar & Grill, 3220 E Free Soil Rd.

In concert: That Arena Rock Show with Zeke Clemons & Pinter Whitnick, Manistee 
5:30-11pm. $20 Door. The outdoor venue at Little River Casino Resort, 2700 Orchard Hwy.

Live music: Luke Winslow-King, Rachael Davis & Zak Bunce, Cadillac 
8pm. Coyote Crossing Resort, 8593 S 13 Rd. Info/tickets: coyotecrossingresort.com

13-14

Michigan’s “Three Free” Weekend, Statewide 
Free ORV Weekend coincides with Summer Free Fishing Weekend, when fishing licenses & Recreation Passport requirements are waived. Residents can fish & ride the off-road trails & visit state parks and boating access sites, all free of charge. All other fishing/ORV rules & regsLiv still apply.

14

Five Color Tea Party, Idlewild
2-5pm. $15. Attend dressed to impress. 6260 S Nelson Rd.

Live music: Sound Bath, Benzonia 
7pm. Free. Donations encouraged. Benzie Area Community Emergency Fund concert. Led by Jill Mann of Peaceful Vibrations with crystal singing bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, gong, chimes, & more.- Benefits the emergency fund & Mills Community House, 891 Michigan Ave. Bring mat, cushions, blanket, etc. Wear comfy clothes. Register: https://tinyurl.com/3dpn3xxd

16

Michigan Legacy Art Park Golf Classic, Thompsonville 
8:30am registration opens, 10am shotgun start. $125 for 18 holes. Prizes & snacks following golf. Cash bar. Proceeds help support the Art Park. Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr.

17

Beach Sweep & Green Drinks, Ludington 
7-8pm, Free. Help clean the beach. Meet at south concession stand at Stearns Park, 420 N. Lakeshore Dr. Gloves/bags provided. Drinks/networking after. BYO. No Glass. affew.org

18

Dune Wildflower Hike at Old Baldy Trailhead, Arcadia Dunes 
10am-12pm, Free. Join GTRLC docent & plant expert Paula Dreeszen on a 2.5-mile hike. Wear hiking shoes, bring water & snack. Sunscreen, bug spray & camera/binocs suggested. Registration required: gtrlc.org

19

Live music in the Hoop House, Benzonia 
6:30pm Doors open, 7:30pm Music starts. $10 suggested donation, kids free. See Grow Benzie’s new facilities makeover. Music by Barefoot, food, drinks, tours. Meet staff & board, learn mission & check out the incubator kitchen, Fiber Shed, sewing studio, event center, hoop houses, bee yard, offices, edible trails & community garden. Grow Benzie, 5885 Frankfort Hwy. Bring lawn chair/blanket.

19-20

AAUW Used Book Sale, Ludington 
Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm.  All funds raised go to college scholarships for local HS grads. United Methodist Church of Ludington, 5810 E Bryant Rd.