Each mid-July, the Village of Bear Lake bustles with a variety of activities for the annual Bear Lake Days. The Village is located in the northern part of Manistee County, about 15 miles north of Manistee on US 31. Activities of the 3-day festival typically include an adults and kids fishing contest, pig roast, merchants sidewalk sales, kids games, entertainment tent, boat and pontoon parade, classic car show, arts/crafts fair, summer fun run, bike tour, Saturday night parade and fireworks.

Here's what happened in 2019.

Friday

Kid's Fishing Contest, 8am, check in at Bear Lake Boat Launch.
Farmers Market, 1-5pm, near Rip It Ridge.
Kids Crafts & Face Painting, 2-3:30pm, under the tent.
Golf Scramble, 4pm, Bear Lake Golf Course.
Pig Roast, 4:30pm, Bear Lake Methodist Church.
Horse Pull, 5-8pm, Correct Compression on US-31 South.
Boat Parade, 7:30pm, gather at Hopkins Lake boat launch.

Saturday

5k Walk/Run, 7am, Hopkins Park.
Bear Lake Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8-10am, Lions Den on Lake Street.
Kid's Fishing Contest, 11am-noon; 5-6pm, Bear Lake Boat Launch.
Car Show, 9am-3pm, Main Street.
Adams Chainsaw Art & Sawmill, 9am-8pm, south of Hopkins Park entrance.
Book Sale, 9am-5pm, corner of Lynn & Main street.
Arts & Crafts and Vendor Booths, 9am-5pm, Main Street.
Loop the Lake bike tour, 9:20am, meet at The Bear.
Kids Bounce House, 10am-4pm, Bear Lake Bar parking lot.
Pony Rides, 10am-1pm, grass area by Bear Lake Bar.
Triginta Brats & Hot Dogs, 10am-4pm, Food Court.
Food Trucks, 10am, Lynn Street.
Face Painting, 11am-3pm, Village Park.
Kids Games & Activities, 10am-12pm, behind Richmond Drug Store.
Penny Scramble, 12-1pm, behind Richmond Drug Store.
Lumberjack Show, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, Auto Value Parking Lot.
Magician John Russell, 2pm, under the tent.
Bike Decorating Contest, 4pm, under the tent.
Scottville Clown Band performance, 6-7:30pm, Blarney Warehouse parking lot.
Variety Band, Flat Broke, 7:30-11pm, under the tent.
Bear Lake Days parade, 8pm, line up at Bear Lake High School.
Fireworks, dusk, over the lake.

Sunday

Bear Lake Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8-11am, Lions Den.
Triginta Club Silent Auction 8am -1pm, Lions Den.
First Baptist Church Service, 10:30am-noon, under the tent.
Bear Lake Days 50/50 drawing, noon, under the tent.

Events are listed according to the information available at the time of the most recent update to this story. The schedule is subject to change. Please see Bear Lake Days Facebook Page for complete information.

More Manistee Area Events...

For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in West Michigan:

Ludington Activities & Things to Do -- Play on a beautiful beach, take a tour at Historic White Pine Village, or explore the barn quilt trail, murals or sculptures in the county--Ludington offers many fun things to do for the entire family!
Have Fun in Manistee, Michigan -- Explore Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk, hike the Manistee National Forest, canoe on the Manistee River, and more.
Hamlin Lake -- Just 4 miles north of Ludington, Hamlin Lake is a great destination for boating, fishing and climbing dunes! The Hamlin Lake shoreline is also part of the Ludington State Park.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes -- Visiting the Silver Lake Sand Dunes makes for a terrific vacation because you can take your off-road vehicle for a spin on the scenic sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and Silver Lake.
Things to Do in Pentwater, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like the quaint, artsy, harbortown village of Pentwater. Don't miss the popular Charles Mears State Park beach on Pentwater's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Lots of Activities in Scottville, Michigan -- Explore the Riverside Park along the National Scenic Pere Marquette River.
Canoeing or Fishing on the Pere Marquette River -- Many boat liveries offer canoe rentals.
Also, check out West Michigan Guides and our locally produced WestMichigan.MichBiz.com directory for our largest lists of Things to Do in West Michigan.