Michigan’s Upper Thumb Festivals
Bad Axe
Huron Community Fair – This end of summer offers good old-fashioned 4-H agricultural exhibits, a midway full of rides and attractions, and an arena of events that include rodeos, tractors, and team pulling, demolition derbies, and live entertainment.
Bay Port
Fish Sandwich Festival – This is considered one of the original shoreline festivals that has been featured by ABC’s 20/20, and NBC’s Today Show. It celebrates one of the tastiest creations of the Upper Thumb. An original recipe fish sandwich that takes two hands to hold. Held in early August.
Caseville
Shanty Days – This mid-winter festival in February began in 1992. The major events can be found at Caseville County Park and in Caseville Harbor. The highlights include a Polar Bear Dip, Chili Cook-off Potty Trotty, and Broom Ball Hockey.
Ribstock – It starts to warm up in the Upper Thumb in June and it also signals the start of festival season. Ribstock is a weekend full of top county western bands, line-dancing lessons and, a BBQ cook-off that brings in brisket and rib cooks from all over the state. This is an opportunity to kick off summer with being a cowboy or cowgirl for a weekend.
Cheeseburger in Caseville – Considered the highlight of the summer festivals the August Cheese Burger in Caseville event its 10 days of grilled burgers, grass skirts, and crazy hats. Caseville rolls out the red carpet and hosts over 20,000 visitors to see the mid-week Parade of Topical Fools.
Pumpkin Festival – Enjoy the fall color and bring the kids to make a scarecrow, put a face on a pumpkin and participate in various events. The event is scheduled in late September or early October.
Christmas in Caseville – This December event offers food, fun and a visit from Santa.
Harbor Beach
Maritime Music Festival – Enjoy music on the beach on this three-day event. Some of the best up-and-coming bands in Michigan are featured. Camp on the beach and browse the festival’s craft booths.
Pigeon
Port Austin
Porch Fest – This June event is part of a large annual music event held across the United States and in Canada on front porches. Started in Ithaca, New York in 2007, Port Austin’s first porch fest events bring local musicians and neighborhoods together to celebrate and create a sense of community.
Art in the Park – Labor Day – Original artwork from local and statewide artists. Mediums include watercolor, oil, acrylic, photography, ceramics, wood creations, jewelry, decorative ironwork, rustic birdhouses, stained and fused glass, gourd art, burn sketching, mixed media, fiber art, soaps, hand-carved ice fishing decoys, wood feathers, and wearable art.
