MANISTIQUE - Manistique will hold its 23rd annual Folkfest celebration July 13 and 14, with many events planned for those of all ages.
According to Paul Walker, an organizer for the event, the two-day Folkfest will be held on Manistique's Main Street and business district.
The event is sponsored by the Schoolcraft County Chamber of Commerce.
"Folkfest has been a staple of Manistique's summer for 23 years bringing a festive atmosphere to locate old friends, reunite with family, and meeting new friends who are visiting the area," said Walker.
He said the event typically attracts between 3,000 to 4,000 people to Manistique each year, since many people visiting the area stick around after Independence Day.
This year's Folkfest will feature food vendors, arts and craft booths, the Paul Bunyan Beer Pub, as well as the ever popular Children's Fun-Lane, which will include activities for kids such as Abracadabra Arcade Jumps, face painting, and Indian Lake Mini Golf, to name a few.
New to the event this year is the Information Alley, where local non-profit organizations will have information booths set up.
The event will also feature many bands performing music of all genres.
"Folkfest has music for everyone from country, blues, rock & roll, and contemporary," said Walker. The central stage is located at the Main and Oak Street intersection. Friday and Saturday nights will feature two street dances with four bands.
Bands and performers featured this year include: Gator and the River Boys Band, Floyd Brothers Band, Blue Water Ramblers, MJ Bishop and WT Davidson, The Derrell Syria Project, Kendra Bloom, The Three J's, and The Cadillac's.
Folkfest will kick off Friday at 6 p.m. with the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter Pet Parade, with band performances and the street dance to follow.
The Paul Bunyan Beer Pub will be open Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.., and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Festivities continue Saturday with the Manistique Paper Chase 5K-10K Run/Walk. Registration for this event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Manistique Senior Citizens Center, with the race set to begin at 9 a.m.
Other activities Saturday include the Folkfest 2012 Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m., which will feature the recognition of the 2012 Folkfest Hero, honored for their volunteerism and strives to make the community a better place.
The day will also feature a silent auction, live auction, and live entertainment into the night.
Anyone interested in serving as a vendor at this year's Folkfest may contact the Chamber of Commerce at 341-5010.
For more information on Folkfest, visit the event's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FolkfestMSTQ.