Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair on Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8. The fair runs each day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes more than 60 demonstrators of traditional skills and crafts at five historic sites.
The fair takes place in the rural historic district of Port Oneida, centered at Port Oneida Road and Harbor Highway (M-22), 4 miles north of Glen Arbor. Locations include Olsen Farm, Thoreson Farm, Dechow Farm, Kelderhouse Farm, and Port Oneida Schoolhouse.
New this year, a special prefair program takes place on Thursday, August 6 at 7 p.m. at the Glen Haven.
Cannery & Boat Museum at 5291 Glen Haven Road. Author Susan Wasserman presents her award-winning book, “Stepping off the Boat: Stories from North Manitou Island.” The ties between the Manitou Islands and Port Oneida are strong, as many original mainland families first settled on the islands. The venue in the boat museum will bring her stories to life.
Port Oneida Fair parking is at one of three parking lots (Thoreson, Olsen and Dechow farms) with a free shuttle stopping at each of the locations approximately every 15 minutes. The proximity of Olsen, Dechow and Kelderhouse allow for easy walking between them on walking paths, or you can enjoy a horse and wagon ride between Olsen and Dechow farms.
The fair brings the Port Oneida Rural Historic District alive with activities true to the by-gone period when it was a community of robust settlers. Visitors will experience life as it was in the late 1800s and early 1900s with each farm having a variety of artists, music, crafts, food, games and programs. This summer, as the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary, the fair will be “Celebrating the Threads of a Nation” in a theme that will give visitors the opportunity to reflect on the places and people of our shared history.
Featured artists include barn quilt artwork, and traditional tin type art with personalized portraits by a traditional artist. School Days will be in session at 11 and 2 p.m. daily at the one room schoolhouse with a Junior Ranger program and historic toys outside.
The 2026 Port Oneida Fair poster features original artwork by local artist, Wendy McWhorter, with the painting, Flying Old Glory at Pete and Jennie Burfiend Farmhouse. Posters will be available for sale at Dechow and Olsen farms during the fair and are available now for pre-sale at the Olsen Farm during regular hours, or at the online shop at sleepingbearforever. org
The Fair is presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Sleeping Bear Forever (formerly Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear).
The event is free with a park pass. For more information, go to https://phsb.org/port-oneidafair/.
