The National Trout Festival consists of events, activities, and parades that take place mainly at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds and downtown at Railroad Square in the 300 block of Cedar St. We welcome several community groups as partners that offer a variety of events during the five-day festival. You will find info in our schedule and more details on this website. Rise & Shine; It's Fishing Time!

Schedule:

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

5:45 PM - Opening Ceremony

Downtown at Leo, the Trout Memorial Fountain Crowning of the 2023 National Trout Festival Kinc and Queen, introduction of the 2023 Grand Royal Parade Grand Marshall with special guests, the KHS Jazz Band

6:30 PM - Trout-tastic!

Pavilion at Railroad Square, Downtown
Sponsored by Trout Town Tavern and Eatery
Live Music with Derailed, Raffles/Auctions, Free
to attend, Cash Bar Refreshments donated by Moose & Stella's Cafe, Trout Town Tavern & Eatery, BC Pizza, Yankee Boy Restaurant, & Bear Lake Inn

Thursday, April27, 2023

12 to 7 PM - Flea Market open at Fairgrounds

4 to 7 PM - McTeacher Night

McDonalds of Kalkaska
KHS teachers taking orders and serving for donations and tips for the KHS Yearbook

4 to 10 PM - Skerbeck's Family Carnival Fairgrounds

5 to 10 PM - Shady Belle

'Kalkaska Senior Center, 303 S. Coral St Food and Local Entertainment Brought to you by Pathways Art Council Kalkaska "Please note new venue for this year.

Friday, April 28, 2023

10 AM - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom Fairgrounds

Reptile Display and Petting Zoo
(Camel rides will be available.)

10 AM to 5 PM - NWMI Fishing Club Portable

Trout Pond, Kalkaska Twp Fire Dept,
This free fishing activity is an option for children

10 and under (older siblings welcome) as it's a slower pace than our kids' fishing contest.

10 AM to 12 PM - Trout Brunch with Royalty and Entertainment, Kalkaska Senior Center (Brunch served from 10 to 11 am) Live entertainment
Crowning of the Senior King and Queen Must RSVP by 4/20, 231-258-5030

10 AM to 8 PM- Flea Market open at Fairgrounds

11 AM TO 1:15 PM - Trout Friday Youth Parade Check-In, Kalkaska Sr Center, Cherry St lawn-Must be registered and in line up by 1:00 PM to be judged
-If not being judged, must be registered and in line up by 1:30 PM and Parade begins at 2 PM Sponsored by Glen & Gwen Catt

12 to 11 PM - Skerbeck's Family Carnival Fairgrounds

2 PM - Trout Friday Youth Parade

Downtown, W. Dresden St to Cedar St to Third St Brought to you by the KHS National Honor Society

2:30 to 4 PM - Free Kids' Games- Win prizes! Kalkaska Senior Center Pavilion Lawn Sponsored by Coldsprings Christian Fellowship (Inside Senior Center if inclement weather.) 5to 10 PM-Shady Belle Kalkaska Senior Center, 303 S. Coral St Food and Local Entertainment 'Please note new venue for this year.

6 PM- Trout Friday Dodge Ball Tourney Kalkaska High School Gym, $2 entry Fundraiser for the Senior Parent Association

7 PM - Trout Friday Concert featuring

The Fabulous Horndogs wsg Motor City Vibrations Pavilion at Railroad Square, Downtown Free to attend, Gate open 6:30 pm, Cash Bar Sponsored by Voice Motors 7 PM - Free Christian Music Concert Kalkaska Church of Christ parking lot Welcome contemporary Christian artist Josh Wilson (will move inside if inclement weather)

Saturday, 29, 2023

8 to 10 AM - Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser - Kalkaska Senior Center

$5-13 and older, $3-12 and younger
To benefit the COA's Home-Delivered Meals

9 AM to 5 PM - Kids' Fishing Contest - Nation Family Property, 377 M66 SE

All Children Must Be Accompanied By An Adult
Fly fishing demonstrations throughout the day. Catch a tagged fish, win a prize! Sponsored by Northland Food & Family Center and Coding Products. Bait donated by DMF Bait.

10 AM - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom

Reptile Display and Petting Zoo, Fairgrounds (Camel rides will be available.)

10 AM - Wood Memorial Trout Run - Kalkaska High School

Brought to you by the KHS Cross Country and Track & Field programs

10 AM to 5 PM - K.A.M.P.S. Fun Fly Air Show - Beebe Rd, RC Air Vehicles

10 AM to 5 PM - Winterfest Craft Show - Kaliseum Ice Arena

Brought to you by the Kalkaska WinterFest

10 AM to 5 PM- NWMI Fishing Club Portable Trout Pond, Kalkaska Twp Fire Dept, This free fishing activity is an option for children 10 and under (older siblings welcome) as it's a slower pace than our kids' fishing contest.

10 AM to 8 PM- Flea Market open at Fairgrounds

11 AM - Princess & Me Dress Up Tea Mill Pond Event Center

Brought to you by the Miss Kalkaska Program; Lunch, Story Time, Photos Ops, Tickets $12

11 AM to 1 PM - Grand Royale Parade Check-In - Birch Street Elementary

-Must be registered and in line up by 1:00 PM
to be judged

-If not being judged, must be registered and in line
up by 1:30 PM

-Parade begins at 2 PM

11 AM - Timber Wolf Trout Fest Golf Outing

Timber Wolf Golf Club, a portion of registration fees
is donated to the NTF.

12 to 11 PM - Skerbeck's Family Carnival Fairgrounds

2 PM - 86th Grand Royale Parade

Downtown, Evergreen St to Cedar St to Third St Sponsored by Forest Area Federal Credit Union Immediately following the parade, the Scottville Clown Band (sponsored by CATT Development) will perform at the Pavilion at Railroad Square and the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums (sponsored by Grandview Golf Club) will perform at the Shady Belle at the Senior Center. 3to 10 PM-Shady Belle Kalkaska Senior Center, 303 S. Coral St Food and Local Entertainment 'Please note new venue for this year.

12 to 11 PM - Troutzillafest XII Music Stage

Pavilion at Railroad Square, Downtown
Free to attend. Cash Bar at 4 pm
Brought to you by Obscurrus Diem Productions

5 PM - Spring Fling Bump-n-Run & More

Arena at Fairgrounds, Gate opens at 4 pm Brought to you by Kalkaska Co Ag Fair New for Derby Ticket holders- Beer Tent $10/Adults, $5/12 & Under, Free/ 5 & under
Dusk - Fireworks Display
Over the Fairgrounds Sponsored by RL Morris <& Sons Brought to you by Pyrotechnico

Sunday, April 30, 2023

8:30 AM to 9:45 AM - NTF Car Show Sign-in - Railroad Square, Downtown

10 AM to 3 PM - National Trout Festival Car Show

Railroad Square, Downtown
Vote for the People's Choice. Awards at 2:30
Sponsored by Forward Inking Design

9 AM - Open Fishing for Kids and Veterans - Nation Family Property, 377 M66 SE

All Children Must Be Accompanied By An Adult

10 AM - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom

Reptile Display and Petting Zoo, Fairgrounds (Camel rides will be available.)

10 AM to 3 PM- Flea Market open at Fairgrounds

10 AM to 5 PM - K.A.M.P.S. Fun Fly Air Show

Beebe Rd, RC Air Vehicles

12 to 6 PM - Skerbeck's Family Carnival Fairgrounds

1 PM - Pizza Eating Contest at the Car Show Railroad Square, Downtown

Open to all ages, must pre-register on NTF website or at BC Pizza Kalkaska Sponsored by BC Pizza of Kalkaska and Black Diamond Broadcasting

Date: Apr 26 - 30, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Kalkaska, MI

Click here for More Information