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.

Schedule

April 24, 2025

5:45 pm - Opening Ceremony
Downtown at Loo, the Trout Memorial Fountain Crowning of the 2024 National Trout Festival King and Queen, introduction of the 2024 Grand Royale Parade Grand Marshal with special guests. the KHS Jazz Band

6:30 pm - Trout-tastic!
Pavilion at Railroad Square, Downtown Live Music with Not 2 Nile (Sponsored by Trout Town Tavern and Eatery), Raffles/Auctions, Free to attend, Cash Bar Refreshments donated by Moose & Stella's Cafe. Trout Town Tavern & Eatery. BC Pizza. Yankee Boy Restaurant. & Twin Birch Restaurant & Golf

April 25, 2025

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 Family Carnival Fairgrounds

5 to 10 pm - Shady Belle
'Kalkaska Senior Center. 303 S. Coral St Food and Local Entertainment. Open to all Brought to you by Pathways Art Council Kalkaska 'Please note change of venue again this year.

April 26, 2025

10 AM - Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom Reptile Display and Petting Zoo, Fairgrounds (Camel rides will be available.)

10 AM to 5 pm - NWMI Fishing Club Portable Trout Pond. Kalkaska Twp Fire Oept 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 conlest.

10 AM to 12 pm - Trout Brunch for Lunch with Royalty and Entertainment, Kalkaska Senior Center (Lunch served from 11 am to Noon) Live entertainment & Crowning of the Senior King and Queen begins at 10 am
Must RSVP by 4/18. 231-253-5030

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 Kalkaska tAedical Associates Providers

12 pm to close - Skcrbcck Family Carnival Fairgrounds

2 pm - Trout Friday Youth Parade
Downtown, Cherry St to 5th St to Cedar St to 3rd St Brought to you by the KHS National Honor Society 2:30 to 4:30 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. Open to all 'Please note change of venue again this year.

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

6 pm- Trout Friday Dodge Ball Tourney
Kalkaska High School Gym. $3 entry/$10 family Fundraiser for the Senior Parent Association

7 pm - Trout Friday Night Concert featuring The Breakfast Club wsg Arizona Son Pavilion at Railroad Square. Downtown Free to attend, Gate open 6:30 pm, Cash Bar Sponsored by Voice Motors and McLean's Hardware 7 pm - Free Christian Music Concert Kalkaska Church of Christ parking lot Welcome contemporary Christian artists Love and the Outcome {will move inside if inclement weather)

April 27, 2025

8 to 10 AM - Pancake or Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast Fundraiser   Kalkaska SeniorCenter S6-13 and older. $4-12 and younger To benefit the COA's Home-Delivered Meals

9 AM to 5 pm - Kids' Fishing Contest Nation Family Properly, 377 M66 SE ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
Fly fishing demonstrations throughout the day by Adams Chapter Trout Unlimited. Catch a tagged fish, win a prize! Loaner poles available. Sponsored by Coding Products. Dunn Construction, and Northland Area Federal Credit Union Bait donated by DMF Bait

10 AM -Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom Reptile Display and Petting Zoo. Fairgrounds (Camel rides will be available.)

9 AM - Wood Memorial Trout Run Kalkaska High School (Fun Run at 8:30 am) Brought to you by the KHS Cross Country and Track & Field programs

10 AM to 2 pm - K.A.M.P.S Fun Fly Air Show Beebe Rd, RC Air Vehicles

10 AM to 5 pm - Lions Club Craft Show Kaliseum Ice Arena

Brought to you by the Elk Rapids Lions Club, serving Antrim & Kalkaska Counties

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 8. Me Dress Up Tea Kalkaska Church of Christ. Lower Level Brought to you by the Miss Kalkaska Program; Lunch, Story Time, Craft, Photos Ops

11 AM to 1 pm - Grand Royalc 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 Wotf Golf Club, a portion of registration fees is donated to the NTF.

12 pm to close - Skerbeck Family Carnival Fairgrounds

2 pm - 87th Grand Royale Parade Downtown, Evergreen St to Cedar St to Third St Sponsored by Forest Area Federal Credit Union Immediately following the parade, the Scollville 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 Ihe Senior Center.

2 to 6 pm - Annual Pig Roast VFW Post 8684 Hall, 408 Hyde St

Vets & active military plus kids 5 and under eat free, 6 to 11- $8. 12 and older- S15

3 to 10 pm-Shady Belle
Kalkaska Senior Center, 303 S. Coral St Food and Local Entertainment, Open to all 'Please note change of venue again this year. S to 11 pm - Troutzillafest XIII Music Stage Pavilion at Railroad Square, Downtown Pree to attend, Cash Bar Brought to you byObscurrus Diem Productions 5 pm. Spring Fling Bump-n-Run S More ftrena at Fairgrounds, Gate opens at 4 pm Brought to you by Keiser Boys MotorSports Pits: $20/12. $10/4-11. Free/3 & under GA: S15M6 & older, S10/6-15 Free/ 5 & under Dusk - Fireworks Display Over the Fairgrounds Sponsored by RL Morris & Sons Brought to you by Pyrolechnlco

April 28, 2025

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
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 12 to 6 pm - Skerbeck 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

Date: April 23-27, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Kalkaska, MI

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