The biggest yearly event in Burr Oak, The Heritage Festival, is one weekend a year when the Burr Oak Area comes together to throw a weekend long event that celebrates the history of the Village. You can find the schedule for this year’s festival below.

The Theme:

This year’s Heritage Fest theme is Living In A Small Town Can be a Circus. The theme was chosen to recognize the interesting events that can happen in a small town, and Madam Marantette historical performer for the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The Madam would become popular in Burr Oak, along with her ostrich Gaucho.

A book about the Madam and Gaucho was written by Betsy Bird, and Betsy will be doing a meet up at this year’s festival!

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, July 25, 2024:

4 PM - 8 PM : Cruise In - Cars and Trucks are invited to gather in the Front Street parking lot for a fun social time.

6PM - 8 PM : Brats & Bingo - The Community Tent on Front Street is hosting bingo and prizes with a side of  brats for all ages!

8:30 PM - 9 PM : Light Parade Line Up - Lineup for participants of this year’s light parade is at the Front Street Parking Lot.

9 PM - 9:30 PM : Light  Parade - The parade will wind through town, and meet up at the Main Street Bridge. During this time, the parade area will be closed, with parking available at the School.

9:30 PM - 10 PM : River of Fire - The kick off ceremony for this year’s festival will be held at the Main Street Bridge. With the launching of flames in memory of someone, a family celebration, or a symbol of peace. The flames will  be launched after the completion of the National Anthem.

Friday, July 26, 2024:

10 AM : Antique Tractor Country Cruise - Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful country, with registration in the Railroad Park. If you do not have a tractor, there will be wagon rides available.

11:30 AM to 12 PM : Bike-A-Thon Registration - Register for the Bike-A-Thon at the Church Park.

12 PM - 1 PM : Bike-A-Thon - The Bike-A-Thon begins in the Church Park.

1:30 PM to 3:30 PM : FREE Kids Day - Games with prizes, pony rides and more activities will be available at Burr Oak Schools.

4 PM to 4:30 PM : FREE Kiddie Duck Derby - Decorate and race a rubber duck at the river behind the school. With prizes as well!

4 PM to 7 PM : Antique Tractors & Wheat Threshing Display - View a variety of tractors from throughout the years, with a demonstration of wheat thrashing in the Railroad Park.

4 PM to 8 PM : Chicken Dinners - Support the class of 2025 as they host a chicken dinner fundraiser.

4 PM to 8 PM : A Variety of Food Vendors - Grab a bite to eat at the Front Street Parking Lot.

5 PM to 6:30 PM : FREE Spaghetti Dinner - The Missionary Church will be hosting a dinner for all looking to attend.

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM : Variety Show and Outstanding Service Award - A line up of talent that is guaranteed to provide an hour of fun in the air conditioned Lutheran Church.

8 PM to 9 PM : Contest In The Community Tent - Join the fun of a circus themed contest and win some cash. More details will be provided at a later date.

9 PM to 12 AM : “DJ Sparxx” OTG Entertainment - Ages 21 and up can come to the community tent to dance and hang with friends old and new.

Saturday, July 27, 2024:

7:30 AM to 10:30 AM : Breakfast - Fuel up for the day by attending the breakfast at the Methodist Church.

7:45 AM to 8:15 AM : Sign up for 5k Run - Sign up for the 5k run downtown.

8:30 AM to 9:30 AM : “Run Giraffe Off” 5K Run - Gather at the starting line as this year's participants take part in the 5k run.

8:35 AM to 8:50 AM - Kids’ Fun Run - The kids can run for fun in downtown

9:30 AM : Parade Lineup Begins - Parade line up starts at Boyer Field and is sponsored by the Burr Oak Mother’s Club

11 AM to 12 PM - Parade - Gather from Boyer Field to downtown as this year’s parade passes through town with loads of excitement.

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM : Meet Betsy Bird - Meet Betsy, the author of “A Long Road to the Circus” , a book that was written about a girl raised in Burr Oak that encounters Madam Marantette and her ostrich Gaucho.

All Day : Old Fashioned Farm Machinery Demonstrations - See the live displays of how old fashioned farm machinery was used in the Railroad Park.

All Day : Food Vendors - Grab a bite to eat all day with the variety of food vendors in the Rail Road Park.

12 PM : Fireman Hotdog Sale - Support the Burr Oak Fire Department as they host a hotdog fundraiser outside of the Fire Station.

12 PM to 1 PM : Register for the adult corn hole tournament -

12 PM - 4 PM : Inflatables - Kids can enjoy the variety of inflatables in the Railroad park.

1 PM to 3:30 PM : FREE Tractor Pedal Pulls - Ages 3 -15 can come to the Town Hall/Fire Station to see how far they can get the tractors in this year's tractor pedal pulls.

1 PM to 4 PM : Historical Burr Oak Tours - Enjoy a historical tour through Burr Oak starting at the Gazebo/Front Street Parking Lot.

1 PM to 5 PM : Car Demolition - Support the Burr Oak NHS Students by grabbing a sledge hammer, a bat, or golf club and swinging away.

1 PM to 5 PM : Adult Corn Hole Tourney - Several teams will compete to see who emerges victorious in this year’s cornhole tournament sponsored by Black Gold Farms.

1 PM to 5 PM : Free Children’s Rides - Children can enjoy a collection of free rides at the Railroad Park.

1 PM to 2 PM : Register for Mud Volley Ball - Registration for Mud Volleyball at the Railroad Park.

1:30 PM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 4:30 PM, and 6 PM to 6:30 PM : Blackwell’s Circus-Performer, Jay Blackwell - Visit the entertainment circle near the Community Tent to be amazed at a performance by Jay Blackwell. Including sword swallowing, magic tricks, and more for your entertainment!

2 PM to 5 PM : Mud Volleyball -Watch as several teams battle it out to see who is the best at this year's Mud Volleyball tournament.

2 PM to 5 PM: Rob Maystead - Caricature Drawings. Community Tent.

2 PM to 6 PM : Historical Walk Challenge - Register for the Heritage Walk at Prairie River Flower Company, and find historical sites around town and verify with a picture!

3 PM to 3:30 PM and 5 to 5:30 PM - “Hula Hoop Extraordinaire” Kylee Lipinkski - Watch Kylee perform acts with hula hoops that will astonish you.

4 PM to 5 PM : Junior Corn Hole Tournament Sign Up - Register for the Junior Corn Hole tournament at the Basketball Courts.

4 PM to 8 PM : Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride - View Burr Oak from above in a hot air balloon, now located at 217 Third Street.

5 PM to 6:30 PM : FREE Junior Corn Hole Tourney - Register for the Junior Corn Hole tournament at the Basketball Courts.

6:30 PM to 7 PM : Register-Port-A-Potty Pulls - Registration for both classes of the Port-A-Potty-Pulls begins on Front Street.

7 PM to 7:30 PM : Port-A-Potty Pulls(Youth) - Gather on Front Street as the youth class compete to see who is the fastest.

7:30 PM to 8 PM : Port-A-Potty Pulls (Adult) - The adults will compete to see which trio is the fastest.

8:30 PM to 9 PM : Nick May “Flames Of Dance” - Nick May returns to perform his “Flames of Dance” outside of the Community Tent.

9 PM to 12 PM : Six To One Band 21+ - (Age 21+) Come hangout in the community tent and enjoy the performance of the “Six To One Band”

9:30 PM to 10 PM : Balloon Glow - Gather at the Burr Oak School Playground to enjoy the Balloon Glow and find a spot to view the Fireworks.

10 PM to 10:30 PM : Fireworks - Enjoy the Fireworks.

Sunday, July 28, 2024:

10 AM to 11 AM : Donuts & Coffee - Come to the Church park for donuts and coffee

11 AM to 12 PM : Community Church Service - The Missionary Church will lead a service for the community, with a luncheon following the service.

Dates: July 25 - 28, 2024

Venue: Various Locations in Burr Oak, MI

Click Here for more information.