February during DNR Free Fishing Weekend

Sponsors: Leinenkugels, WLAV, TrueNorth Community Services, Croton Bay Trading Post, American Legion, Driftwood Bar and Grille, M&J Hardware, & Hilltop Community Stores

Happenings: For the ice fisherman, the day can begin as early as sun-up, all over Croton Pond. The weigh-in will be held on the ice behind the Croton Township Campground, and there will be a DJ with updated information playing music and motivating participants throughout the day. Weigh-in for Bluegill, Crappie, Perch, Walleye, and Pike, is at 3:30pm, and the winners are determined by the length of the fish. Prizes are given out for winners, as well as the most festive participants (Think: Best Hat category!).

For those who choose socializing over fishing, there are events throughout the day both on and off the ice. Ice golf, for example, tees off at 10am, and you can register to play up until 9:30am the day of the event at the Croton Bay Trading Post. This year, the Croton American Legion, Post 381 is sponsoring a fish fry beginning at 5pm, so spectators and contestants can continue their celebrations. Leinenkugels, one of the other main sponsors of the event, will also be pouring beers throughout the evening, and raffles and games will be played all night; again, all the proceeds benefit TrueMentors!

More Details:  Dam 2 Dam Facebook page

Date: Memorial Day Weekend (May)

Sponsor: River Country Chamber of Commerce

Happenings: The Festival Steering committee strives to bring visitors the very best in handmade crafts as well as a handful of unique resale items.  With an emphasis on unique home decorations, garden and yard decor, beautiful jewelry, clothing, personalized gifts, ornaments, antiques and collectibles.  There are also many palate pleasing delights such as dips, jams, candies, breads, candied apples, cookies, popcorn, dried soup mixes, candied almonds and handmade tamales as well as the traditional carnie foods.

More Details: www.rivercountrychamber.com

Individuals and Businesses participate in “Tag-A-Fish” where they can have a fish or group of fish ‘tagged’ by the local fish hatchery for a dollar amount. These tagged fish will be released into the lake the night/early morning before the big Fishing Day. (The lake is patrolled by the DNR and local law enforcement once the fish are released until fishing time, so no cheating!) Anglers who are lucky enough to catch a tagged fish win that dollar amount!

Date: June

Sponsor: Newaygo Nationals

The Newaygo Nationals Association was created for many reasons.  Our organization’s goals are to foster, facilitate and encourage amateur participation in paddling and outdoor recreation.  Some of the ways in which we will acheive these goals is to sponsor, conduct and host national paddling and outdoor recreation events.  The Newaygo Nationals Association will also cultivate national events and sporting competitions that draw awareness and provide a benefit to the Muskegon River Valley and its watershed by promoting these events for the competitors and our surrounding community.

We look forward to improving conservation and attentiveness of the resources in our area through these goals.  Newaygo Nationals Association encourages you to participate in these goals and events with us here in our community and beyond.

Happenings: Newaygo Nationals Association in partnership with the Michigan Canoe Racing Association (“M.C.R.A.”) brings you the annual Power Paddle.  The Power Paddle takes place for 2 days each year in June. Race HQ for this Event is located at the DuChemin Park Pavilion (Croton Pond Boat Launch) at 5439 Washington Street, Newaygo MI 49337.  All participants will receive a competitor t-shirt and complimentary beer after you finish your race from the  Newaygo Brewing Co (21 and older).

Cash prizes will also be awarded and racers and their families should stick around for the awards ceremony on Sunday where a lunch provided by RiverStop Café will be provided.

More Details: www.newaygonationals.org

Date: July 21st through the 24th

Sponsor: Fremont Chamber of Commerce

Happenings: The festival features a petting zoo, kids expo, arts & crafts, baby food eating contest, musicians, clowns, turtle and fro graces, basketball tournament, NBFF Team Olympics, a parade and more!

More Details: www.fremontcommerce.com

Date: August 7th through August 13th

Sponsor: Newaygo County Agricultural Fair Association, 815 Stewart – PO Box 14, Fremont, MI 49412

Happenings: The fair features a horse show, equestrian competition, live music, tractor pull, mud run, demolition derby, draft horse pulls, dirt bike motocross, great local food and of course all of the animals that have made country fair famous! 

More Details: www.newaygocountyfair.org