Trout Festival brings full schedule of events to town

KALKASKA – There will be something for everyone at this year’s 83rd National Trout Festival, scheduled for April 25-28 in Kalkaska. The schedule boasts parades, bump-n-run derbies, car shows, live music, flea markets, a carnival, and more.

The festivities kick off on Thursday, April 25 with Opening Ceremonies at 6 p.m. Instead of taking place at the Civic Center on Wednesday as scheduled last year, the ceremony will take place downtown at the Trout Memorial on Thursday.

During the Opening Ceremonies, the Trout King and Queen will be crowned, the Kalkaska High School Jazz Band will perform, and Grand Marshall Fred Perrin will be recognized as the original artist of the Trout Memorial.

Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies is Trout-Tastic, featuring food and live music at Railroad Square. Food will be provided by Trout Town Tavern & Eatery, B.C. Pizza, and the Kal-Ho, and there will also be a cash bar.

Skerbeck’s Carnival will be operating at the fairgrounds during the entire festival. On Thursday, April 25 it will be open 4-10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday the hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Sunday, the hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be a flea market at the fairgrounds.

Saturday boasts a 5K/10K race and a 1-mile fun run, the big parade, a derby, and more. The annual Rotary Wood Memorial Run begins at 10:10 a.m. from the VFW Hall. An art display will be raising money for the Kalkaska Animal Shelter from noon to 5 p.m. at Capture Me Photography on main (Cedar) street.

Cedar Street will be closed to traffic for the Grand Royale Parade which begins at 2 p.m. The parade will be immediately followed by a special performance by the Grand Traverse Drum and Pipe Band and the Scottville Clown Band at Railroad Square. Nearby at the VFW Hall, the annual Pig Roast will be filling plates from 2-6 p.m.

The fun continues at the fairgrounds in the Grandstands Arena, where the Spring Fling Bump-n-Run – hosted by the Kalkaska County Agricultural Fair – begins at 6 p.m. Gate admission is $10 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under, and free for those 5 and younger.

Saturday may end with a fireworks display over the fairgrounds at dusk, but the National Trout Festival continues into Sunday.

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