Elk Rapids Harbor Days

Sand Sculpture Contest
2026-08-08 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Veterans Memorial Park, 410 River St, Elk Rapids, MI, 49629, United States
Registration is from noon to 2 p.m., and sand sculpture building takes place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Put your creativity to the test in our Sand Sculpture Contest at Veterans Memorial Park! Rally your friends and family and build your best beach masterpiece.

Arnold Amusements Carnival, Sponsored and presented by the Elk Rapids Lions Club
2026-08-08 12:00 - 23:30 | Cedar Street Parking Lot
Get ready for thrills, laughs and family fun with Arnold Amusements at Elk Rapids Harbor Days! Enjoy exciting carnival rides, classic midway games and tasty fair treats along the beautiful waterfront. Bring the whole family and make unforgettable Harbor Days memories at the carnival!
Tickets are available in advance and come in packs of 20 tickets for $15. Beginning in early July, you can purchase tickets from the Village Market, Corner Drugs, Alden State Bank, Blarney Castle Oil Co., Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the DAM Shop and Shorts Brewing Company’s Pull Barn Tap Room & Production Brewery.
Please note the carnival is not managed by Elk Rapids Harbor Days staff; please contact Arnold Amusements directly at https://arnoldamusementsinc.com/contact-us for questions regarding the carnival.

Paddlebuoy Race
2026-08-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Elk River, US-31 bridge, Elk Rapids, MI, 49629, United States
The Paddlebuoy Race is a family-friendly event held on Elk Lake. Boards, paddles and life vests will be provided, and medals will be awarded in the top categories, including Youth Doubles (12 and under), Girls and Boys (15 and under) and Adults. Registration is on Elk River at the east side of the US 31 bridge.

Inland Seas Discovery Tour
2026-08-08 13:00 - 16:30 | Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor, 129 N. Cedar St, Elk Rapids, 49629, United States
Set sail aboard a tall ship schooner with the Inland Seas Education Association during Elk Rapids Harbor Days! This Discovery Tour, sponsored by the Downtown Elk Rapids Association, aims to inspire curiosity and care for the Great Lakes through hands-on education, helping protect them for future generations.
The morning Discovery Tour departs at 1:30 p.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. Capacity is limited to 32 passengers, so reserve your spot early for this unique adventure. Please arrive by 1 p.m. at Slip #2, adjacent to the launch ramp in the lower harbor, for boarding.
Learn more and register.

Cornhole Tournament
2026-08-08 13:00 - 17:00 | The DAM Shop, 118 Bridge St., Elk Rapids, 49629, United States
Grab a partner and join the fun at the Elk Rapids Harbor Days Cornhole Tournament! Teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket for a chance to take home first-, second- or third-place honors. Registration begins at 1 p.m., with bags flying at 2 p.m. The entry fee is $30 per team (cash only). Players are welcome to bring their own bags, provided they meet regulation standards.

Dunk the Sheriff
2026-08-08 13:30 - 17:00 | River Street and Cedar Street
Take your shot at dunking the Antrim County Sheriff or a deputy while supporting a great cause! Join the Antrim County Sheriff’s Victim Services Unit after the Elk Rapids Harbor Days Grande Parade for this fun, family-friendly fundraiser.
All proceeds benefit the Victim Services Unit and the important work it does within our community.

$100,000 Hole-In-One Contest Final Round
2026-08-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Elk Rapids Golf Club, 724 Ames St, Elk Rapids, 49629, United States
The stakes are high at the Elk Rapids Harbor Days $100,000 Hole-In-One Contest Final Round! Qualifiers will take their shot at the grand prize in an exciting showdown filled with anticipation, big swings and the chance to make Harbor Days history. Come cheer on the finalists and see if someone can sink the shot worth $100,000.

Boat Lighting Contest and Dinghy Parade, Presented by the Elk Rapids Yacht Club
2026-08-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor, 129 N. Cedar St, Elk Rapids, 49629, United States
Experience a dazzling evening at the Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor as the Elk Rapids Yacht Club presents the Boat Lighting Contest and Dinghy Parade. Watch as creatively illuminated boats fill the harbor, turning the bayfront into a glowing showcase and one of the highlights of Elk Rapids Harbor Days.

Zambelli Fireworks
2026-08-08 22:00 - 22:30 | Downtown Elk Rapids, Elk Rapids, MI, 49629, United States
End your Elk Rapids Harbor Days celebration with a bang! The Zambelli Fireworks display is an unforgettable night sky spectacular, lighting up Elk Rapids with color, excitement and pure summer magic. Fireworks can be viewed all along the shoreline; however, the Dam Beach serves as the staging area and is off-limits to spectators.

Community Breakfast, Hosted by AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary
2026-08-09 08:30 - 12:00 | AMVETS Post 114, 410 Bridge St, Elk Rapids, 49629, United States
Join the Ladies Auxiliary Post 114 Elk Rapids AMVETS for a delicious breakfast buffet! Open to the public, the buffet includes eggs, pancakes, sausage, ham, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. Bloody Marys and mimosas will also be available.
Adults: $13Children (10 & under): $5
Cash and credit cards accepted.

Community Cleanup
2026-08-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Downtown Elk Rapids, Elk Rapids, MI, 49629, United States
Help bring Elk Rapids Harbor Days to a close by joining the Community Cleanup. Volunteers will work together to clean up the bayfront, parks and public spaces after the festivities, restoring them for everyone to enjoy. It’s a simple, rewarding way to pitch in, enjoy the outdoors and keep Elk Rapids looking beautiful.
