Thrills & Delights: Ann Arbor’s Carnivals 2024

The Milan Fair is one of the first Washtenaw County fairs each year an offers a full fair experience.

Opening day Thursday includes a parade at 6p. Friday’s fair day concludes with fireworks over the lake. Pull up a blanket or chairs on Wabash St for a great view. Saturday starts with a magic show at 11a.

Milan Fair Schedule:

The Saline Rec Center is starting a new tradition in 2024 hosting the Saline Community Carnival in their south parking lot.

Skerbeck is the ride operator for the Saline Community Carnival. Wristbands are $25/person in advance.

Parking is available in the north RecCenter lot, the north Tefft Park ballfields lots, and the DAVCO parking lot south of the Rec Center. There is no parking along Woodland Drive.

Saline Community Carnival Schedule

Celebrate with the Hamburg Fun Fest. Head for the carnival rides, but stick around for some of their other activities. Check out the petting zoo. Let kids take a shot in the Youth Archery Shoot. Take on a mobile escape room or play a round of mini putt-putt.

Don’t miss the Laser Show and Fireworks at West Park on both Friday and Saturday night. Or come Saturday for the Classic & Custom Car Show.

They also have several fun shows – Laugh Magic Live, Space Adventure Thrill Show, Bubble Making Show, Live Reptile Presentation, Radio Controlled Plane Show,

Hamburg Family Fun Fest Schedule

Canton LibertyFest is a 3 day carnival. 2024 is the 31st Canton LibertyFest.

In addition to the carnival, they have a marketplace, petting farm, live music, LEGO Display, and more.

Mark your calendars for fireworks on Friday night (rain date of Saturday). Saturday starts with the Liberty Run and a pancake breakfast. Also on Saturday is Canton’s Juneteenth Celebration. There will also be music each afternoon and evening.

Carnival ride wristbands can be bought for $30 for a Thursday or $35 for Friday or Saturday – cash only on site. You can buy a $30 single day ticket valid any day online in advance with a $1.99 fee. A 3 day Mega Ride Wristband can be purchased online in advance for $80 (plus $1.99 fee). The multi-day pass cannot be bought on site. Buy your wristband now.

Canton LibertyFest Schedule

The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is an Ann Arbor tradition. It is held each June in the Pioneer High School parking lot. The Carnival includes rides, games, and food. For my daughter, the highlight of the Carnival is the rides. She has loved rides from the first time I took her to the Jaycees Carnival at 1.5 years old.

Tickets

Skerbeck returns as the ride operator for the 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival. There is a minimum purchase to enter the carnival. You have to spend $10/person or $20/family.

You can show proof of an online wristband purchase, or purchase a wristband, ride tickets, or midway bucks for food or games at the gate.

Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule

Dexter is adding a carnival to their Bicentennial Celebration! There will be rides right in downtown Dexter on both Central St & Broad St.

Check out the carnival and the rest of the celebratory fun!

Michigan Challenge Balloonfest has their 39th event in 2024. The event features hot air balloons that you can see on the ground, as they fly in, or during the Balloon Glow on Saturday night. The Festival also includes a full carnival, market place shopping, and live entertainment.

Check out our review from the 2019 Michigan Challenge Balloonfest. We attended on Saturday to watch the Balloon Glow.

There is an admission fee of $5/day or $10/weekend. The weekend admission wristband is only available Friday and is valid Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Carnival rides are an additional cost with a $30/day wristband or tickets for $1.25/each or $20/20 tickets.

Schedule your carnival visit to see the 6:30p balloon launch on Friday or Saturday and either fireworks (on Friday) or Balloon Glow (Saturday). There is also a 6:30-8aballoon launch on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Make time to take in the Arts Festival & Open Market, Entertainment, and the Family Fun Tent

Last year we were not sure if Manchester Community Fair would have rides. They did…and Anderson Midways will be bringing rides back for the 2024 fair!

The 2024 schedule is not out yet, but we will update closer to the fair. Currently, there is a demolition derby and horse show listed as events on their Facebook page. Their website still lists 2023 details beyond that.

Make plans to attend for either the children’s parade or the Fair Parade.

Head to the Chelsea Community Fair for a fun time at the carnival rides or visiting the animal exhibition barns.

The 2024 schedule is not out yet, but we will update closer to the fair. Currently, there is a demolition derby and horse show listed as events on their Facebook page. Their website still lists 2023 details beyond that.

Make plans to attend for either the children’s parade or the Fair Parade.

The Saline Fair is an annual event that brings together agricultural displays, activities and a carnival. Beyond the rides, take a walk through the barns to see the animals from baby birds to large cows. Check out the buildings for collections. Check out some of the grandstand shows like tractor pulls, Ag Olympics, auto cross derby, and more.

This year, the fair starts on Wednesday which is Saline Schools Day. The full fair runs through Sunday with just rides on Labor Day Monday.

When my daughter was younger we loved visiting for children’s day while the big kids were at school. We always had a great time. There’s a touch a truck, lots of kid-friendly activities, and special preschool only ride specials from noon-2p.

Saline Fair Schedule