Last updated: August 6, 2025
Thing to Do
Port Oneida Fair
NPS
Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was from the 1850's and early 1940's. Imagine the life of Euro-American immigrants as you help bale hay or watch a broom-maker at work. Learn about spinning, basket weaving, soap making, butter making, candle dipping, and fur trapping. Listen as park rangers and local historians share the area's history. Watch as teams of oxen haul hay and artists and craftsmen demonstrate their skills.
The fair is held at four of the historic sites in Port Oneida. Each farm has a variety of artists, crafts, food, and activities for visitors scroll below to see what is happening at each of them. A shuttle bus runs between the farms on a regular schedule during the fair, so you can park your car and easily get around to the different venues.
The Port Oneida Fair is presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. To learn more about how you can help support the park, visit www.phsb.org.
August 8 & 9, 2025
10 am - 4 pm
Getting around
Shuttle
Park your car at one of the two parking lots (Olsen and Dechow farms).
A free shuttle stops at each site approximately every 15 minutes.
Olsen farm address
3164 W. Harbor Hwy.
Maple City, Michigan 49664
Dechow farm address
3991 W Harbor Hwy.
Maple City, MI 49664
On foot
Walking paths connect all the farm sites.Horse and wagon
Take a horse and wagon ride between the Olsen and Dechow Farms.
Details
Activity
Cultural Demonstrations
Map alt text: This map shows the Port Oneida area within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, focusing on shuttle stops and historic farm sites along M-22. The map is oriented with north at the top, as indicated by a compass rose. The primary road, M-22, runs horizontally through the center of the map, with Port Oneida Road intersecting it and extending northeast. Additional roads, such as Miller Road and Thoreson Road, branch off the main routes, and a dotted trail marks the Bay View Trailhead to the west.
Four key sites are highlighted with green dots representing shuttle stops and farm locations. Olsen Farm is located just north of M-22 near a side road intersection and includes a shuttle stop, parking area, and accessible facilities. Directly adjacent to the north is the historic Schoolhouse, also served by the shuttle route. Further northeast along Port Oneida Road is Kelderhouse Farm, which features a shuttle stop, accessible facilities, and restrooms. South of Port Oneida Road and along M-22 is Dechow Farm, which offers parking, restrooms, accessible facilities, and a shuttle stop.
A legend in the lower left corner of the map indicates that the shuttle makes stops at Olsen Farm, Dechow Farm, the Schoolhouse, and Kelderhouse Farm. Standard icons are used throughout the map to mark available amenities such as parking, restrooms, and accessibility. Additional locations like Werner Farm and the Bay View Trailhead appear in the background in light gray, suggesting they are not part of the main shuttle loop.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pets are welcome in outdoor areas on a six-foot leash. Pets are not allowed inside historic buildings.
Activity Fee
No
Please display a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or other federal lands pass in your vehicle.
Location
Port Oneida Fair
August 8 & 9, 2025
Parking lots are availabe at:
Port Oneida Farms Heritage Center - Olsen House
Dechow Farm
A shuttle and mowed walking paths are available between sites.
Parking lots are availabe at:
Port Oneida Farms Heritage Center - Olsen House
Dechow Farm
A shuttle and mowed walking paths are available between sites.
Reservations
No
Time of Day
10 am - 4 pm Friday and Saturday
Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the fair.
Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the fair.
Accessibility Information
Parking
Parking is located at both Dechow and Olsen, both lots have handicap parking.
Shuttle
A wheelchair accessible shuttle departs from the Dechow Farm approximately every 15 minutes. This shuttle will make stops at the Kelderhouse and Burfiend Farms. Those wanting to visit the Olsen and Thoreson Farms using the accessible shuttle should speak with the National Park Service Ranger at the entrance to the Dechow Farm.
Restroom
An ADA restroom is available at the Dechow Farm.
Terrain
Fair activities take place on mostly flat terrain. The activites are set up on mowed lawns where tree roots or uneven ground may be present.
Parking is located at both Dechow and Olsen, both lots have handicap parking.
Shuttle
A wheelchair accessible shuttle departs from the Dechow Farm approximately every 15 minutes. This shuttle will make stops at the Kelderhouse and Burfiend Farms. Those wanting to visit the Olsen and Thoreson Farms using the accessible shuttle should speak with the National Park Service Ranger at the entrance to the Dechow Farm.
Restroom
An ADA restroom is available at the Dechow Farm.
Terrain
Fair activities take place on mostly flat terrain. The activites are set up on mowed lawns where tree roots or uneven ground may be present.
This is a map of the Port Oneida Fair locations. Complete alt-text is at the bottom of this page.
NPS Photo
Dechow Farm
Music:Hammered Dulcimer and other Antique Instruments - Luke Kawecki
Activities & demonstrations:Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes—Information
Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear – 2025 Poster Sales and Donation Can
Early American Michigan cricket 10-4 (Friday)
Horse and Wagon Rides, Horse teams working fields
Corn Shelling
Farm animals
Goats and Conservation Grazing
Milking Parlor tours and Calves
Donkeys
Family History with Paul Dechow
Mrs. Dechow leads tours of the Barn “The Past in Present Time”
NPS Interpretation – Natural and cultural history, education
Hand Weaving and Basket Making
Rug Weaving
Barn Quilt Artwork
Felting and Knitting
Pottery and Glass Jewelry
Pottery, Fused Glass, Maple Syrup & Honey
Hand Crafted, USDA Organic, All Natural Ingredient Soaps, Lip Balms, Body Butter
Goat Milk Soap Making (Friday only)
Handmade Crafts
Antique Bicycles
Leonard Thoreson Tractor Display
Model A Vehicle
Single Engine Motors
Wind-up musical instruments - Empire Area Museum
Internship Display
Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network
USLSS Surfmen
Food:
Schwenk’inWagon - Lunch, Saturday breakfast and lunch
Moomers’ Ice Cream
NPS Photo / A. Stotz-Ghosh
Kelderhouse Farm
Music:
Rigs & Jeels Celtic Band (Friday Noon-3)
North Bay Celtic Band (Saturday 11-4)
Activities & demonstrations:
Kelderhouse family history presented by Thomas P. Kelderhouse descendants
Postal History and Early Maps by the Leelanau Historical Society
Historic Cemetery Preservation by the Leelanau Historical Society
1931 Ford Model A by the Leelanau Historical Society
Traditional Building Skills with the NPS and Youth Work
Traditional Rope Making
Leelanau Press - Local History Books and Authors
Revitalizing the historic apple orchard and children's activities
“Stations of the Storm” hands-on activities of the U.S. Life-Saving Service
Kelderhouse Port Oneida Cemetery
Portraits of the Past
Gravestone Cleaning Demonstration - Noon and 2pm Daily
Photo by Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear
Olsen Farm
Music & Oral Histories:
Musicians and storytelling – Norm Wheeler and Pat Niemesto
Dulcimer music
Hammer’d – dulcimer group - Saturday only at 2:15 pm
Tom VanZoeren – oral history recording; his books; Port Oneida History
Life and times of a Lighthouse/Lighthouse keeper – Ken P., On the hour.
Activites & Demonstrations:
2025 Port Oneida Poster Sales & Signing
Poster signing Friday 10a-4p, Saturday 10a-12p
Olsen Barn Tours
Root Cellar
Cooking /food-ways
Bread and butter making
Vegetable and Flower Gardening
Composting
Fishing
Children’s Lawn Games – Hoops, Graces, potato spoon, burlap sack, box hockey, croquet, bean bag
Old Tyme Photography – selfies in costume in barn
Washtub demonstration
Rug Braiding
Tatting, rug hooking
Knitting & crochet
Hand quilting
Tintype
Stamping
Preservation Station - nametage making using traditional methods
Chair Caning
Hewing & notching
Food:
Cherry Republic Ice Cream
NPS Photo
Port Oneida Schoolhouse
Activities and demonstrations:
11 am - 2 pm - School Days in the one-room schoolhouse
Junior Ranger Program with Historic Toys
2025 Fair Sponsors
Platinum $1000
Moomers Ice Cream
Paul Dechow and Joanne Blum
____________________________________Gold $500
Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear
____________________________________
Silver $250
Anderson's IGA
Art’s Tavern
__________________________________
Bronze $100
Good Harbor Grill
This map shows the Port Oneida area within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, focusing on shuttle stops and historic farm sites along M-22. The map is oriented with north at the top, as indicated by a compass rose. The primary road, M-22, runs horizontally through the center of the map, with Port Oneida Road intersecting it and extending northeast. Additional roads, such as Miller Road and Thoreson Road, branch off the main routes, and a dotted trail marks the Bay View Trailhead to the west.
Four key sites are highlighted with green dots representing shuttle stops and farm locations. Olsen Farm is located just north of M-22 near a side road intersection and includes a shuttle stop, parking area, and accessible facilities. Directly adjacent to the north is the historic Schoolhouse, also served by the shuttle route. Further northeast along Port Oneida Road is Kelderhouse Farm, which features a shuttle stop, accessible facilities, and restrooms. South of Port Oneida Road and along M-22 is Dechow Farm, which offers parking, restrooms, accessible facilities, and a shuttle stop.
A legend in the lower left corner of the map indicates that the shuttle makes stops at Olsen Farm, Dechow Farm, the Schoolhouse, and Kelderhouse Farm. Standard icons are used throughout the map to mark available amenities such as parking, restrooms, and accessibility. Additional locations like Werner Farm and the Bay View Trailhead appear in the background in light gray, suggesting they are not part of the main shuttle loop.