Saturday, May 23rd Lakeside Park
9:00 AM Maifest Juried Art Fair – featuring more than 50 artists
9:00 AM Concession stand opens – brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled corn, popcorn, snacks & drinks available
9:00 AM Women’s Club stand opens – fresh cheese curds, fresh baked goods, and used books
10:30 AM Jacksonport 53rd Annual Maifest Parade – on Hwy 57 through Jacksonport
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM FREE Face Painting with Lynn (Located in the Art Fair)
12:00 PM Memorial Day presentation of the flag by V.F.W. Post 3088
- Scholarship winners and parade awards announced followed by Maypole Dance
MAIFEST FAMILY MIDWAY (in Lakeside Park)
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Inflatable activities; games and music with the Sevastopol Music, Art & Theatre Guild
PERFORMANCE TENT (In Lakeside Park)
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12:00 pm Second Hand Stereo
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1:30 pm Tally Ho Brass Band
Sunday, May 24th Lakeside Park
9:00 AM Concession stand opens – brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled corn, popcorn, snacks & drinks available
9:00 AM 42nd annual Maifest 10K Run & 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk – part of the Run the Door Race Series
9:00 AM Maifest Juried Art Fair – featuring more than 50 artists
9:30 AM Women’s Club stand opens – fresh cheese curds, fresh baked goods, and used books
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM FREE Face Painting with Lynn (Located in the Art Fair)
MAIFEST FAMILY MIDWAY (in Lakeside Park)
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Inflatable activities; games and music with the Sevastopol Music, Art & Theatre Guild
PERFORMANCE TENT (In Lakeside Park)
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11:00 am Modern Day Drifters
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Ball Park on County V
12:00 Door County 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team, Trick Roping Exhibition by Jesus Jauregui, Frontier Farmers Horse Pull
We are thrilled to welcome back the 53rd Annual Jacksonport Maifest! Bring your family out to enjoy lots of great activities, food, music, art exhibits, parade, and a beautiful sandy beach!
The Jacksonport Maifest Parade is one of our highest attended events and features floats from organizations all around Door County. The route travels along Hwy. 57 through the town of Jacksonport and begins at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 23. Parking space is limited and Hwy. 57 will be closed to traffic from 10:20 am until the conclusion of the parade so we encourage everyone to arrive early.
Exhibitors from all over the Midwest will be onsite to display custom works of art, books, seasonal foods, and family activities. Some of the attractions include:
• Handcrafted Jewelry • Kettle Korn • Ceramic Sculptures • Canvas and Wood Paintings • Mosaic and Wire Beaded Jewelry • Books
• Garden Ceramics • Hand Poured Candles & Melts • Hand Drawn Maps • Epoxy Resin Charcuterie Boards
• Tye Dye Clothing and Accessories • Honey Balms and Candles • Rocks and Gems • Repurposed Wooden Cigar Boxes
• Wool Mittens, Hats, Scarves • Dip-N-Good Dips • Hot/Cold Cherry Therapy Packs • Custom Roasted Coffee
• Handmade Soaps, Lotions, Lip Balms • Roasted Nuts • Pebblestone Planters/Animals • Freeze Dried Cherries
• Dog/Cat Toys, Treats and Beds • Local Authors • Face Painting
Jacksonport Maifest Frontier Farmers Horse Pull & 4-H Drill Team
Schedule of Events Starting At Noon (Sunday, May 24, 2026)
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Door County 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team (Directed by Faye Bley)
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Trick Roping Exhibition (Directed by Jesus “Chewy” Jauregui)
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Invocation (By Father Anthony Birdsall)
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National Anthem (By Cheryl Simon)
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Frontier Farmers Horse Pull
Horse Pull Rules
Two classifications for competitors: Lightweight – team of horses weighing under 3,500 pounds / Heavyweight – team of horses weighing over 3,500 pounds.
Each team is allowed three attempts at pulling a weight. The beginning weight on the “boat” is 2,000 pounds. This is increased in increments of 500 pounds. If a team fails its first attempt, it may make its second attempt immediately or forfeit the second attempt and return at the end of the round for the third attempt. If a team fails to pull its weight the required 27.5 feet on three attempts, it is out of the competition.
Winning teams are determined by the amount of weight pulled by the team and the distance the weight was pulled. Awards are given in each of the above classifications.
Drivers know when their teams have “had enough” and won’t push them beyond that point. The health and welfare of their horses is more important than any trophy!
Horse Pull Etiquette
The pullers appreciate an audience that holds its cheers until after the official has signaled a successful pull. To the horses, “Go!” sounds like “Whoa!” which means to stop. Please help our teams do their best by remaining silent during the pulls.
Fun Facts
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The Jacksonport Maifest record pull was 10,000 pounds in 1972
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Unlike professional pullers, these horse teams compete barefoot with no cleats for traction
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A large draft horse will eat a gallon of oats and up to 40lbs of hay per day
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The pull distance is 27.5 feet which is derived from the studies of horsepower in the early 1900's at the Iowa State University. Through many tests resulting in feeding management, the fitting of the horse, timing, and weights, they scientifically found out that when a horse pulls the distance of 27.5 feet, he loses his maximum power. In other words, 27.5 feet is the length at which a horse reaches it full “horsepower”. That is why we still use this distance at our pulls across the country today! It is an association decision on how far to pull a given load for a full pull.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
• Bley’s Grocery • Dave’s Tree Service • Glidden Lodge Beach Resort • Institute Saloon • Jilot Insurance Agency Inc • Mike’s Port Pub • Peninsula Floors LLC Carpet One • Square Rigger Lodge • Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery • The “S” Stop • Valmy Happy Hour • Watch Us Grow • Welsing’s Foodland Inc
Enjoy great live music at the Jacksonport Performance Tent in Lakeside Park!
Second Hand Stereo
Tally Ho Brass Band
Modern Day Drifters