We are thrilled to welcome back the 50th Annual Jacksonport Maifest! Bring your family out to enjoy lots of great activities, food, music, art exhibits, fireworks, and a parade. New this year is an expanded park area to the south including additional beach access, additional parking, and a wonderful new bathroom facility.
SATURDAY MAY 27th LAKESIDE PARK
Scholarship winners and parade awards announced followed by Maypole Dance
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Inflatable activities; games and music with the Sevastopol Music, Art & Theatre Guild
SUNDAY MAY 28th LAKESIDE PARK
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM Inflatable activities; games and music with the Sevastopol Music, Art & Theatre Guild
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Modern Day Drifters
12:00 Door County 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team, Trick Roping Exhibition by Jesus Jauregui, Frontier Farmers Horse Pull
Both the 10k and 2-mile races start and finish at Lakeside Park located on beautiful Lake Michigan. With a quick and scenic course, this race is perfect for the competitive runner as well as walkers, leisurely joggers, families, and kids. The 10k race treks along Lake Shore Rd to the turnaround point at the waters of Clark Lake and returns along N Cave Point Dr. The 2-mile event is an out and back course along Highway 57 and Lake Shore Rd.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
• Door County Medical Center • In Memory of Mike and Bill Antholine • In Memory of Ronald G. Kapolnek • Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery • Northern Door Sports and Recreation • Mr. G’s Logan Creek Grille • Peninsula Kayak Company • Square Rigger Lodge • Nicole National Bank • Staudenmaier Chiropractic • Main Street Market • Door County Dental Care • Kick Ash Products • The Hitching Post Bar & Grill • Maple Grove Farm • The Rushes • Island Fever Rum Bar and Grill
The Jacksonport Maifest Parade is one of our highest attended events and features floats from organziations all around Door County. The route travels along Hwy. 57 through the town of Jacksonport and begins at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 27. 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 28, 2023)
- Door County 4-H Horse and Pony Drill Team (Directed by Faye Bey)
- Trick Roping Exhibition (Directed by Jesus “Chewy” Jauregui)
- Invocation (By Father Anthony Birdsall)
- National Anthem (By Cheryl Simon)
- 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.
Interesting Horse Pull Facts
The Jacksonport Maifest Record Pull was 10,000 pounds in 1972
Unlike professional pullers, these horse teams you see today compete barefoot with no cleats for traction.
One of these large draft horses will eat a gallon of oats and up to 40lbs of hay per day.
Why 27.5 feet? It 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 the 27.5 feet 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!
