Local Events

“Something interesting is planned in the Harrison area for all four seasons. Summer is especially busy.”

February is the month for our Frost Bite Open, a golf outing on Budd Lake sponsored by the Harrison Area Chamber of Commerce. Club choices are limited and tennis balls replace the familiar golf balls. Most entrants make a day of it, dragging their lunch and beverages along behind them on decorated sleds. This event is open to everyone and very little real golfing ability is required.

A high point of Spring is Yoder's annual Amish quilt auction, held at an Amish farm in Clare. Over 200 handstitched quilts are offered for sale at prices far lower than you can find in quilt stores anywhere. Each is an Amish work of art. Most are done in contemporary colors, but you'll also find the more traditional solid-colored fabrics: turquoise, black, purple, pink, and green. Designs range from the elaborate to the simple. This is a two-day event that attracts hundreds of vendors, including arts and crafts, food, and novelty items. Lunch is served by Amish women and always includes homemade pie.

Summer is the busy season in Harrison. Most seasonal residents are back in town by Memorial Day and stay through Labor Day. These are peak months for guests to our resort town, as well.

Our 4th of July celebration begins with a parade through town that is generally quite well attended. Our celebration also includes events at the fairgrounds during the early evening hours (generally a demolition derby) and an elaborate fireworks presentation following that event. Fireworks are visible from most vantage points around Budd Lake, and many of the locals compete with the city officials by sending off their own displays. This is a "big city" fireworks event without the traffic jams.

Harrison is home to the Clare County Fair, which opens its gates for eight days in August. The Fair attracts a large crowd to its midway and events in the grandstands. Most years have brought us well-known entertainers.

The Yoders host a second Amish quilt auction in early September. This one is a little smaller than the Spring event and generally draws a somewhat smaller crowd. That means that prices for the quilts are sometimes less, too. The variety and quality remain the same. This is the best place to purchase handstitched quilts anywhere in the state.