About the MFEA

The Michigan Festivals and Events Association is a statewide non-profit organization serving communities, events, festivals, fairs, businesses and volunteers throughout Michigan. We promote Festivals, Events, Tourism, Government Related Agencies, Main Attractions, Year-Round Fun Spots, Seasonal Fun Spots, Lodging, Students, and Vendors catering to Festivals and Events and provide technical assistance, training, and education.

Ideas Shared. Visions Formed. A New Level.

Our Mission:

To support and promote festivals, fairs, events, attractions, suppliers, and tourism through education, marketing, and networking for the success of our members.

We ourselves are not a festival, fair, or event organizer.

Our marketing efforts that promote our Members includes our website, our quarterly magazine, monthly newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) and our YouTube channel.

We have a partnership with the Pure Michigan, Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions, the Tourism Industry Coalition Of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan.

  • We publish a yearly magazine highlighting the festivals, fairs, and events throughout the entire state.

  • We have the largest state festivals, fairs, events, and destinations association in the nation.
  • MichiganFun® is a registered trademark of Michigan Festivals & Events Association.
  • Our website averages over 20k page views monthly.

  • #1 SEO for Google searches for Michigan Festivals

  • Party @ MI Place™ is Michigan Festivals & Events Association’s Trademark tagline.

  • We are the voice of festivals, fairs, and events when it comes to local, county, and state government.

Make a Difference. Enhance Your Skills. Be a Member.

To become a volunteer or learn more about the Michigan Festivals Events Association governance structure, please contact the MFEA office.

Our People

Volunteers play important roles in our festivals and events – and in our Association, too. The governance structure of Michigan Festivals Events Association encourages volunteers to assist in the development of our strategic goals.

  • Bob Skerbeck: Chairman – Skerbeck Family Carnival
  • Kathy Reynolds: Co-Chair – Alger County Chamber (Pictured Rock Days)
  • Leesa Paul: Treasure – Cary and Paul Group
  • Susan Mesack: Secretary – Swartz Creek Hometown Days
  • Lisa M. Thomas: Bay Rama, Inc.
  • Linda Kelly: Independent Festival Consultant
  • Henry Bowman: City of St. Clair Shores
  • Ken Mattei: Gaylord Alpine Festival
  • Peggy Anderson: Anderson Midways
  • Rod Beach: Beach Concessions
  • Jerry Preston: Back to the Bricks
  • Kat Paye: Natioanl Cherry Festival
  • Christy Trammell: Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Sarah Spoonholtz: Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber
  • Amber Rood: Daily News/View Newspaper Group
  • Ryan Strayhorn: ACP Entertainment
  • Steph Castelein: Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau
  • Paul Howland: Special Assistant – Travel Michigan
  • John Schut: Executive Director – Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions
  • Chris Holman: CEO – Michigan Business Network
  • John Schut: Executive Director – Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions
  • Gary McDowell: Director – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
  • Alison Watson: Executive Director – Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs