Curwood Festival, Inc.

Curwood Festival, Inc. The Curwood Festival commemorates James Oliver Curwood and the City of Owosso’s heritage and provides a weekend of fun, relaxation, and homecoming.

Curwood Festival Mission Statement: To celebrate the life of author/conservationist, James Oliver Curwood; by organizing, promoting, and conducting family events using the efforts and resources of volunteers, businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental units to enhance the economic and community image of Curwood Country.

The 2027 Curwood Festival marks a very special milestone—our 50th Anniversary—and we’re looking for dedicated volunteers...
08/07/2026

The 2027 Curwood Festival marks a very special milestone—our 50th Anniversary—and we’re looking for dedicated volunteers to help make it one to remember.

For nearly 50 years, our community has come together to celebrate the legacy of James Oliver Curwood, whose love for storytelling, adventure, and the outdoors continues to inspire this festival. As we begin planning, we’re looking for people who want to help preserve the traditions that make Curwood so special while bringing fresh ideas to help it grow for future generations.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in your community, now is the perfect time to get involved. Help us honor our past, celebrate our present, and shape the next chapter of the Curwood Festival. We’d love to have you on our team!

To apply, email a short bio about yourself and why you’re interested in serving to [email protected]. Help us make our milestone 50th Anniversary a celebration to remember!

As we begin planning for the 50th Anniversary Curwood Festival, we’re looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals to...
08/05/2026

As we begin planning for the 50th Anniversary Curwood Festival, we’re looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals to serve on our Board of Directors.

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to have incredible board members who have helped shape the festival into what it is today. As several of those members reach their term limits, we’re looking for new leaders who are passionate about our community and ready to help guide the next chapter of the Curwood Festival.

If you want to help preserve the legacy of James Oliver Curwood, strengthen long-standing traditions, and bring fresh ideas to the table, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, email a short bio about yourself and why you’re interested in serving to [email protected]. Help us make our milestone 50th Anniversary a celebration to remember!

80 young anglers joined us for this year’s Curwood Festival Youth Fishing Derby, proving once again that some of the bes...
06/30/2026

80 young anglers joined us for this year’s Curwood Festival Youth Fishing Derby, proving once again that some of the best memories are made with a fishing pole and family and friends by your side.

As a proud catch-and-release event, the Fishing Derby honors the conservation values of James Oliver Curwood, whose love of wildlife and the outdoors continues to inspire this festival and generations of nature enthusiasts.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners, and thank you to every child and family who spent the morning along the river with us. Seeing so many smiling faces, first catches, and excited celebrations is what this tradition is all about.

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, whose generosity allows us to keep this event completely free, provide every participant with a prize, and wrap up the morning with a pizza party. We’d also like to thank our Fishing Derby Chairman, Adam Perry, and our incredible volunteers, Todd Perry, Steve Drahos, Jon Moore, and Pat Selleck. Events like this simply wouldn’t happen without the support of dedicated sponsors and volunteers who generously give back to our community and help create memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you all for making the 2026 Curwood Festival Youth Fishing Derby another wonderful success. We can’t wait to see everyone back on the river next year! 🐟❤️

Two community organizations, one shared goal, and a whole lot of community support. ❤️The Curwood Festival was proud to ...
06/30/2026

Two community organizations, one shared goal, and a whole lot of community support. ❤️

The Curwood Festival was proud to present the Friends of the Shiawassee Library with a check for over $1,100 from the 2026 Duck Race. Every ticket purchased and every volunteer who gave their time helped make this donation possible.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Duck Race and to the Friends of the Owosso Library for partnering with us. Together, we can accomplish big things for our community.

Happy Birthday to one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, our incredible Office Manager, Shelly!She’s the calm in th...
06/25/2026

Happy Birthday to one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, our incredible Office Manager, Shelly!

She’s the calm in the chaos, somehow keeping everything organized while making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Whether she’s answering questions, solving problems behind the scenes, or jumping in wherever she’s needed, she does it all with patience, kindness, and a smile.

The Curwood Festival is successful because of an amazing team of volunteers, and Shelly is at the heart of it all. So many of us rely on her, and her dedication, compassion, and quiet leadership make a difference every single day.

We hope your birthday is filled with as much joy as you bring to everyone around you. Thank you for everything you do for the festival, our volunteers, and our community. We appreciate you more than you know.

Happy Birthday, Shelly! ❤️

Today, Curwood Queen Reghan spent time visiting the residents at Memorial Healthcare Long Term Care, sharing smiles, con...
06/19/2026

Today, Curwood Queen Reghan spent time visiting the residents at Memorial Healthcare Long Term Care, sharing smiles, conversations, and a little Curwood spirit.

One of the most meaningful parts of serving as Curwood Royalty is connecting with members of our community and celebrating the generations who helped shape our community into the place we know and love today.

Thank you to the staff and residents for the warm welcome. ❤️

Today, we celebrate the birthday of one of Owosso’s most remarkable sons, James Oliver Curwood.Born on June 12, 1878, Cu...
06/12/2026

Today, we celebrate the birthday of one of Owosso’s most remarkable sons, James Oliver Curwood.

Born on June 12, 1878, Curwood became one of the most successful authors of his era, captivating readers around the world with stories of adventure, wilderness, and a deep respect for nature. Yet his greatest legacy may not be found in the pages of his books, but right here at home.

Because of James Oliver Curwood, our community is blessed with treasures that continue to inspire generations. His iconic Curwood Castle, which he left to the City of Owosso as a lasting gift to the community, still stands proudly along the banks of the Shiawassee River. His story lives on through the beautiful Curwood mural at the Amphitheater, the display of his book covers along Curwood Castle Drive, and the Heritage Bridge that welcomes visitors into Castle Park across the river he loved so dearly.

For 49 years, the Curwood Festival has carried his legacy forward, bringing our community together to celebrate the spirit of adventure, creativity, and hometown pride that Curwood embodied. What began as a tribute to a world-renowned author has become one of Owosso’s most cherished traditions.

The Curwood Festival was founded to honor that legacy. Every parade, concert, race, gathering, and family tradition that takes place during festival weekend is a reflection of the community spirit Curwood cherished and the lasting impact he left on Owosso.

As we celebrate his birthday, we remember not only the author, but also the adventurer, conservationist, dreamer, and proud Owosso native who believed in the beauty of the world around him. More than a century later, his legacy can still be seen throughout our city and felt in the traditions that continue to bring us together.

Happy Birthday, James Oliver Curwood. Thank you for the stories, the inspiration, and the legacy that still calls Owosso home. ❤️

To our Curwood Royalty, thank you for representing us so well and for making us proud every step of the way. Your kindne...
06/11/2026

To our Curwood Royalty, thank you for representing us so well and for making us proud every step of the way. Your kindness, enthusiasm, and commitment do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for all that you do. ❤️🤍❤️

🏴‍☠️ River Daze was a fantastic day on the Shiawassee River! 🏴‍☠️From creative rafts and decorated watercraft to plenty ...
06/10/2026

🏴‍☠️ River Daze was a fantastic day on the Shiawassee River! 🏴‍☠️

From creative rafts and decorated watercraft to plenty of smiles and laughter, this year’s pirate-themed River Daze was a memorable part of the Curwood Festival. It was great to see so many people enjoying the river and bringing the theme to life in their own unique ways.

River Daze is a perfect reminder of what makes our community special. Seeing families, friends, and neighbors come together to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate our beautiful river is what the Curwood Festival is all about.

A huge thank you to everyone who built a raft, paddled a kayak, floated the river, volunteered, or cheered from the shore. You helped make this year’s River Daze a wonderful success.

We can’t wait to see what creativity and fun next year brings! ❤️🤍❤️🚣‍♂️🌊

Address

212 S Washington Street
Owosso, MI
48867

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