Bart Hawley

Wake Up! Jackson. Start your morning building meaningful connections with fellow business leaders, gaining fresh insights and staying connected to the latest developments across Jackson’s business community. This Month’s Featured Speaker: Michael Klintworth, Jackson Generals pro hockey team.  7:30 AM – 9:00 AM. Forty Nine South, 2527 Helena Ave., Jackson.  Cost: $15 Members | $25 Future Members, Annual Pass: $125 for access to all 10 events.  Register today and join us for a morning of networking, learning and community connection! Flatiron District Open House.  10 AM.  The City of Jackson and Norfolk Homes are inviting residents, community partners, and media to attend a Flatiron District Open House at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. The open house is a rescheduled event following the previously canceled groundbreaking celebration for the new housing development in the Flatiron District. The event will begin at the intersection of Greenwood Ave. and Douglas St. and will include site visits for several homes currently under construction in the new neighborhood.  The project celebrates the reinvention of one of Jackson’s historic neighborhoods and marks an important step in the continued revitalization of the Flatiron District. The Flatiron District Open House is open to the public. Halloween Nite…

First Responders Skate Night. 6 PM to 8 PM.  In celebration of National Roller Skating Month, Allskate Fun Center is honoring our amazing first responders every Wednesday in October!  October 7, 14, 21 and 28.  FREE admission for first responders and their family—up to five people!Show your service ID, everyone must enter at the same time.  Skate Rental: $5, Laser Tag: $6.  Door prizes!  Bring the family and enjoy a fun night of skating as we celebrate the dedicated firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers and other first responders who serve our community.  Allskate Fun Center, 1313 W. North St., Jackson. Nintendo Night. 5 PM.  Join us at the Eastern Branch, Jackson District Library for an evening of Nintendo Switch games! All ages and families are welcome. Consoles and games will be provided. If you have any game requests, please contact the Eastern Branch and we'll do our best to accommodate. Registration required. Astronomical Observatory Viewing Night.  9 PM to 11 PM.  Students, employees, and community members are invited to enjoy an evening of stargazing through our campus telescope! Please visit the Astronomical Observatory web page before attending to confirm the event is still taking place, as it may be canceled…

Trackside Tuesday Food Truck Rally.  11 AM to 2 PM.  Join us for Trackside Tuesday Food Truck Rallies.  On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of each month through October, enjoy a rotating lineup of local food trucks serving lunch from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the River & Rail Food Hub within the walls of the historic state prison. Grab a bite, connect with friends and coworkers, and discover new local eats. Follow the Grand River Farmers Market Facebook page each week to see which food trucks will be joining us. We look forward to seeing you at Trackside Tuesdays! Orbitform Tech Expo.  See permanent assembly solutions live. Tour the facility, meet experts & partners. Free to attend. The Orbitform Tech Expo is a free, one-day event designed for engineers, purchasing decision-makers, and manufacturing professionals looking to improve their permanent assembly process. Now in its 6th year, the Tech Expo gives you direct access to Orbitform's facility, equipment, and the experts who design and build it all.   Two sessions available: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM or 1:00 PM–4:00 PM.  Orbitform — 1600 Executive Drive, Jackson, MI 49203.  Free to attend. Tuesday TEN$. Tuesday is looking like a pretty good day…

Crafternoons at the Library.  2:30 PM to 4 PM.  All types and levels of crafters are welcome! Drop in anytime and relax with a new hobby! Supplies are available if you don’t have your own, and if you’re brand new to crafting, we’re happy to teach you!  William Atkinson Library, Jackson College Central Campus. Just Desserts.  12 PM to 1 PM.  Join the Friends of the Spring Arbor Branch for their monthly book club meeting. Call the branch for the title or come in to pick up your copy. All are welcome to attend!  Spring Arbor Branch, Jackson District Library. Wheel Thrown Ceramics Fall 2026.  5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  The Wheel Thrown Ceramics Workshop is a multiple-week class that allows potters of any level to come in and make art! No experience is necessary as in-depth demonstrations on wheel-thrown pottery will be given during classes. Class time will also be used to independently work on technique and learn methods of making utility pottery with ornate additions to them while in an environment where questions are always welcome and assistance is a few steps away.  Level of Experience: Beginner to Advanced.  Please wear appropriate clothing for working with art materials…

Friday, October 2 Grand River Farmers Market at the Downtown Pavilion. 9 AM to 2 PM.  On Fridays, you can visit the Grand River Farmer's Market at the downtown pavilion, located in the parking lot of Grand River Brewery. The Friday market is open from 9 am until 2 pm.  With familiar faces, seasonal produce, and local makers, the market is a vibrant place to shop, connect, and support our local farmers.  Grow Jackson is focused on expanding access to local food, creating year-round opportunities, and making every market visit a fun and meaningful experience for all. Jackson Antique & Collectible Show.  10 AM to 5 PM.  Thousands of treasures, one amazing weekend!  Admission $5 per person, 12 and under free.  Keeley Park, 200 West Ganson Street, Jackson.  Saturday only:  Cruising for the Cause Car Show (11 AM to 4:30 PM to benefit Shriners Children’s Hospital. The Wizard of Oz.  7 PM.  Presented by Center Stage Jackson.  There’s no place like home... and there's no place like Center Stage Jackson! Follow the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and all your favorite characters in this beloved family classic. Filled with unforgettable songs, colorful costumes, and…

Halloween Nite Lites.  Halloween 2026 Nite Lites Drive Thru & Train Rides Thru Show (approx. 2 miles). Located At Michigan International Speedway, 12626 US 12 Brooklyn.  October 1-31 (EXCEPT OCT. 24) Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays 8:00 - 10:00 PM. ADMISSION:  For the drive thru, admission is charged per car load, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle. For the train, you must purchase a ticket for each person who needs a seat. Halloween Drive Thru Entrance is O ff M-50.  $30 per car.  Event page here. The Odyssey:  An Epic Week at the Michigan Theatre. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey comes to the Michigan Theatre of Jackson for seven showings from September 25 through October 2. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, this adaptation of Homer’s legendary story stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, on his dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. SHOWTIMES:  Thursday, 10/1 at 3:00 PM, Friday, 10/2 at 2:00 PM. General Admission: $5 at the door. Doors open 30 minutes before showings.  Michigan Theatre of Jackson. National Jiffy Mix Day.  Event by JIFFY Mix, 201 W North St, Chelsea.  Celebrate National “JIFFY” Mix Day with us! Join us on Thursday, October 1…