Today in the J

Pawfectly Matched.  5 PM to 7 PM.  An adoption event where the dogs do the picking!  Think you choose your new best friend?  Think again!  We’re giving our adoptable dogs the chance to meet potential adopters and see who they naturally connect with.  Come meet our available dogs.  Let the dogs show us who they connect with.  Our staff watches for natural connections.  Find your perfect match!  Jackson County Animal Shelter, 3370 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson. Jackson County Parks Summer Challenge Final Week.  Join Jackson County Parks and Experience Jackson for the first ever Jackson County Parks Challenge! Explore your Jackson County Parks and win prizes! This challenge is an initiative to highlight some of our hidden gems throughout the park system, as well as recent additions and improvements. The Jackson County Parks Summer Challenge is your chance to explore some of the best parks in the county, discover new favorite spots, and earn prizes along the way! Complete 8 check-ins by September 7, 2026 and you'll earn an exclusive Jackson County Parks water bottle! Want an extra challenge? Finish your 8 check-ins by July 31 and you'll be entered into a drawing for FOUR Detroit Tigers tickets, courtesy of…

Grass Lake Music in the Park. At 4 PM, the Music Market kicks off the evening with vendors, farmers, food trucks and more.   Music in the Park runs from 6:30 PM to 8 PM in the pavilion.   Entertainment by the Bad Penny Band.  Grass Lake Community Events Park, 120 Brown Street, Grass Lake.  Free and fun for the whole family. JFUMC Book Club.  6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Join us for our next Book Club discussion as we dive into *The Red Tent* by Anita Diamant. Together we'll explore this powerful novel through thoughtful conversation, shared insights, and fellowship. Participants are asked to obtain their own copy of the book before the discussion. Whether you're a longtime reader or joining us for the first time, all are welcome!   Jackson First United Methodist Church, 275 W. Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson. Tech Help Drop in Hours. 3 PM to 5 PM.  Library staff will be available to assist with computers, internet use, digital resources, and basic troubleshooting to support your technology needs.  Carnegie Library, Downtown Jackson.

Trackside Tuesday Food Truck Rally.  11 AM to 2 PM.  Join us for Trackside Tuesday Food Truck Rallies this summer! 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! Tuesday TEN$.  Join us downtown for Tuesday TEN$ featuring $10 lunch specials at 18 participating Downtown Jackson restaurants. Tuesday TEN$ happens on the first Tuesday of every month, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Whether you’re on a lunch break, meeting friends, or just looking for a great mid-day meal, Tuesday TEN$ is an easy (and affordable) way to support local businesses.  Participating restaurants and featured menu items will be shared ahead of each event. Grab your friends and join us for lunch on September 1!

“Get Out” - Movies for Grownups.  7 PM • Doors 30 Minutes Before the Showing.  Get Out comes to the big screen Monday, August 31 at 7:00 PM as part of Movies for Grownups at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. When a young man visits his girlfriend’s family for the first time, what begins as an uncomfortable weekend quickly turns into something far more disturbing. Jordan Peele’s acclaimed thriller blends suspense, horror, and dark humor into a tense story about race, control, and identity. Michigan Theatre members receive a FREE medium concessions combo during Monday Movies for Grownups screenings. Plein Air Painters of Jackson County Paint-Out. 9 AM to 12 PM.  Curtis Farms, 10990 Austin Rd., Brooklyn. Contact Lisa Brown: 517-812-7057. Youth & Young Adult Financial Literacy Class. 5 PM to 6:30 PM.  Learn practical money skills, build confidence, and start planning for your future.  Presented by That Safe Place.  You will learn how to live on a budget and how to plan for the future!  TRUE Community Credit Union, 1100 Clinton Road, Jackson.  Free and open to the public.  Call or text 517-980-0496.

Friday, August 28 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. As we look ahead, 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. American 1 Summer Sale.  11 AM to 8 PM.  Over 300 vehicles to choose from!  Chance to win your first month’s payment.  American 1 Event Center at Keeley Park. Downtown Jackson Cruise Night. 5 PM to 9 PM.  Join the Jackson Downtown Development Authority for our monthly Classic Car Show featuring hundreds of the region's coolest rides.  Enjoy local food trucks and grab a drink to go within our Social District.  Grab your lawn chairs, invite your friends, and let's make the 2026 season the best one yet. JSO Summer Pops Concert.   7 PM.  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is…

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. As we look ahead, 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. American 1 Summer Sale.  11 AM to 8 PM.  Over 300 vehicles to choose from!  Chance to win your first month’s payment.  American 1 Event Center at Keeley Park. Downtown Jackson Cruise Night. 5 PM to 9 PM.  Join the Jackson Downtown Development Authority for our monthly Classic Car Show featuring hundreds of the region's coolest rides.  Enjoy local food trucks and grab a drink to go within our Social District.  Grab your lawn chairs, invite your friends, and let's make the 2026 season the best one yet. JSO Summer Pops Concert.   7 PM.  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce…

Mural Restoration & End of Summer Patio Party. 4 PM to 5:30 PM.  Celebrate summer on the JSA rooftop patio as we welcome back artist Emily Ding to restore our beloved 2019 Bright Walls Lion & Mouse Mural! Join Jackson School of the Arts for an end-of-summer celebration on our patio as we celebrate the restoration of one of our most beloved pieces of JSA: the Lion & Mouse Mural! Originally created in 2019 by artist Emily Ding as part of the Bright Walls Mural Festival, the Lion has been a colorful and familiar part of our building ever since. Now, thanks to a partnership between Jackson School of the Arts and Bright Walls, this iconic mural is getting some much-needed TLC. Even better, Emily Ding is returning to Jackson to restore her original work! We are flying Emily back to town so she can bring her mural back to life herself. Come celebrate the end of summer with us, enjoy the patio, cash bar, live music, and help us welcome back the artist behind a mural that has become part of the JSA community.  Tickets here (no tickets at the door). Art in the Park. Art in the Park…

Meijer Cinema Club.  5 PM.  The Meijer Cinema Club is screening family-friendly classics to accommodate the kiddos on summer break here in the Community Room every Wednesday night from 5 to 7:30 PM!  August 26 - Top Gun: Maverick (2022).  We encourage bringing blankets/cushions for comfort and some snacks to enjoy during the screening. We hope to see you there!  Meijer Branch, Jackson District Library. Astronomical Observatory Viewing Night.  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 due to weather conditions.  Jackson College Central Campus. Riverjack Ramblers Live at Atlas. 6 PM to 9 PM.  Bluegrass and Americana roots-styled covers and originals. Every 4th Wednesday of the month.  123 N. Main Street, Brooklyn. Pathways of Patriotism: Exploring Jackson County’s Revolutionary Roots Exhibit.  Created to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and highlight the community’s enduring commitment to the nation’s founding ideals.  Free to the public through the generous support of America250MI, the exhibit is displayed at the historic Jackson Amtrak Station, 501 E. Michigan Avenue, and will remain on view through December 2026. The Jackson train station is the oldest continually…

Food Truck Tuesday.  11 AM to 2 PM. Today is our LAST Food Truck Tuesday of the 2026 season, and we’d love to see Horace Blackman Park packed for one more Tuesday together. Here’s who’s pulling up: West Texas BBQ Melted Grill Tiki Sam's Pizza The Crazy Cowboy IceMan Concessions Junkyard Dog 2 Go Howdy Doodles Ice Cream Coach Travelin' Tom's Coffee of Jackson Tuesday, August 25 11 AM to 2 PM Horace Blackman Park, Downtown Jackson We’ve been doing this since 2018, and the best part has always been the people who choose to spend their lunch break with us. So let’s finish summer right. And a big thank you to Emmons Service, Inc. for helping us keep the park clean all season long. See you downtown, Jackson.   Tech Help Tuesdays. Need help with your phone, tablet, laptop, or other tech device? Join us every Tuesday from 1–3 PM at the Jackson District Library’s Brooklyn Branch conference room for Tech Help Tuesdays! Bring your device and your questions—our staff is here to assist with troubleshooting, setup, and basic tech support. No appointment needed!  Brooklyn Branch, Jackson District Library. Pathways of Patriotism: Exploring Jackson County’s Revolutionary Roots Exhibit.  Created…

Get Creative at Art Time:  Collage Art Day.  1 PM to 3 PM.  The community is invited to a fun and creative afternoon at Art Time on Monday, August 24, at 1:00 PM. Participants will explore the art of collage, using a variety of materials to design and create their own unique works of art. This hands-on program is open to all skill levels and offers a relaxing space to experiment with color, texture, and composition while connecting with others. All materials will be provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own magazines, photos, or decorative papers to personalize their projects. This free event is open to the public. Come enjoy an afternoon of creativity and self-expression—no experience necessary!  Concord Branch, Jackson District Library. “The Birds” - Movies for Grownups. Doors: 6:30 PM.  Showtime: 7:00 PM.  Admission: $5 at the door.  Experience Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller The Birds on the big screen at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. When a wealthy socialite follows a potential romantic interest to a small California town, a series of increasingly violent and unexplained bird attacks throws the community into chaos. Michigan Theatre members receive a free medium concessions combo during Monday Movies for Grownups…