Today in the J

Nutrition HealthWise. 10 AM to 11:30 AM.  How does nutrition affect health and wellness? Jackson College’s dental hygiene students are hosting a special event to share their nutrition knowledge with the community. Join us for this free and engaging event. Community members welcome. To be held in the Medical Simulation Center inside Justin Whiting Hall, Jackson College Central Campus. Nature’s Nightlife.  2:30 PM.  Find out what happens after the sun goes down in this exciting exploration into the world of nocturnal animals!  Napoleon Branch: July 27, 2:30 PM.  Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/5wb9p3hd ABOUT THIS PROGRAM:  Meet different live animals and learn why they choose to work in the dark and how they are adapted for life at night. Presented by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Leslie Science and Nature Center.  This event is part of Summer Discover. Learn more at https://myjdl.com/explore/summer-discover

Friday, July 24 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. 161st Anniversary Concert. The Second Missionary Baptist Church Celestial Voices Choir presents a 161st Anniversary Concert - A Tribute to the Maestro Richard Smallwood. The Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC), located at 304 East Prospect Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203, will present an Anniversary Concert at 7:00pm on Friday, July 24, 2026. The concert—A Tribute to the Maestro Richard Smallwood, features the SMBC Celestial Voices Choir. This event commemorates the Second Missionary Baptist Church's 161st Anniversary. The concert is free and open to the public. Rev. Darius L. Williams, Sr. is the pastor.  304 East Prospect Street, Jackson.  Free and…

Back to School Blast Community Resource Fair. 3 PM to 7 PM.  Join us on July 23, 2026 for a day filled with school supplies, community connections, helpful resources, food, games and lots of smiles as we get ready for a brand-new school year together. July 23, 2026, 3-7pm.  American 1 Event Center, Keeley Park, 128 W Ganson St, Jackson.  Bring the whole family (children must be accompanied by adult).  Presented by First United Methodist Church, sponsors and partners. $1 Kids Movie Series:  The Wild Robot.  Join us at the Michigan Theatre for The Wild Robot as part of our Summer Kids Movie Series, sponsored by Kiwanis & Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. After a shipwreck leaves a robot named Roz stranded on a wild island, she must learn to survive in a world full of animals, nature and unexpected challenges. Along the way, Roz forms unlikely friendships and discovers what it means to care for others. A heartfelt, family-friendly movie about kindness, connection and finding where you belong.  Admission is just $1.  Showtimes: 11 AM and 2 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.   Doors open 30 minutes before each showing.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson. The HBA’s Car Show and Family Fun Night. …

Cascades Family Night.  Make your Wednesdays the highlight of the week with our Family Nights!  Bring the whole crew out for a night of fun — and take advantage of our special $15 family rate for groups of up to 8. Enjoy extended Splash Pad hours, live music, character appearances, and plenty of activities to keep everyone smiling. Each week brings a brand‑new theme, so there’s always something fresh to look forward to. Stay tuned — you won’t want to miss what’s coming. And when the evening winds down, gather together and end the night with the Grand Light Show at the Cascade Falls. It’s the perfect mid‑week magic. July 22- LILO & STITCH NIGHT with Live Music by Electric Flower Co.  Admission $15 for family (up to 8 members). $1 Kids Movie Series:  The Wild Robot.  Join us at the Michigan Theatre for The Wild Robot as part of our Summer Kids Movie Series, sponsored by Kiwanis & Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. After a shipwreck leaves a robot named Roz stranded on a wild island, she must learn to survive in a world full of animals, nature and unexpected challenges. Along the way, Roz forms unlikely friendships and discovers what it means…

$1 Kids Movie Series:  The Wild Robot.  Join us at the Michigan Theatre for The Wild Robot as part of our Summer Kids Movie Series, sponsored by Kiwanis & Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. After a shipwreck leaves a robot named Roz stranded on a wild island, she must learn to survive in a world full of animals, nature and unexpected challenges. Along the way, Roz forms unlikely friendships and discovers what it means to care for others. A heartfelt, family-friendly movie about kindness, connection and finding where you belong.  Admission is just $1.  Showtimes: 11 AM and 2 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.   Doors open 30 minutes before each showing.  Michigan Theatre, 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…

Hope Kitchen Community Intro. Hi Friends - at long last....Hope Kitchen is ready to launch! Please join us on Monday, July 20 to learn more about our mission, whom we aim to serve, and how we'll do that. We can't wait to meet you!  Register here.  Oak + Iron, 151 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson. Dine to Donate for Imagine Center Farm.  We have TWO Texas Roadhouse Dine to Donate events happening on the SAME DAY! On Monday, July 20, you can enjoy an incredible meal while helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build meaningful lives through Imagine Center Farm. Jackson Location:  3:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 1051 Boardman Rd. Jackson.  Ann Arbor Location 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM, 3133 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor. Here’s how easy it is: Dine in or order to-go. Present the fundraiser flyer. Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of your food purchase back to Imagine Center Farm. Every meal purchased helps support vocational training, skills building, transportation access, and meaningful community opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Friday, July 17 43rd Annual Hot Air Jubilee.  The morning launch, Wake Up Jackson Flight at 7 AM.  Festival grounds open at Ella Sharp Park at 3 PM.  Today’s events include Family Fun Zone, helicopter rides, food vendors, vendor village, education tent, HAJ merchandise tent, Jeeps at the Jubilee, evening launch and night glow.  Complete event schedule and details here and here. 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. Alice in Wonderland. The Sauk, Hillsdale County's community theatre, presents ALICE IN WONDERLAND outdoors in Jonesville's Wright Street Park for eight performances, July 17-19. Told with only two actors, this adaptation of the classic story is perfect for the whole…

CANCELED - AIR QUALITY.  Ella Sharp Museum Patio Party Series.  5 PM to 8 PM.  Are you ready to Party? Ella's 2nd Patio Party of the season is THIS THURSDAY! Grab your friends and family for a summer night spent right at Ella Sharp Museum!Ella Sharp Museum - Farmlane Block Party.  Admission: Members: $10, Non-Members: $25, Kids 10 and under: Free.  Groups of 6 or more: 10% off  Get your tickets now on our website at: https://ellasharpmuseum.org/classes.../ellas-patio-party/  Entertainment by the Music Factory 517 and food by Tiki Sam’s Pizza. Food Truck Festival. 4 PM to 8 PM.  Please come out to Keeley Park at the American 1 Event Center to enjoy some amazing food trucks and community fun! Presented by Jackson County Parks.  Theme:  “Back to 2016”.  Yard games, food and drink, entertainment and more! Mayoral Candidate Forum.  6 PM.  Hosted by the Jackson County Branch NAACP.  Join us to find out more about the candidates running for Mayor of Jackson.  Make your voice heard!  Light refreshments will be served.  Martin L. King, Jr. Center, 1107 Adrian Street, Jackson. Women's National Balloon Championship. More than fifteen female pilots across the country will converge on Jackson to vie for the title…

Women's National Balloon Championship. More than fifteen female pilots across the country will converge on Jackson to vie for the title of the 2025 National Champion and potentially secure a spot to represent Team USA in the 2027 Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championships.  Competitive ballooning puts pilots to the test in distance, speed, and navigational precision. Each flight entails various competitive tasks, requiring pilots to skillfully utilize winds at different altitudes to guide their balloons to specific targets around Jackson.  Pilots will be competing all throughout Jackson County, various locations and various times, watch the sky! Pilots receive their starting locations around Jackson each morning of the competition and locations are not publicized. Flights are weather permitting, July 13-18, 2026. “Captain Underpants:  The First Epic Movie”.  $1 Kids Movie Series at the Michigan Theatre.  $1 Admission • July 14–16 • Showings at 11 AM & 2 PM • Doors 30 Minutes Before Each Showing.  Join us at the Michigan Theatre for Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie as part of our Summer Kids Movie Series, sponsored by Kiwanis & Southern Michigan Bank and Trust. Best friends George and Harold love making comics and pulling pranks, but things get wildly out of hand…

Food Truck Tuesday.  11 AM to 2 PM.  Downtown Jackson, lunch is back in the park. Join JAFTA on Tuesday, July 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM at Horace Blackman Park for another round of local food trucks, sweets, coffee, cold treats, and summer lunch energy right in the heart of downtown. This week’s lineup: PB&J’s BBQ, Shorties Sweets Eats and Treats, The Great American Food Truck, M & M Heavenly Foods, FFF Food Truck, Triple E's Eatery, JYD, Howdy Doodles Ice Cream Coach, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee.  Food Truck Tuesdays have been part of downtown Jackson summers since 2018, and every event is built by the people who show up, grab lunch, support local, and keep downtown moving. Big thanks to @Emmons Service for helping keep the park clean and ready for the community. Come hungry. Bring your people. We’ll see you downtown. Women's National Balloon Championship. More than fifteen female pilots across the country will converge on Jackson to vie for the title of the 2025 National Champion and potentially secure a spot to represent Team USA in the 2027 Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championships.  Competitive ballooning puts pilots to the test in distance, speed, and navigational…