Events of April 23, 24, and 25, 2021

April 23

Play Dance Paint!  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is getting ready for the premiere of Play • Dance • Paint, our newest free virtual performance, this time in collaboration with Ballet Chelsea and the Jackson School of the Arts! Tune in Friday night at 8:00 pm on the JSO website, Facebook, or YouTube page to experience choreography, music, and art from the community, as well as live commentary from Maestro Matt Aubin. We hope to see you in the comments!

April 24

Family Service and Children’s Aid 19th Annual 5K and Fun Run.  The start and finish will be at the Grand River Brewery and includes the Armory Arts Trail, Jackson High campus, the historic prison, and various streets of downtown.  The race will be chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be posted during the race and on the web at Playmakers.com.  Grand River Brewery, 117 W. Louis Glick Hwy.  Jackson.  GRB opens for brunch at 9:00am and event participants and their guests will get a 5% discount for their brunch, on the day of the event, by showing their race bib to their server.  Registration and complete information here.

Jackson YMCA Community Fun Day.  On Saturday, April Twenty-Fourth from 11 to 2, the Y is opening the downtown facility for a free event. Join the outdoor Zumba class, sign up for the Swim Lesson Open House or take advantage of one-day summer camp and membership specials. The rock wall is open, and the Y will have games and activities for the whole family.  See what the Y has to offer at Community Fun Day on April Twenty-Fourth.  Visit Jackson YMCA dot org for details.

Jackson School of the Arts Fairy Festival.  This year, the 14th Annual Fairy Festival will be on April 24! Jackson School of Arts welcomes you to a very special weekend filled with activities, crafts, and snacks inspired by child-like imagination. Boys and girls always find the Festival full of wonderment and their grown-up companions can’t help but rediscover the child inside themselves as well!  Limited reservations for a magical 2-hour experience include handful of magical activities, snacks, and a special Fairy Festival T-Shirt.  Walk through the Fairy Kingdom, Mermaid Cove, and explore the dark mountain. Meet a Fairy Princess and travel to Neverland with Captain Hook on his ship. Don’t forget to dress up!  While there has traditionally been free admission to the public, Jackson School of Arts needs to ensure that there is a controlled flow of attendance in this COVID era. However, this year’s Fairy Festival will incorporate many elements of the exclusive Gala we have put on in the past.  For one parent and one child it costs $55, while child-only tickets cost $30. Participants can sign up for two-hour, limited capacity sessions and experience the magic Jackson has to offer!  https://jacksonarts.org/events/fairy-festival/

Earth Day Celebration.  Celebrate Earth Day with us on April 24th from 1-4 pm at Sparks Foundation County Park. The event will be near the Cascades Amphitheater and the fishing pond. This is a free family event.   There will be live music by Kevin Nichols, ARK Animal Encounters, family-friendly activities and more. There are many local organizations that will be there, so mark the date and bring the family!  (We will encourage face coverings and social distancing to try and make this a safe event.)  Sponsors of the event include: Emmons Service, Little Caesars, MACI, the Jackson County Farm Bureau, Granger Waste Services, and American 1 Credit Union.

Jackson Toy Show.  American 1 Event Center, Keeley Park, 200 West Ganson.  9 AM to 3 PM.  Admission $5, children 12 and under free with adult.  Mask wearing and social distancing required.  More than 180 tables of toys and collectables.  

Jackson Con Con.  In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” Victor Frankenstein’s creation of his “creature” raises questions about scientific research and exploration. The Concatenation Convention continues its exploration of reanimation with a fascinating talk from Dr. Monique Morgan, associate professor of English at Indiana University, “The Science and the Fiction of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein,’” on April 24, 2021, at 1 p.m.  What are scientists’ responsibilities to their test subjects and to society as they pursue knowledge? Morgan will guide participates to engage with challenging questions, from weighing the potential benefits of an experiment with its potential dangers, to what it means to be human, to the nature of our responsibilities to other sentient creatures (whether of our own making, or not). This talk is sure to challenge and entertain!  All are welcome to listen and join in the conversation! Learn more at www.jxnconcon.org.  Please register for the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpcu2gqzktGdSQdQTIchnF-a0fUs5nPsHz

April 25

Spring Fling.  Downtown Jackson Retailers and Restauranteurs invite you to Spring Fling, 12 Noon to 6 PM.  Shops and restaurants will be open and feature specials, sales, samples, sip ’n shop, drawings and more!  Live entertainment and food trucks (in Blake Building parking lot, across from City Hall).  Artisan vendors, family-friendly atmosphere!  Shop, dine, visit Bright Walls and enjoy a special afternoon in Downtown Jackson!

JCCAC Bike-A-Thon.  Virtual Event.  The Jackson County Child Advocacy Center offers support services to children affected by sexual abuse. The center has outgrown its space. Proceeds from this event will help us expand our current building. With your support, we will be able to expand and improve our services for Jackson County children.   April 25– May 1, 2021  Where:  Wherever you want to ride (Walk or Run, if you like!).  $30 Individual, $60 Team (up to 5)  To Sign up or view our progress:https://jccac.dojiggy.io/bikeathon.  Text to give or sign up: Send ‘GIVE-JCCAC’ to 833-755-6550