Events of August 14, 15, and 16, 2026

Friday, August 14

Workers Memorial Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. 12 PM. The City of Jackson is inviting residents to celebrate the completion of improvements at Workers Memorial Park during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Friday, August 14, 2026. The ceremony will take place at Workers Memorial Park, 701 S. Martin Luther King Drive, and will recognize the community organizations that helped transform the park into an invitingneighborhood gathering space. The completed improvements include a new playground, an  upgraded basketball court and a new pavilion. The project was made possible through collaboration between the City of Jackson and several community partners. The Kiwanis Club of Jackson supported improvements to the basketball court and rims. Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust, commonly known as ALPACT, helped replace and rebuild the playground equipment. Participants in the Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute’s Access for All program also provided hands-on assistance with construction of the pavilion. The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.

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.

Jackson County Fair.  Gates open at 11 AM.  Rides open at 2 PM.    Grandstand Show, 7 PM:  Wolverine Truck/Tractor Pulls. Schedule and details here.  Keeley Park, Downtown Jackson.

2026 Textile Exhibit. Presented by the Albion Arts Center.  Doors open 11 AM to 2 PM.  Exhibit runs through August 29th with showings on Thursday and Fridays from 4 to 7 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM.  Located at 107 East Cass Street, Albion.

Saturday, August 15

Grand River Farmers Market at River & Rail. 9 AM to 2 PM.  The Grand River Farmer’s Market is now open on Saturdays from 9 am until 2 pm at the NEW River & Rail Farm Stop, at 137 W. North St., Jackson, MI 49202 (located inside the walls of the Historic State Prison near Art 634). Plenty of parking! Entertainment and multiple vendors.  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.

Carnegie Library 120th Anniversary Open House. 10 AM to 4 PM.  The Carnegie Library building in downtown Jackson is receiving statewide recognition and national support for its 120th anniversary celebration and open house, earning approval from State of Michigan officials for a historical designation and receiving a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Currently, the downtown Jackson library is one of 29 buildings and locations in Jackson County listed under the National Register of Historic Places, earning that designation in 1980. However, the building had yet to earn a state designation, until now. The free community event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the library, 244 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Jackson. The celebration will feature remarks from local elected officials, community leaders, and library representatives, along with refreshments and opportunities for visitors to learn more about the building’s history and legacy.

Jackson County Fair.  Final Day!  Kids Day.  Gates open at 11 AM.  Rides open at 2 PM.    Grandstand Show, 7 PM:  TNT Demo Derby.  Schedule and details here.  Keeley Park, Downtown Jackson.

Gun Buyback Event.  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is hosting a gun buyback event with Disarmory Ministries on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event takes place behind the church off Wesley Street (309 S. Jackson St.), offering Kroger gift cards ranging from $100 up to $300 per donor for turning in handguns, long guns, and assault rifles.

Young Entrepreneur’s Day.  Get Ready for YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR’S DAY at Lowry’s Little Flock Farm, Saturday, August 15th starting at 10:00am.  Located at 12201 Sutfin Road in Horton, Young people in 90 booths will be selling their creations…from jewelry to woodwork to floral creations.  Bring your loose change and cash for the vendors!  And while you are there visit Lowry’s sweet little rescue farm!  Fun for the whole family and they can’t wait to see you there!’ Lowryslittleflockfarm.com

Monster Box Comedy Improv Show. 7:30 pm. (Doors Open at 6:30 for drinks and food) Are you ready for a great evening out? Get your tickets NOW for our next big Comedy Show at the Bone Island Events Center. Enjoy reserved seats in our private room, a dedicated bar, custom menu, and table service for food and drinks. There is an attached beer garden if a break is desired, and the adjacent, full-service bar will be open before and after the show, until 2:00 a.m. If you want to meet the cast, they will be staying late to hang-out with you and have some fun. Tickets are limited so don’t delay.  Bone Island Events Center, 4620 Francis St. Jackson MI 49203 (Vandercook Lake).  Tickets here.

Sunday, August 16

Hanover-Horton Show & Shine Extravaganza. 9 AM to 1 PM. Village of Hanover, Michigan invites you to Show & Shine.  Main Street, Hanover. Come see the cars on display on Sunday, Aug 16th (starting at 9 am).  Registration at 8 am.  Car Show, Craft Show, Food Truck.  Calling all car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts!  Join us for an unforgettable experience at the 4th Annual Car & Craft Show.  Net proceeds benefit the maintenance of Perrine Park in Hanover.

Out Walk Hunger Fun Walk. Check in at 12 Noon, walk starts at 12:30 PM.  Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1505 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.  Un-timed family-friendly walking routes (marking half-mile, three-quarter mile, and 1-mile options).  Register the day of the race.  The Outwalk Hunger 5th Annual Fun Walk is raising funds for the Immanuel Lutheran Church Food Pantry, with a goal of raising $10,000 to support local families in need. The walk heads to the Cascades and back, followed by hot dogs and ice cream. Registration is $20 per walker, with additional fundraising opportunities available.  Learn more or register here: https://www.immanueljackson.org/outwalkhunger5k

Promise Church Palooza.  3 PM to 5 PM.  A community celebration of faith, friendship and fun!  Join us for an afternoon of worship, read food, live music, fun games, and community.  Everyone is welcome, come as you are.  Free event!  3737 Clinton Road, Jackson.  Bring your family and friends!  Experience the joy of Promise Church, then come back any Sunday at 3 PM.  Promise Church, a church for adults with special needs.

Moonlight – Free AARP Screening. 3 PM.  Join AARP for a FREE screening of the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight follows a young man through three defining chapters of his life—from childhood to adolescence and adulthood—as he searches for identity, belonging and connection while growing up in Miami. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. REGISTER HERE: AARP REGISTRATION LINK  Please note: Registration is completed through AARP and is required to attend this screening.  Rated R | Runtime: Approximately 1 hour, 51 minutes.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

AWESTRUCK – Free Live Screening. 7 PM.  Join award-winning magician and Michigan own Daniel Martin for a special screening of his first full-length Amazon Prime magic special, AWESTRUCK..  Experience the special on the big screen at The Michigan Theatre of Jackson on Sunday, August 16 at 7:00 PM, followed by a brief live Q&A with Daniel. Admission is free, but tickets are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited, so reserve yours before they disappear.  The Michigan Theatre of Jackson.  Free admission. Ticket required, available here.  Daniel has spent years entertaining audiences around the world at major theaters, Fortune 100 events, and on television. His work has been featured on Netflix, Disney+, Discovery, and TED—but AWESTRUCK marks an exciting first: his very own full-length streaming magic special.

Swingin’ at the Shell Summer Concert Series.  6 PM.    For more than two decades, the Swingin’ at the Shell concert series has brought families, friends, and music lovers together at Albion’s historic Victory Park Bandshell. What began as a community initiative supported by Caster Concepts has grown into one of Southern Michigan’s longest-running free outdoor concert traditions. Tonight, Family Tradition Band *Country Favorites*. All performances begin at **6:00 p.m.** at the historic **Victory Park Bandshell**, Veterans Way, Albion, Michigan.  Free!  Bring a lawn chair!

Concord Farmers Market. Sundays, 11am-2pm, June – October.  Gottschalk Park, 420 Homer Rd, Concord.  The Concord Farmers’ Market exists to cultivate community, support local growers and makers, and increase access to fresh food and meaningful goods.