Events of August 17, 18, and 19, 2018

August 17

Grand River Farmers Market.  The Grand River Farmers Market season goes from June 2nd until October. Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 am until 2 pm at the corner of Louis Glick & Mechanic St.  The market is full of MICHIGAN GROWN PRODUCE including fresh vegetables, fruits, organic goods, vegan cookies, muffins, granola, honey, jams, breads, pastas, jewelry, dog treats, salsas, fruit pies, sweet corn, tomatoes, hanging flower baskets, blueberries, maple syrup, chard, broccoli, peas, mums, and much more!

Jammin’ in Jackson and Family Film Nightat CP Federal City Square in Horace Blackman Park, Downtown Jackson.  Jammin’ in Jackson is featuring the music of Fortunate Greg from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” will begin at dark. The event is FREE and open to the public.   Bring a lawn chair or a blanket!  Concessions will be available.  Thank you to Experience Jackson, Alro Steel Corporation, Consumers Energy, Tripp’s Auto Shop, Jackson Anchor Initiative, CP Federal Credit Union, County National Bank, Downtown Jackson, and Michigan Theatre of Jackson for making this events possible. 

Arbor Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center invites you to an Open House to Celebrate 50 Years of serving seniors throughout the Jackson community.  5 PM to 7 PM.  Program at 6 PM.  Our annual ice cream social will take place during this event.  Enjoy delicious food, ice cream, music and celebration of this momentous occasion.  151 Second Street, Spring Arbor.

Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive.   The effort brings together four organizations: United Way of Jackson County, the Jackson Human Relations Commission, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Jackson County, and the Martin Luther King Community Center. These agencies, along with the Jackson County Intermediate School District and other sponsors, will offer a total of 20 dropbox locations across Jackson County. Some will park a school bus at their location so residents can drop off newly purchased school supplies.  Items will be distributed to students through local school districts, the upcoming Back to School Bash at the King Center, and the DHHS foster care youth program.  The bus itself will appear throughout Jackson County during the week of Aug. 13-17.  Today:  11 a.m.-1 p.m., at County National Bank, corner of Jackson and Washington St. and 1:30-5 p.m. at United Way, 536 E. Jackson Street.

Vista Grande Villa Classic Car Show.  An Alzheimers Association Fundraiser.  5 PM to 8 PM, Vista Grande Villa, 2251 Springport Road, Jackson.  Come admire classic rides, from coupes to convertibles.  Hear the Ramblers performing hits from the 50s and 60s.  Enjoy dinner, face painting and a raffle for gift baskets.  Dinner is $5, raffle tickets are 10 for $10.  Bring your lawn chair and stay for food and musical entertainment.

Jackson Coffee Company presents free entertainment with Ben Hassenger with Blue Jello/Ukulele Kings.  Longtime favorites Blue Jello will play a unique blend of clever originals and tasty covers on guitars and ukuleles. Featuring stringbender-extraordinaire Pat Malloy and Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ben Hassenger, Blue Jello will delight you with songs from the silly to the sensitive.  7 PM to 10 PM, Jackson Coffee Company, Downtown Jackson.

Arts in the Park. Village Square Acoustics performs tonight at 7 PM.  Swain Memorial Park, Brooklyn.  Free entertainment and fun for the whole family.

Treasures Abound Trunk Show, 5 PM to 8 PM.  Orange Peacock Gallery, 120 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.  Join us as we celebrate the creative talent of Pamela Mineweaser from Dragonfly Diarys. Pamela will be on site at The Orange Peacock Gallery showing her one of a kind, hand sculpted, polymer clay creations. By blending nature, beauty, and imagination she creates whimsical artwork and magical treasures.

Will at the Wall.  Come join us at The Fourth Wall in Jackson for a hometown production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This year the production has a contemporary setting with a punk rock flavor. Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated in a shipwreck, Viola falls for Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino is in love with the Countess OIivia and Olivia is in love with Viola who she mistakes for a man because she is in disguise. From there things just get crazier. Tickets are $5.  Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 2:00 pm.  Fourth Wall, 218 S. Mechanic Street.

August 18

The Childrenz Challenge is an obstacle course designed for children ages 4-13 years old and combines strength, determination, stamina, but most importantly the ability to have fun! The Childrenz Challenge course is designed for accomplishment, not punishment. The children’s challenge is fitness and fun at the Childrenz Challenge. Click Here to Register Your Children Today.  Two courses within the event.  Ages 4-8 will compete on a 1 ½ mile course.  Ages 9-13 will compete on a 2-mile course.  Michigan International Speedway, all day.

Running Between the Vines.  Join us in the naturally calming and stunning landscape of Sandhill Crane Vineyards. The half marathon will take you from the vineyard to rolling dirt back roads shaded by a tunnel of trees. Much of the course cuts through the wilderness of the Waterloo Recreation Area. The 5 Mile route (5.22 Miles) shares the beginning and end of the beautiful half marathon. The 5K is a dash out to a beautiful gated community and an uphill finish to make sure you earn that chocolate to go with your wine tasting! Tech shirts for entrants, bottle stopper finisher medals and new for 2018, stemless wine glasses for all finishers! Extra swag for Cellar Slam and Half Marathon finishers; half marathoners will also receive a full glass of wine to enjoy after their finish, in addition to their wine tasting tickets!  Details here.

2018 Jackson Pride Festival.  Parade kickoff at 11 AM, route from Consumers Energy, One Energy Plaza, along Michigan Avenue  to Jackson City Hall.  11:30 AM, rally in front of City Hall.  12 PM Festival begins at Horace Blackman Park.  Drag Pageant, music on two stages, community bands, DJ.  Kids/Family area, food vendors, exhibitors and more.  Gate fee is $10 suggested donation.

Summer Concert Series at Cascades Rotary Bandshell.  Jump Start featuring Tim Farrell will charm you with their classic rock and ballad tunes.  All concerts start at 7:00 p.m.  Free to the public.Weather Permitting.  Sponsored by Myers Family Little Caesars of Jackson and Jackson County Parks.

Will at the Wall.  Come join us at The Fourth Wall in Jackson for a hometown production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This year the production has a contemporary setting with a punk rock flavor. Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated in a shipwreck, Viola falls for Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino is in love with the Countess OIivia and Olivia is in love with Viola who she mistakes for a man because she is in disguise. From there things just get crazier. Tickets are $5.  Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 2:00 pm.  Fourth Wall, 218 S. Mechanic Street.

August 19

Back to School Bash.   The Center for Family Health is hosting events for National Health Center Week.  National Health Center Week raises awareness about the missions and accomplishments of America’s health centers.  Today, Back to School Bash at Martin Luther King Center, 1107 Adrian Street, Jackson.  12 Noon to 6 PM.

GREAT’s August Paddling Clinic.  12 Noon to 4 PM at Vandercook Lake County Park.  Learn about safety, paddling techniques, first aid and more.  Bring your own kayak or use one of GREAT’s.  Demonstrations, information displays, boat sales and more.

Church in the Park.Cascades Falls Park.  Make shorts and sandals your new “Sunday best”. Join in worship at Cascades Falls Park, north parking lot. You can worship in your car, tuning your radio to 1700, or join us on the lawn. Kids and pets welcome. 8:30 am. Sponsored by Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church.