Events of August 21, 22, and 23, 2026

Friday, August 21

Grand River Farmers Market at the Downtown Pavilion. 9 AM to 2 PM.  On Fridays, you can visit the Grand River Farmers 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.

Movie Night at the Falls.  9:15 PM.  Join us for a magical Movie Night at the Cascades Falls! Grab your family, friends, blankets, and lawn chairs, and join us on Friday, August 21st for a community movie night featuring Shrek! Come enjoy a fun evening under the stars as we laugh along with everyone’s favorite ogre. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer night with the community!

Robert Rolfe Feddersen Live at Ogma. Join Robert Rolfe Feddersen LIVE at OGMA BREWING CO. for a great night of delicious craft beers, incredible food and ALL ORIGINAL FOLK ROCK as only RRF delivers! Fri Aug 21st. 6:30-9pm. C’MON NOW!!!  129 East Michigan Avenue, 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 22

39th Annual Jackson Civil War Muster. Jackson Civil War Muster is a full-scale Civil War reenactment event that draws audiences from all over the Midwest United States. We are a family friendly event with food vendors, arts and crafts, and historically accurate interactive installations from the Civil War era. Saturday, August 22, 2026 (9am-9pm) and Sunday, August 23, 2026 (8am-3pm).  Cascade Falls Park, 1401 South Brown Street
Jackson.  The 39th annual Jackson Civil War Muster features the Battle of Shiloh (Sarah bell’s Farm). There will be sutlers, vendors, food, music, infantry, artillery and cavalry and civilians of the 1860’s. The battle will be on both days at 2:00 pm. The military ball returns Saturday night (FREE to attend) along with a night firing from the artillery.  Complete schedule and details here.

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.

River & Rail Youth Bike Helmet Giveaway.  River & Rail is organizing a youth bike helmet giveaway and trail safety clinic this Saturday, August 22, promoting outdoor recreation, trail utilization and downtown cycling connectivity. This will take place during the Grand River Farmer’s Market, which takes place between 9am-2pm.  The MAJ Protect MI Families will hand out bike helmets and help them get fitted.  River & Rail Bike Helmet Giveaway Event, 137 W. North St., Jackson.

MEGGAXP. 11 AM to 7 PM.  Michigan’s Entertainment, Gaming, Geek and Arts Experience (MeggaXP) is coming back to Jackson for a day filled with gaming, art, & geekery.  Commonwealth Commerce Center, Downtown Jackson.  Event page here.

Freeze! FBI! Exhibit Open House & Gift Shop Exploration. 10 AM to 2 PM.  Get ready to shrink down to the forest floor and discover the unsung heroes of our ecosystem! We are hosting a special open house to celebrate the invisible — and not-so-invisible — workings of our favorite cleanup crew. Come learn all about the FBI: Fungi, Bacteria, and Invertebrates, the essential team that keeps our environment healthy and thriving. This event is free to attend!  Dahlem, 7117 S. Jackson Road, Jackson.

MHRA- 42nd Annual Wild Ones Regatta Michigan Hydroplane Boat Races. Get ready for a high-speed weekend on the water as the Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association returns to Grass Lake! Watch professional and amateur drivers compete in thrilling hydroplane races, featuring powerful boats, tight turns, and heart-pounding action you can feel from the shoreline. This family-friendly event brings spectators from all over the region and makes for an unforgettable summer weekend in Grass Lake. Bring a chair or blanket, enjoy food vendors, support local businesses, and experience the excitement of racing up close. Free Event to the public. Whether you’re a lifelong racing fan or seeing hydroplanes for the first time, this is a can’t-miss event on Grass Lake. For more information: www.michiganhydroplane.com

Sunday, August 23

39th Annual Jackson Civil War Muster. Jackson Civil War Muster is a full-scale Civil War reenactment event that draws audiences from all over the Midwest United States. We are a family friendly event with food vendors, arts and crafts, and historically accurate interactive installations from the Civil War era. Saturday, August 22, 2026 (9am-9pm) and Sunday, August 23, 2026 (8am-3pm).  Cascade Falls Park, 1401 South Brown Street
Jackson.  The 39th annual Jackson Civil War Muster features the Battle of Shiloh (Sarah bell’s Farm). There will be sutlers, vendors, food, music, infantry, artillery and cavalry and civilians of the 1860’s. The battle will be on both days at 2:00 pm. Complete schedule and details here.

Irish Hills Gravel Group Ride.  9 AM.  Experience Jackson is excited to invite you to a makeup group ride following the air quality-related cancellation of the Sunday ride during our Gravel Weekend with Paige Onweller (in July 2026). There is no cost to participate, but registration is requested. Whether you participated in the original Gravel Weekend or are simply looking for a fun day exploring some of Southern Michigan’s best gravel roads, we’d love to have you join us. New to gravel? Don’t worry—we’ll have multiple pace groups to make this ride welcoming for riders of a wide range of experience levels. Two Distance Options: Choose from approximately 25 miles or 45 miles We’ll ride one of the featured Irish Hills Gravel routes through the scenic gravel roads of the Irish Hills. The course map will be shared with registered participants prior to the ride.We’ll offer several pace groups so riders can choose the experience that’s right for them. The emphasis is on riding together, encouraging one another and enjoying a great day on the bike—not racing. Register here.

2nd Annual Deb Day Adoption Event.  Join us on Sunday, August 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Deb Day Adoption Event at the Jackson County Animal Shelter! This special event honors the memory of Deb Marriott, a beloved Jackson letter carrier and shelter supporter who had a tremendous love for animals. Thanks to the generosity of National Association of Letter Carriers Local 232, adoption fees for select pets will be sponsored during the event, helping more animals find homes. Come meet your new best friend while celebrating Deb’s legacy of compassion and community service!!  3370 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson.

MHRA- 42nd Annual Wild Ones Regatta Michigan Hydroplane Boat Races. Get ready for a high-speed weekend on the water as the Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association returns to Grass Lake! Watch professional and amateur drivers compete in thrilling hydroplane races, featuring powerful boats, tight turns, and heart-pounding action you can feel from the shoreline. This family-friendly event brings spectators from all over the region and makes for an unforgettable summer weekend in Grass Lake. Bring a chair or blanket, enjoy food vendors, support local businesses, and experience the excitement of racing up close. Free Event to the public. Whether you’re a lifelong racing fan or seeing hydroplanes for the first time, this is a can’t-miss event on Grass Lake. For more information: www.michiganhydroplane.com

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, Sounds of Summer *The Ultimate Beach Boys Tribute Experience*. 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.