Events of August 24, 25, and 26, 2018

August 24

Red Cross Blood Drive.  Tripp’s Auto Shop, 2929 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.  11 AM to 5 PM.  Tripp’s Auto and Jackson Underworld Haunted House sponsored blood drive.  Free ticket to all presenting donors and a goodie bag, plus lunch!  As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.

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!

Downtown Cruise In.  Join us for our family oriented event featuring classic cars on display throughout the Downtown Streets of Jackson. The event takes place from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the beautiful new Michigan Ave. There will be a variety of vendors at this event including food trucks. Bring your family and friends to Downtown Jackson to enjoy summer evenings checking out classic cruisers!   ATTENTION Cruisers: Please do not begin parking downtown until 5 p.m. Thank you!

Jammin’ in Jackson and Family Film Night at CP Federal City Square in Horace Blackman Park, Downtown Jackson.  Jammin’ in Jackson is featuring the annual Jackson Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops Concert from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The JSO’s summer pops concert presents music from films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter, Star Wars and Frozen! Complimenting these adventurous film scores will be marches including the Armed Forces Service Songs, familiar college fight songs and The Stars and Stripes Forever.  The movie “The Lion King” 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. 

Jackson Coffee Company presents free entertainment with Kevin Nichols.  Kevin brings joy and passion to every song he plays and sings. From tender ballads to roof raising rockers, he’ll have you tapping your feet, humming or singing along, and wanting the music to go on and on and on!  7 PM to 10 PM, Jackson Coffee Company, Downtown Jackson.

Art on the Ave.  Join us as we celebrate the creative talents of our artists! As you stroll down Michigan Ave during the monthly Cruise-ins take an artistic journey at The Orange Peacock Gallery. Encounter live artistic performances and indulge your senses as you explore the gallery with a complimentary beverage.  5 to 8 PM.  Tonight’s artist is Chuck Schroeder.

Arts in the Park.  Free concert at Swain Memorial Park, Brooklyn.  7 PM.  Tonight’s entertainment by Wynnwood. 

Dinner Theatre.  Dinner Theater by Jackson Music Theater Group  August 24th from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.  Davis Banquet and Convention Center on Francis St.  Entertainment is light-hearted music including music from old and new musicals.  Dinner:   roasted chicken, meatballs, golumpkies, cheesy augrautin potatoes, green bean casserole, 7-layer salad, and coleslaw.  Cash bar is available.  $25 per seat   Call Becky at 517-474-2704 for reservations.

August 25

The  34th Annual Jackson Civil War Muster at  Ella Sharp Park. Be sure to check out living history exhibits and exciting educational events for the whole family. Both days we will have battle re-enactments, a live music festival, the village of Jacksonburgh, sutlers row, and arts and crafts show, and so much more. The Jackson Civil War Muster is the largest, longest running Civil War event in the Midwest and offers educational family fun for all ages. Join us  and experience history come to life.  Battles at 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday, events and activities last all day.  Presented by Tripp’s Auto Shop and Collision Center. Details here.

Meggaxp and Experience Jackson are proud to be bringing MeggaXP IV to the Commonwealth Commerce Center on August 25th. Vendor Hall will be returning to the ORIGINAL location from MeggaXP I (first floor) and will be filled with over 40 vendors selling everything from art and buttons to posters and neck ties and more! Our vending hall is sure to have something for everyone!  Cosplay Contest – This year our cosplay contest is going to be bigger than ever, as are introducing a new wrinkle to the mix – – – the top 5 cosplays from EACH category will be selected by our panel of judges, and the AUDIENCE will VOTE for the winner! Prizes awarded for the winners!  Panels – This year we are working hard to bring the best panelists from the first THREE years together for the most comprehensive list of panels we’ve ever offered! Sure to have something for everyone!  Complete details here.

Center Stage Jackson will hold auditions for “The Music Man” today from 10 AM to 12 Noon and Tuesday, August 28 fro 6 PM to 8 PM.  Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church, 743 West Michigan Avenue.  For a complete list of characters and show details click here.

Charity Tennis Tournament to benefit JDRF.  2018 Charity Tennis Invitational to benefit JDRF.  Spring Arbor University Jones Tennis Complex  Matches will be played in a Round Robin format. Come enjoy a great day on our beautiful tennis courts. The day is planned to be fun for tennis players of all ages and abilities and help us raise money to help families living with Type 1 Diabetes.

Stained Glass Windows:  An Architectural Tour.  This self-paced walking tour, sponsored by the Jackson Anchor Initiative, highlights stained glass windows in the architecture of Downtown Jackson.   The tour will kick-off with a special presentation by Jeannette Woodard of Woodard & Associates, Architects.   Three presentations: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.  Location: First Congregational Church, 120 N Jackson St, Jackson.  The walking tour can be completed at a leisurely pace in about 40 minutes. Docents will be stationed at the historic buildings on the tour from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM the day of the event.   Tickets: $10 per adult / $8 per child (16 & under).

Cascades Rotary Bandshell Summer Concert Series presents The Capital City Brass Band.   Capital City Brass Band features everything from traditional British brass band hymns and marches to virtuoso transcriptions of orchestral standards, jazz, show tunes and electrifying solo features.  NOTE: Concert begins at 5:00 p.m  Weather permitting.  Free to the public

August 26

The  34th Annual Jackson Civil War Muster at  Ella Sharp Park. Be sure to check out living history exhibits and exciting educational events for the whole family. Both days we will have battle re-enactments, a live music festival, the village of Jacksonburgh, sutlers row, and arts and crafts show, and so much more. The Jackson Civil War Muster is the largest, longest running Civil War event in the Midwest and offers educational family fun for all ages. Join us  and experience history come to life.  Battles at 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday, events and activities last all day.  Presented by Tripp’s Auto Shop and Collision Center. Details here.

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.