Events of May 15, 16, and 17, 2026

Friday, May 15

Grand River Farmers Market Downtown Market.  9 AM to 2 PM.  Grow Jackson invites you the Grand River Farmers Market at the downtown pavilion.  Come on down and reconnect… We’ve got dozens of your favorite vendors ready to go with seasonal fruits & veggies, flowers, beef, chicken, eggs, pork, cheeses, honey, syrup, pasta, dairy, artisan breads, mushrooms, granola, microgreens, tea, jams, pestos, sweets, coffee, soups, ready-to-eat hot foods, sandwiches, snacks, natural home, plants, health and beauty products, even pet treats – plus a few true artisans for a little retail therapy! The Jackson District Library returns – they’ll be with us each Friday, so bring your library card, and if you don’t have one – they can get you one!

American 1 Spring Sale.  Join us for the American 1 Spring Sale at the American 1 Event Center at Keeley Park!  Shop local car dealers, 300 vehicles on-site, AND power equipment dealers! Get pre-approved today!  american1cu.org/pre-approval.  Sale Hours:    Friday, May 15, 11 AM – 8 PM.  Saturday, May 16, 10 AM – 3 PM.  Learn more:  american1cu.org/car-sale

JATA Celebrates National Transit Week 2026. 10 AM to 4 PM.  Visit the Jackson Area Transportation Authority’s Transit Center all this week as JATA celebrates National Transit Week.  Meet vendors, partners and services displaying during Transit Week.  Free popcorn, giveaways, prizes and more.  All week, enjoy a hot dog and drink for $1.  See what JATA offers our community!  127  West Cortland Street, Downtown Jackson.

Jackson 517 Weekend and Southside Festival Series.  The Southside Festival Series launched in 2019 with the Summer Fest #SouthsideMural reveal, celebrating the rich history and heroes of the African American community on the southside of Jackson, is excited to add the 517 Weekend to their series of yearly festivals.  This year’s 8th annual series kicks off this May 15th in Jackson Michigan in honor of area code 517, featuring an Open Mic poetry reading at The Grandeur at Jackson Friday May 15th, followed by the 7th Annual Local Authors Expo & Book Fair at C-Store Deli on Saturday May16th, and later that evening will be an old school jam with celebrity DJ MadLinx. On Sunday evening May 17th the Southside Business Journal hosts the 1st Annual Black & Minority Business Honors at Seague, Inc.  Complete event details here.

Gus Macker Registration Now Open. The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will be held in Jackson, Michigan from May 30–31, 2026 Part of the Gus Macker World Tour, a traveling 3-on-3 basketball event that brings together amateur and collegiate players from across the country.  Registration Details Event Dates: May 30–31, 2026 Team Entry Fee: $180 per team Registration Deadline: May 14, 2026.  Registration Portal: You can register online via the official Gus Macker site at macker.com/register macker.com. Login/Account: If you already have an account, you can log in to complete your registration; otherwise, you can create one on the site macker.com. Macker.com/local/jackson-mi

Saturday, May 16

GRFM Saturdays at the River and Rail.  9 AM to 2 PM.  Directly from the farmers, ranchers, and producers, right here in Jackson! We’ve got the best fresh and local goods inside this historic venue, neighboring our vibrant art community, and just a short walk from murals, music, and theater! With live music every market day, along with seasonal fruits and vegetables, chicken, pork, grassfed/finished beef, fish right from Michigan’s own U.P., eggs, microgreens, gourmet mushrooms, locally made pasta, cheese, coffee, tea, jams, jelly, fresh milled flour, pesto, donuts, cider, croissants, scones, bagels, sourdough, artisan breads, honey, maple syrup, hot food, granola, nut butters, dry soups & pantry goods, roasted nuts, cake treats, cookies, pies, native plants, houseplants, natural body care and apothecaries, tallow beauty products, refreshing drinks, and a rotating variety of food trucks every week… even natural meat dehydrated pets snacks for your fur babies, as we’re also pet friendly – and a few *true* artisans for a little retail therapy! (Plus crafts and fun little activities for the kiddos!) Let us be your new Saturday morning destination, we’ve got the perfect market vibe you’ve been looking for!   137 W. North Street, Jackson.

Jackson Community Garden Event. 8 AM to 12 PM.  If you love trying new plants at reasonable prices, put this on your calendar!! We will be at the fairgrounds! Enter from the north side . . . North Street entrance! Look for out Garden Event signs!  A large variety of plants for sale.  Meet members of area garden clubs and vendors.  Keeley Park, Jackson.

Tunnel 2 Towers 5K Run/Walk.  Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries forward a legacy of courage and heroism. Built upon the mantra, “While we have time, LET US DO GOOD,” the Foundation supports our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes, and their families.  Cascade Falls Park, 1401 S. Brown Street, Jackson.  9/11 Ceremony – 8:30 AM, Race Start Time – 9:11 AM.  Register here.

Aging Well Expo. 9 AM to 12 PM.    Join us at WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging for the Aging Well Expo, a free community event focused n helping you, our family, and loved ones navigate every stage of aging with confidence.  Hear from expert speakers, connect with local resources, explore wellness demonstrations and enjoy educational sessions throughout the morning.  WellWise Services AAA, 109 Chicago Street, Downtown Brooklyn.

River Raisin Paddle.  9 AM.  Put In: Swain Memorial Park, N Main St, Brooklyn, MI (just north of Columbia Animal Clinic) Registration begins at 9:00 AM Shuttle departs at 9:30 AM from Put In Location Paddle starts about 10:00 AM Take Out: South side of Norvell Mill Pond at the dam, Case Rd and Mill Rd (northwest corner of the intersection, Norvell Twp) Trip Details Length: 5.3 miles, 2 to 3 hours All paddle events are free and open to the public.  Safety Waivers must be signed at the Put In. A PFD must be worn at all times.  Event page here.

An Evening of Pink Floyd. 7 PM.  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Jeans ’N Classics present a special concert featuring the music of Pink Floyd.  Experience the legendary sound of Pink Floyd like never before as the JSO and Jeans ’n Classics partner once again for an unforgettable night of symphonic rock. From iconic hits like “Comfortably Numb” to “Another Brick in the Wall,” this concert blends the power of a full orchestra with the energy of a live rock band.  Saturday, May 16 at  7pm.  Doors open at 6pm.   Potter Center (2111 Emmons Rd) Jackson College. Get your tickets online, call (517) 782-3221, or visit our Box Office at 215 W Michigan Ave.

Sunday, May 17

Community Health Fair.  1 PM to 4 PM.  Hosted by Quest South East Jackson Lions Club and American Legion Sauk Trail Post 246.  Exchange Park Playground, 300 East Mansion Street, Jackson. Take control of your health!  Jackson College Medical Assistants, UMICH Medical/Dental Students with free health screenings.  Refreshments, community resources, nutritional information, outdoor games, book giveaways and lunch provided.  Free!  Participating organizations and vendors including TRUE Community Credit Union, Jackson County Health Department, Jackson Public Schools, Grow Jackson, Lions Clubs, and Corner Squeeze.

The Jackson Chorale Spring Concert.  4 PM  The Jackson MI Chorale presents A Spring Concert featuring Zion’s Walls, from Old American Songs, Set 11.  Including a performance by the Jackson Children’s Chorale.  General admission $15, student admission $5.  First United Methodist Church, 275 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.