Events of May 17, 18, and 19, 2019

May 17

Unveiling of New Sculpture. The City of Jackson hosts an official unveiling for the community’s latest public art piece on Friday, May 17. The sculpture titled “City of Roses” by Edward Thayer was recently installed at the corner of E. Washington Avenue and S. Cooper Street in downtown Jackson. Join city officials and other special guests for the unveiling event on Friday, May 17 at the sculpture site, starting at 11:30 a.m. The sculpture is located at 245 E. Washington Avenue, at the corner of E. Washington Avenue and S. Cooper Street. Commemorative postcards that feature the sculpture will be available at the event.

Optimist Club of Jackson Garage Sale. Thursday and Friday 10 AM to 4 PM, Saturday, 10 AM to 12 Noon. All proceeds to support Club Youth projects. Optimist Ice Arena, 1300 West North Street, Jackson. The Optimist Club of Jackson supports youth with Children’s Christmas Shopping Spree, Youth Appreciation Lansing Trip, Gordon Will Scholarship Fund, Archery at Parkside and more! Find great bargains and help support youth!

Red Cross Blood Drive. 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Blackman Township Hall, 1990 W. Parnall Road, Jackson.

Adrian International Film Festival. Adrian International Film Festival returns this weekend. It starts at 6 p.m. Friday, then runs all day Saturday at various venues around the downtown Adrian area. Categories include feature length films, feature lengthy documentaries, documentary and animated shorts, and student films. Tickets to individual showings are $10, a festival pass is $25 or $15 for students, and a family pass included passes for up to four people is $60.

Late nights at Sandhill! Our hours extend to 10pm with live music 6-9 every Friday night! Weekend specials start on Friday, so you will find things like sandwich/soup/salads options, in addition to our regular menu. Join us on the deck for live tunes, weather permitting. Friday May 17th: Ian Stewart. Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Road, Jackson. 6 PM to 10 PM.

Live Music at Jackson Coffee Company. 7 PM to 10 PM. 201 S. Mechanic Street, Downtown Jackson.

May 18

2019 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk. The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. Honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.tunnel2towers.org Saturday, May 18th at 9am, Cascades Park. More information on the Facebook page.

Jackson Community Spring Garden Event. 8 AM to 12 Noon. Jackson County Fairgrounds. Follow the signs to North Entrance, Blackstone Street. Cash or check with ID. Shop a huge selection of plants, garden equipment and more. Sponsored by Jackson County Conservation District, Jackson County Master Gardeners Association, The Men’s Garden Club, and The Women’s Garden Association.

Optimist Club of Jackson Garage Sale. Saturday, 10 AM to 12 Noon. All proceeds to support Club Youth projects. Optimist Ice Arena, 1300 West North Street, Jackson. The Optimist Club of Jackson supports youth with Children’s Christmas Shopping Spree, Youth Appreciation Lansing Trip, Gordon Will Scholarship Fund, Archery at Parkside and more! Find great bargains and help support youth!

State of Michigan Historical Marker Unveiling at Jackson’s Mt. Evergreen Cemetery that recognizes people buried there who were involved in the Underground Railroad. Jackson was an active stop on the Underground Railroad, which was a secret network organized by people who helped men, women and children escape from slavery prior to the end of the Civil War. All are welcome to attend the marker unveiling on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. Mt. Evergreen Cemetery is located at 1047 Greenwood Ave. in Jackson. This week, Experience Jackson is launching a walking tour of five sites important to anti-slavery activity in Jackson, such as the Jackson Train Station, First Congregational Church, and Mt. Evergreen Cemetery. The cemetery’s walking tour information will be posted next to the new historic marker.

Boater Safety Class presented by Coast Guard Auxiliary. Come participate in National Boating Safety Week by taking a free Boaters Safety Class. Boaters born after June 30, 1996 and most watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan must have a boater safety certificate. Passing the exam at the end of the class, will result in your earning the Michigan DNR Boating Safety Certificate. Please bring a bag lunch. Contact Jan Osborn to register at 517-414-3466. If no answer, leave a message. Class will be held at the Jackson District Library- Meijer Branch Community Room. Class is from 9:15 to 4:15.

321 Improv Night. Come and enjoy a FREE community night of comedy being held at the Middle School at Parkside in the Auditorium. This is a family friendly event so bring your kids along and enjoy a night out. The show starts at 7pm and you wont want to miss this great night of improv comedy free for the whole community. 7 PM to 8 PM.

May 19

G.R.E.A.T. Paddle. The members of the Grand River Environmental Action Team (G.R.E.A.T.) have the next activity scheduled for Sunday, May 19. This will be a paddle of the headwaters of the Grand River. We will meet at the Liberty Township Hall, 101 W Liberty Rd Clark Lake 49234 at 11:00 AM and shuttle to the put-in on Sutfin Rd. The paddle should run from at 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM and include a trip into Grand Lake and finish at the Liberty Township Hall. Due to the cold weather you may wish to bring a change of clothing in a waterproof bag. This 2.0 mile trip on the headwaters of the Grand River will last approximately 2 to 3 hours with 2 portages and a chance to paddle around beautiful Grand Lake. This trip is a combination of river and open lake paddling through wooded and mostly natural areas. The includes tight bends in the river and debris, which will require maneuvering skills. To reserve a canoe or kayak for this paddle, please call (517)416-4234.

Oh America! Memorial Concert. Presented to you FREE with 70 voice choir, Brass Quintet, 4 Octaves of Handbells, Percussion, Organ and Piano. See the program the Jackson Chorale will perform next month at Carnegie Hall. 3 PM to 4:30 PM. First United Methodist Church, 275 West Michigan Avenue.

Islands of Wellness. 11 AM to 3 PM, American 1 Event Center, Jackson County Fairgrounds. Join us for Islands of Wellness, a family-friendly event, inspired by the story of Inside Out and SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness! Activities and challenges throughout the day will teach kids and their family how to take care of their mental health and beat stress in a fun and interactive way! Families will have the opportunity to complete challenges based on SAMSHA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness which boost mental health. Each attendee completes a passport and participates in an activity at each of the 8 Islands. This event is a collaboration with LifeWays, Baker College of Jackson and Drug Free Jackson.

Kids Planetarium Day. Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Located in the Hurst Planetarium at Ella Sharp Museum. Experience the ancient legends of the night sky! Perseus & Andromeda is a fun-filled retelling of the legendary Princess Andromeda and Perseus, as they try to escape the great sea monster set upon Andromeda by her mother, Cassiopeia. Recommended for Ages 5-13. Tickets: $6 adults, $4 for children and Ella Sharp Museum members. Age 5 and under is FREE. Tickets available at the door.