Events of November 22, 23, and 24, 2019

November 22

29th Annual Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade. The them this year is Decades of Christmas. PARADE FEATURES floats, costumed characters, marching bands and lots of fun. • ROUTE STARTS at Blackstone and Michigan Ave. Traveling east down Michigan Ave. ending at Francis St. • CHILDREN CAN VISIT SANTA and Mrs. Claus following the parade at Consumers Energy. Parade begins at 6 PM.

Jackson District Library Holiday Open House, Bake and Book Sale. Celebrate the start of the Holiday Season at the Carnegie Library! Enjoy live music, activities, and crafts featuring many winter holidays. Visit with Santa from 4:30-6 PM and 7-8 PM and receive a free book! JDL Friends of the Library Bake Sale & Book Sale. Purchase hot dogs and hot chocolate to enjoy on our front lawn as the Jackson Holiday Parade passes by (parade starts at 6 PM). All proceeds benefit the Jackson District Library! Book Sale Hours: November 22, 9 AM – 7 PM, November 23, 9 AM – 2 PM.

Nebraska Theater Caravan’s A Christmas Carol. This celebrated Charles Jones adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is rich with thrilling ensemble music, alive with color and movement and is created to tell this great and enduring tale in a manner that people of all ages will enjoy. Woven throughout this classic tale are beautiful new arrangements and moving renditions of holiday songs such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Wassail Wassail, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Away in a Manger, Greensleeves, The Boar’s Head Carol and many more. Featuring a cast of 23 performers, live musicians, and Broadway-style scenery and costumes, audiences cherish this sumptuous holiday classic. Tickets: $35 | $32 | $25 | $10 *$10 tickets available for children 12 years and under. Must be purchased with minimum of one adult/full price ticket. 10% off Buyers Choice discount does not apply to $10 tickets. 7 PM Jackson College Potter Center. Ticket Information.

The Big Bling Sale. Before, during and after the Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade. HUNDREDS OF GENTLY USED ITEMS! Fine and Costume Jewelry, Hats, Scarves, Accessories. Most $8, $5 or $3! 3 P.M. – 8 P.M. First United Methodist Church, 275 W. Michigan. HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. Proceeds Benefit Jackson Personal Care Ministry.

Free Christmas Movie. “Home Alone” presented by 106.9 HOME.fm , Jackson’s Christmas music radio station! Christmas Music Around the Clock on 106.9 HOME.fm! starts on Thanksgiving Day. Join us following the Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade (6:00 pm) on Friday, November 22 for a FREE movie at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson (7:30-ish). Watch the story of a young Kevin McCallister, left alone accidentally when his extended family is in a rush to fly to Paris for the holidays. Kevin develops quick street smarts when two absent-minded burglars, The Wet Bandits, try to break into Kevin’s family home. Don’t stay home alone, come to the movie! We’ll also have a special local guest lead us through a Christmas carol sing-along! Join us!

Live at Veritas. Relax to the intricate sounds of local guitar guru, Brian Tucker, Friday, November 22nd at Veritas. Introducing “LIVE at Veritas”! We’ve teamed up with local talent to create an even better dining experience – Fridays and Saturdays, 8 – 11 PM. Veritas, 151 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.

Red Cross Blood Drive. American Red Cross urges eligible donors to be the lifeline for patients in need this holiday season. Right now there is a critical need for Type “O” blood donors. Today’s time and location: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Blackman Township Hall, 1990 W. Parnall Road, Jackson.

Livability at the Meijer Branch. Livability is an inclusive and accessible program for adults with all abilities. Join us every Friday at the Jackson District Library Meijer Branch for a different activity every week. November 22: Bingo. 10:30 AM, Meijer Branch, Jackson District Library.

Live Music at Jackson Coffee Company. AWA Will Rogers Award Winner as Best Male Vocalist, Bob Marshall, entertains tonight. Bob Marshall winner 2019 Country Album of the Year by the CMA of Texas. 7 PM to 10 PM, Jackson Coffee Company, 201 S. Mechanic Street, Downtown Jackson.

Elf the Musical. A musical take on “Elf” comes to the Croswell Opera House in Adrian for three weekends. Based on the 2003 Will Ferrell movie of the same name, the stage musical features original songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, who are also known for the stage adaptation of “The Wedding Singer.” Elf runs the weekends of Nov. 22, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday shows are at 2:30 p.m., with two additional Saturday matinees on Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. Tickets range from $20 to $40 for adults and are $15 for children. The Croswell is a 640-seat historic theater located at 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. For tickets and more information, call 517-264-7469 or go to croswell.org.

November 23

Jackson Symphony Orchestra presents Carnival of the Animals. Two pianos are better than one! Join us as we bring two pianos to the stage for Saint-Saëns’s dynamic Carnival of the Animals and Poulenc’s virtuosic concerto in D minor. Opening with the whimsical Overture to The Pirates of Penzance, the program also includes Jacques Ibert’s Divertissement accompanied by artwork from Jackson student artists. Tickets are available online or call our box office 517-782-3221. Preconcert Conversation @ 6:30pm . The JSO is proud to partner with Jackson High School and their Thanksgiving Giving. Students from Jackson High will be on hand to accept your non perishable food items or monetary donations to support this great program. 7:30 PM, Potter Center Music Hall, Jackson College.

Nite Lites Christmas 5K Fun Run/Walk. The magic of the Jackson Nite Lites Christmas Display continues and gets bigger and better! This family tradition celebrates its six year anniversary, its third year at Michigan International Speedway and the 2019 season promises to be brighter than ever with the 6th Annual Nite Lites Christmas 5K Fun Run/Walk on SATURDAY, November 23rd, 2019 with a 6:00PM 5K Fun Run and a 5K Walk at 6:30PM. The animated course will once again be offered to registered 5K Fun Run/Walk participants before automobile traffic is permitted! On-site Race Day registration 2:00PM – 6:30PM, 5K Fun Run 6:00PM. 5K Walk begins 6:30PM Michigan International Speedway. 12626 US Hwy 12, Brooklyn. $30.00 On-site registration.

Bake Sale. Sweet and savory, and all home-made offerings from the Sisterhood of St. Demetrius Orthodox Church will once again be available at their famous annual bake sale at the church. From spinach pie (or cheese or leek) to baklava, cookies, pies, breads and more will be waiting for you on the Saturday before Thanksgiving November 23^rd , from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Demetrius at 3043 Seymour Road in Jackson. The popular hand-made Zelnic (cheese, leek or spinach pie) and sweet and delicious home-made baklava, along with other delicious baked goods will be for sale to take home (or eat there). There’s also home-made Avgo-lemono soup (Lemon-Chicken soup) sold in quarts or pints, cakes, candies, more treats and the “Taste of Tradition” cookbook on sale. Lunch will also be available featuring $2 Coneys. Cash and checks are accepted at the bake sale. Tours of the church will be taking place and visitors will be able to see the frescoes and icons that adorn this unique church in the country that’s a true gem in Jackson.

Live at Veritas. Kick back with a cocktail or three while enjoying the River Jazz trio this Saturday, November 23rd at Veritas. Introducing “LIVE at Veritas”! We’ve teamed up with local talent to create an even better dining experience – Fridays and Saturdays, 8 – 11 PM. Veritas, 151 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.

Mac Bater Benefit Concert. Fundraiser to support Mac and his family during time of need. Music, pizza, soda. Admission $10 for adults, $5 for kids. Bands include Prolific Thought, AR Domino, Tyler Bourdon, Rusty Whedon, The Velascos, Nicky Slugzz, The Truth with Nickie Nonsense, Tu Jays and Max Price. 4 PM to 10 PM. 745 Lansing Avenue, Jackson.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Casino Trip. For a $45 donation, you receive charter bus transportation to Firekeepers, $20 casino gaming credits, $5 food voucher, complimentary bus beverages. Coach bus departs the United Way of Jackson Count at 5:30 PM and leaves Firekeepers at 10 PM. To purchase tickets, please call 517-784-7181.

Jackson District Library Book Sale. All proceeds benefit the Jackson District Library. 9 AM – 2 PM. Carnegie Branch, Jackson District Library.

Survivors of Suicide Day Luncheon. Survivors of Suicide Day Luncheon is Saturday, November 23 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Baker College of Jackson Welcome Center (2800 Springport Rd. Jackson). Survivors of Suicide Day was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide can join together for healing and support. It was determined to always fall on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as the holidays are often a difficult time for suicide loss survivors. This free event brings together those who have lost a friend or family member to suicide or survived a suicide attempt. After lunch, attendees have a chance to share their story of how they’ve been personally affected by suicide. This event is supported by Henry Ford Allegiance Health, LifeWays Community Mental Health, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Jackson County Suicide Prevention Coalition meets the first Monday of the month at 4:00 p.m. at LifeWays Meeting Rooms. Any community members who are passionate about stopping stigma and saving lives are welcome to attend including suicide survivors, people living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders, representatives from community organizations or local businesses. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Text Home to 741-741 or call the local 24-hour LifeWays Crisis Line at 1-800-284-8288.

Meet and Greet with Veterans. Michigan Center Eagles #3634 will be hosting a meet and greet with veterans from the Jackson Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 109. There will be education on the Vietnam War, presentations and demonstrations of the flag, gear and life in Vietnam. There will also be a pinning for a 50-year pin for one of our own veterans of the area. This event is open to the public. Hosted at Michigan Center Eagles. 2 PM.

Jackson County Branch NAACP presents Are You O.K? A discussion on mental health in the Black Community. 1 PM to 3 PM, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, 1107 Adrian Street, Jackson. Join us for some great food, and a great discussion as we continue our mission toward healthy living: Mind, Body and Soul. Dive into the stigma around Mental Health in the Black Community from some bright minds who work directly in the field. Food samples available from 1 PM until supplies last.