Events of Saturday, September 28 – Sunday, September 29, 2024

Saturday, September 28

ORS Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, Kids Superhero Run. 9 AM.  One Energy Plaza (Consumers Energy HQ), Downtown Jackson.  Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists, PC is partnering with MK Jetting and Televising to put on the 2024 ORS Oktoberfest 10k / 5K, Kids Superhero Run.  This race has changed locations and time of year over its tenure but ORS is proud to be offering this community event for over 30 years! We are changing locations!!!!  Why not???!!  This year’s festivities will be held at Consumer’s Energy Headquarters,  One Energy Plaza.  With the wide-open spaces, public parking structures adjacent, AND the City of Jackson trail systems it is a win from a safety and experience aspect.  DJ Chere Pepper (cherepepper.com) will be on site again this year to provide announcements, and music throughout the event!  All Oktoberfest participants will receive post-race re-fueling ON-SITE by Doll n Burgers!  Race Day Packet Pick-Up will be from 7:30 am – 8:45 am at Consumer’s Energy Headquarters.  1 Energy Plaza.  All pre and post-race events will take place on the Plaza in front of the old post office, now Consumer’s Energy Headquarters. Registration and more info here.

K105.3 Fall Fest & Chili Classic.  Get ready for a fun-filled day of autumn festivities at the 4th Annual K105.3 Fall Fest & Chili Classic! Join us on Saturday, September 28th in beautiful downtown Jackson for an event packed with flavor, music, and family-friendly activities.  Savor the best chili around with just a $5 tasting fee. Vote for your favorite and help crown the Chili Classic Champion! Groove to amazing live bands on 2 stages throughout the day. There’s something for everyone! Kids’ Kingdom has free fun for the little ones with exciting games, crafts, and activities. Vendors Galore – Explore a wide variety of local vendors offering everything from unique crafts to delicious eats. Social District – Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with beverages in our designated social district. Downtown Shopping – Take a stroll and discover the charm of downtown Jackson’s shops, restaurants, and boutiques.  (see K1053.com/fallfestf or detailed schedule)

Grand River Farmers Market.  9 AM to 2 PM.  You’re invited to join us riverside for a healthy dose of good food, good music, and good community! We’ve got dozens of weekly rotating vendors offering Seasonal fruits & veggies, meats, cheeses, coffee, honey, pasta, artisan breads, baked goods, dairy, plants, flowers, bath and body, hand-crafted artisan wares, and more!  Entertainment and food truck.  We’ve also got prepared food and frozen make-n-take dinners.  We’ll be open rain or shine – hope to see you there!  Glick and Mechanic, Downtown Jackson.

PPT Volunteer Project.  People for the Parks and Trails (PPT), a resident-led volunteer group, has its first volunteer projects for the fall 2024 season. Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 am: Paint score box and cleanup ball fields at Ella Sharp Park  Volunteer projects are open to everyone. No prior sign-up is needed, volunteers can just show up and get to work! More information about the volunteer opportunities is posted on PPT’s website, peoplefortheparks.org. Updates about the projects will also be available on the non-profit’s Facebook page.

City of Jackson Clean Up Day.  7 AM to 11 AM.  The City of Jackson is holding an event to help residents tidy up their properties this fall. The City Cleanup Day event is happening Saturday, Sept. 28 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Department of Public Works (DPW) Operations Center. The event is free and open to all City residents. The DPW Operations Center is located at 521 Water St. Drivers should stay in their vehicles and drive through organized lines to the drop off zones, entering using the intersection of Water and E. Morrell streets.

Jackson Living History. 10 AM.  Join us for a day of living history presenters here at the museum. Learn about the lives of soldiers, sailors, airmen, civilians, and more throughout history. Come meet with various groups to discuss genealogy and membership and otherwise learn more about your ancestors. Groups from many time periods will be on site to exhibit and talk about their particular time in history. A great family outing and a great way for your group to connect with the public and grow!   Michigan Military Heritage Museum, 311 N. Wisner, Jackson.

JaxTown Comedy Show.  Weatherwax Hall, 215 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.  Featuring the comedy of Buddy Love, Colleen DiPonio, Wayne Mac, Chef Bullet, Uncle Smooth, Ms Joyce, and Smada Adams.  6:30 to 10 PM.                                                      

Theatre of Jiujitsu.  Get ready for an epic night of Jiujitsu at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson! Kids kick off the action at 4 PM followed by the adults later in the evening. Watch your favorite competitors go head-to-head on a pro stage in a pro environment. Come join us for some thrilling matches, refreshments, and comfortable seating. Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Spectator tickets are $50 for presale or $100 at the door.  Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

Annual Craft Show and Flea Market.  10 AM to 3 PM.  All funds support American Heritage Girls MI3489 and The MomCo (formerly MOPS/MomsNext) at JaxNaz Church.  Enjoy a variety of crafters, flea market and resale vendors. Find unique, one-of-a-kind items at great prices. Get a jump on Christmas! Coffee, snacks, pop, and lunch available for purchase on site. Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/379566068111020?active_tab=about.  JaxNaz Church, 3905 Clinton Road, Jackson.

Michigan Button Society Fall Show.  “All Dolled Up”.  September 27-29.  Admission: Free. For a look into the world of buttons, antique, vintage, or modern, come join enthusiastic button collectors for many hours of entertainment. The shows feature button displays, educational opportunities, button sales, socialization, friendship and a whole lot of buttons! the MBS is dedicated to the study, preservation and enjoyment of garment buttons, fasteners and ornamentation.  Commonwealth Commerce Center, Grand Ballroom, 209 E. Washington Ave., Jackson.  Event page here.

5-Second Rule at Mancino’s.  Come on down to Mancino’s from 6:00 till 9:00 P.M. Music to be performed by 5-Second Rule. It will be a rocking good time.  3017 Wildwood Avenue, Jackson.

Sunday, September 29

Michigan Button Society Fall Show.  “All Dolled Up”.  September 27-29.  Admission: Free. For a look into the world of buttons, antique, vintage, or modern, come join enthusiastic button collectors for many hours of entertainment. The shows feature button displays, educational opportunities, button sales, socialization, friendship and a whole lot of buttons! the MBS is dedicated to the study, preservation and enjoyment of garment buttons, fasteners and ornamentation.  Commonwealth Commerce Center, Grand Ballroom, 209 E. Washington Ave., Jackson.  Event page here.

A Lot of Art. 12-5 pm, the old Acme Lot at Art 634 will be taken over by local artists selling discounted supplies, art work, and musical items. Stop by and discover a new hobby or an original art piece for that blank wall. Need an affordable one of a kind gift? This is your place! Adding to the excitement, Slappin’ Foods food truck will be onsite, serving up delicious eats throughout the event. A Lot of Art is free to the public and is located at 600 N. Mechanic Street in Jackson, MI. If it is raining, the event will be moved indoors at 634 N. Mechanic Street.

Jackson Reptile Expo.  Come out on September 29th from 10am-3pm at the American 1 Event Center for an awesome day filled with some amazing animals! At the show you will see a large variety of animals, supplies, feeders, cages and more that you can bring home!  Keeley Park, Downtown Jackson.