Events of Thursday, October 21, 2021

JAXPO!   The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the JAXPO 2021 B2B Showcase is returning and moving to downtown Jackson at the new American 1 Event Center (200 W Ganson St, Jackson) on October 21st from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Networking event from 5-7 pm. This one-day expo features businesses all connecting in one fabulous new venue to reinforce current professional relationships and spark partnerships.  11:30 am – 1 pm – Economic Luncheon featuring Mark Spaak, Senior Manager of Cyber Security, Rehmann.  1 pm – Special grand re-opening of Jaxpo.  Throughout – Free educational seminars including Marketing your Small Business, Attracting Staff, and Small Businesses Can Offer a Retirement Plan.  5-7 pm – NEW wrap-up event featuring several area restaurants which will provide an excellent opportunity for socialization, introductions, relationship building, and enjoyment.  Stop by our Experience Jackson booth for your chance to explore Jackson and win!

The Green Market at Henry Ford Allegiance Health.  Shop for Halloween and the Holiday Season this week at the Green Market!  Spooktacular treats!  Fruits, vegetables, honey, and more.  9 AM to 2 PM.  Corner of East Michigan Avenue and Waterloo Street, Jackson.  

Explore the Night:  Night Hikes and Telescope Observing.  Join Ella Sharp Museum and the Dahlem Center for a wonderful night under the stars! Let’s explore and use our night senses. The goal for our night walk led my Dahlem Naturalist Educator Carrie Benham is to help people enjoy being outdoors after dark, help them feel safe, and share information about nocturnal animals, the senses they use at night, and how we can better develop our own senses and awareness of the dark. Afterwards, Ella Sharp will be providing guided telescope observing. Event start time varies (depending on the sunset) and night sky observing is after sunset to view the planets, watch the stars come out, and many other celestial wonders. Telescope observing is dependent on clear skies.  Price: $8 for members (either Dahlem or Ella) / $10 for non-members.  Find out more at the Dahlem website or EllaSharp.org.

Art à Loan Exhibit.  The Ella Sharp Museum’s annual Art à Loan program celebrates and shares the talents of K-12 student artists throughout Jackson County. At the end of each school year, dedicated area art teachers select student artwork to be professionally framed, exhibited at the Ella Sharp Museum, then rented and displayed in local businesses. In 2021, to further showcase student talent within Jackson County, we’ve partnered with the Jackson District Library’s “Young Poets” Program. Winners from Art à Loan were thematically paired with winners from Young Poets and will be featured in a special exhibition at the Ella Sharp Museum, October 6–31, 2021, then will be on view throughout the community until fall 2022.

The Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest.  Jackson District Library.  Decorate a pumpkin as your favorite literary/book character! All ages are welcome to participate.  To submit, send a photo of your pumpkin to marketing@myjdl.com with your name and phone number any time from October 1-25.  All entries will be entered into a drawing for prizes including an Amazon gift card, movie tickets and a Meijer gift card.  The winner will be announced on November 1 and entries will be displayed on JDL’s Facebook page.

Hot Air Jubilee Art Contest.  The Hot Air Jubilee is hosting an art contest!  The contest is open to legal residents of the State of Michigan. Contestants must be age 13 or older at time of entry.  Parents or guardians of minors under the age of 13 can submit entries on behalf of their minor(s). The Hot Air Jubilee is looking for art submissions that will be used in marketing the 2022 festival. Visit www.hotairjubilee.com/art-contest-rules and follow all onscreen instructions to complete the official entry form.  Find the complete rules here.

Fall Back to Fitness at Jackson YMCA.  $0 join fees all this month! Save up to $100 when you sign up for membership in person or online at www.jacksonymca.org New extended hours start this week at the Jackson YMCA.  The Downtown location is now open until 5 pm on Saturdays and open Sundays 11 am – 3 pm.