Events of Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Jackson Food Truck Festival.   On Wednesday, July 17th, join Jackson County for the 3rd annual Jackson Food Truck Festival!  This event will be held from 4pm-8pm and is free to enter. The food trucks will be on the Midway at Keeley Park (Jackson County Fairgrounds).  Entertainment, games and food trucks with your favorite foods and drinks.  Plenty of picnic tables and seating.  Presented by Jackson County Parks.

Kiwanis Kids Film Series: “Elemental”  In a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.  The Michigan Theatre Kids Film Series is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Jackson.  Showtimes are 11 AM and 2 PM.  Doors open one half hour before showtimes.  Kids Combo:  Small Drink and Popcorn for $5. Admission is $1. Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

City of Jackson Summer Safety Series Event. City of Jackson Police and Fire Services is hosting its first Summer Safety Series.  This five event series will connect residents with public safety in neighborhood parks. The events will feature free food, games, giveaways, safety information, and bike raffles with helmets for ages 12 and under. Every event will feature two $50 Visa gift card giveaways for ages 13 to 18 years old.  Fire trucks and police patrol cars will be at each event for residents to get a close look at them. The events will run from 12 to 2:00 p.m. Today’s event is at Loomis Park, 210 Gilbert St. (postponed from July 10)

Grass Lake Farmers Market.  4 PM to 7 PM.  A large selection of offerings from farmers and vendors.  Every Wednesday!  Grass Lake Community Events Center, 120 Brown Street, Downtown Grass Lake.

Grass Lake Music in the Park. 6:30 PM to 8 PM.  Following the Farmers Market on the1st & 3rd Wednesdays May thru August, and then the first 2 Wednesdays in September. DJ music starts at 6:00 and live music runs 6:30-8:00 pm.  Join us for great live entertainment at the Grass Lake Community Events Center in Downtown Grass Lake.  Tonight, Grass Lake’s own Brayden Lape.  Sponsored by JTV, Yoder Signs, and Copper Nail.

Wednesday Family Night at The Cascades.  Wednesday Family Night Show starts at 7:30 PM.  Admission:  $10 for up to 8 family members.  Live entertainment plus special costumed characters every week!  Tonight:  JP and the Energy.  All shows are weather permitting.  Visit jacksoncountyparks.org.

Red Cross Blood Drive.  Summit Township. Fire Department, 2121 Ferguson Road, Jackson.  10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Sponsored by J-Dart. To schedule an appointment log onnto RedCrossBlood.org (sponsor code JDart) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting Red Cross Blood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment. Be part of something big. Make an appointment. 1-800-RED CROSS | RedCrossBlood.org | Download the Blood Donor App

US Women’s National Championships and Hot Air Jubilee. With a record number of participants vying for the title, this year’s competition promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Among the esteemed pilots ready to showcase their skills are a group of women from across the nation, each bringing their unique flair and expertise to the event. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, the field is packed with talent and determination.   Competitors will arrive in Jackson and compete from July 14-20, 2024 leading up to and including the 41st Hot Air Jubilee to be held July 19-21, 2024. Both events promise to be a week filled with excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. In addition to the competition, attendees can look forward to a variety of family-friendly activities and food vendors. More information on the pilots is available on the Hot Air Jubilee website at www.hotairjubilee.com. Competition flights for the Women’s National Championships will happen throughout Jackson County and will expand outside of the traditional footprint of the Hot Air Jubilee. For updated schedule information, download the official Hot Air Jubilee mobile app which is available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Homebuyer Information Session.  5:30 PM.  Presented by The Welcome Home Organization.  1203 First Street, Jackson.  Free and all are welcome!

Sharp Park Mini Golf.  The Ella Sharp Park Mini Golf is open for the season.  7 days a week, 12 Noon to 8 PM.  18 holes:  $7 per person.  Groups of 5 or more $5 per person.  Located at the Fourth Street entrance to Sharp Park.

RE/MAX Mid Michigan Annual Backpack Drive. RE/MAX Mid-Michigan is proud to support Michigan Center’s Arnold Elementary and Napoleon’s Ezra Eby Elementary this year.  We will be accepting new backpacks, school supplies and cash donations at our Jackson and Brooklyn locations.  Today through Friday, August 2nd.  Jackson Office:  2300 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson.  Drop off anytime between 9 AM and 5 PM.  Brooklyn Office:  131 N. Main Street (by appointment only, call 517-788-2622.

Jackson College Astronomical Observatory Public Viewing.  9 PM to 11 PM.  Jackson College’s new Astronomical Observatory will hold public viewing nights on Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-11 p.m. (weather permitting) now through the month of July. Viewing nights provide the public with an opportunity to look through the new high-tech telescope to see the planets, the moon and stars. Astronomical Observatory Coordinator Talia Burns will be available to explain what guests may be looking at and to answer any related questions. Guests are also welcome to bring their own telescopes; the site has an outdoor platform area with several piers for amateur astronomers.  Those interested are advised to check the weather beforehand. The telescope is ADA compliant and accessible to people in wheelchairs. When entering Central Campus from Emmons Road, take the service drive to the left; the observatory is just beyond the softball and baseball fields.