Events of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Concord Classic 5K Run and Walk, Kids Run.  Join us for the 32nd running, featuring some very awesome events!  New course for 2023!  Park at Concord Middle School, event starts on the high school track this year due to construction.  Each year the event draws participants from all over the United States with the proceeds benefiting the Concord High School cross country team and overall running in the Concord community.  We are looking forward to another great event!  Overall Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers of Open (all ages), Masters (40+), and Grandmasters (50+) in the 5k Run, and 5k Walk.  Age Groups Awards to the top 3 places in each age group.  The race will be chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Results will be texted to your phone and live on this site.  Results and series information is available at https://www.orsraceseries.com/  Additional race information can be found at http://www.orsraceseries.com/.

Kiwanis Summer Kids’ Movies presents… MUMMIES.  Wednesday, June 21 at 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 22 at 2:00 PM.  $1 Admission, $5 combo drink/popcorn.  Note:  Limited Kids’ Movies this summer due to ongoing restoration work in the auditorium. 2 PM shows only this week. Michigan Theatre, Downtown Jackson.

Nixon Water Park.  The City of Jackson Nixon Water Park season is now underway.  Hours are Monday thru Saturday 11 AM to 3 PM, session price $5.  3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, session price $4.  Senior Swim:  Tuesday and Friday, 9 AM to 10:30 AM, session price $2.  Closed Sundays.  400 E. North Street at Cooper Street, Jackson.

Technology Help for Seniors.  Jackson College students can assist those 65 and over with their technology questions at weekly “Technology Help for Seniors” sessions, to be held Wednesdays from 12 noon to 3 p.m. in William Atkinson Hall, Room 219 on Central Campus.  Friendly student workers from the Jackson College Solution Center – who help keep the College’s computer and related technology up and running – will be available to help senior citizens. From logging onto a computer, using your mobile phone, setting up and sending e-mail to more advanced questions, they are here to help!  Sessions begin June 21 and continue each Wednesday through Aug. 23. Coffee and water will be provided, and guests may also enjoy a complimentary hot dog lunch on the Potter Center Patio from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is optional.  Presented by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging and the Affinity Liaison to the Elderly Community, Katie Crowley. Registration is required each week. Contact Crowley at 517.796.8481 (press 1) or CrowleyKathleeE@jccmi.edu.

Cruise Into Summer at Vista Grande Villa.  Help us bring in the first official day of Summer… in style! Join us on Wednesday, June 21 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Vista Grande Villa for an afternoon of BBQ lunch, entertainment, and fun. Tours of Vista Grande Villa are also available upon request!  Learn more and RSVP by calling Matt at 517-962-7720.

Go Skate Day at Nixon Park.  4 to 7 PM.  Encounter Church is hosting a party at Nixon Skatepark for National Go Skateboarding Day! Free Grill out food, hundreds of dollars worth of skate product to give out and TONS of skateboarding!

Family Night at the Cascades.  Every Wednesday is Family Night.  Featuring great acts and costumed characters.  Tonight:  Gordon the Magician.  Show starts at 7:30 PM.  Admission $10 for up to 8 family members.  Cascades Falls.

Get Creative:  Explore Antarctica.  6 PM.  Discover Antarctica’s unspoiled beauty in a breathtaking presentation by local photographer and author Douglas Leffler.  Summit Branch, Jackson District Library.  Intended for teens and adults.  Free.  Call 783-4030 to register.  

Community Shred Day.  4 PM to 6 PM.  American 1 Credit Union is having a free shred day for personal and small business shredding. Bring your personal and confidential documents for shredding. Located at our Parnall Branch 1521 Parnall Rd. Jackson.  If you don’t have anything to shred, grab some food from Burnt Honey foodtruck; they will be onsite as well. 

Grass Lake Farmers Market and Music in the Park.  “Music in the Park” is celebrating the 11th year in Grass Lake. Come join us for fun, family friendly, and free entertainment at the Grass Lake Events Park Pavilion, at 120 Brown St, Grass Lake.  Tonight’s music by the Grass Lake School of Music.  Farmers Market starts at 4 PM, Music runs from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM.

My First Look at the Stars.  12 PM.  This is an interactive live presentation meant especially for kids! Children will learn about the sun and the moon and a few basic constellations as well!  Hurst Planetarium, Ella Sharp Museum. Event page here.

Jackson Camera Club Meeting.  7 PM to 9 PM.  All those interested in photography are invited to join the Jackson Camera Club at their meeting on June 21, 2023 at 7:00 pm at Christoff and Sons Flooring, in the Toy House Community Room at 400 N Mechanic Street, Jackson.  If you’d like to join in showing your photos, you can bring one photo in each category on a USB drive. We ask that they be 2000 pixels on the longest side, if possible. The three categories for June are: assignment – motion; nature; and photographer’s choice. Although meetings are aimed at adults, all photo content must be “family friendly.”

Jackson Festival for the Arts June Open Meeting.  Join us WEDNESDAY JUNE 21st for an open meeting for the inaugural Jackson Festival for the Arts.  Meeting will be held from 6 – 8 pm and is a great way for those looking to get involved with our festival to get started. Lean Rocket Lab, 133 West Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson. Please contact us at jacksonartsfest@monsterboxtheatre.com

Gear Up:  The Science of Bikes.  New exhibit now open at Ella Sharp Museum.  From schoolyards and mountain trails to bustling city streets, we encounter bicycles nearly every day. Since its inception in the late 19th century, the bicycle has affected how people live, work, and play. Its popularity has only grown over time, and it is as relevant today as it was 100 ago.  Visitors of GEAR UP will learn how bikes work, the science and technology behind the machine as well as the history and evolution of the bike and how bikes have impacted our culture.  Like the bicycle itself, this exhibition has been designed to appeal to people of all ages with diverse interests, from STEM to design to history to art.

JSO Community Music School Summer Registration.  Register now for new classes and workshops running from June through August to fit your busy schedule.  Among the offerings:  Rock Camp.   Musicians can experience what it’s like to be part of a band in this class. At the end of the workshop take your skills on stage with a performance at the Michigan Theatre!  Songwriting.  Learn a skill that will give you a lifelong hobby and walk away from this workshop with your first original song!  And many more!  Details and registration here.

AWARE Kids Summer Clothing Drive.  Help us support the children at the Aware Shelter! Every donation of new kids clothing, shoes, and/or underwear gets one entry to win 4 tickets to see Nathaniel Rateliff on August 4, 2023. This directly impacts children here in Jackson, MI please help us BE the difference! Donations can be dropped off at Nevermore Decor Store, 143 East Michigan Ave, Downtown Jackson. Regular business hours.   New Clothes Only!  Drive runs through the month of June.