Friday, May 24
Grand River Farmers Market. 9 AM to 2 PM. You’re invited to join us along the Grand River downtown for a healthy dose of good food, good music, and good community! We’ve got dozens of weekly rotating vendors offering seasonal fruits & veggies, baked goods, meats, coffee, cheese, home goods, jewelry, plants, flowers, prepared foods and much more. Open rain or shine! Corner of Glick and Mechanic Street, Downtown Jackson.
Cascades Kick Start to Summer. 6 PM. Join us at The Cascades for opening night at the Kickstart to Summer! Food trucks and fun from 5 to 8 PM. Food trucks include: West Texas BBQ, Junkyard 2 Go, M&M Heavenly Foods, Burnt Honey, Ben’s Island Grinz, Callaghan’s Coffee. Historical marker unveiling (see next item).
Jackson County MI Historical Society Marker Unveiling Ceremony. Unveiling of the “Cascades” historical marker at the county park on 1401 S. Brown St., Summit Township, at 6 p.m. The JCMHS marker, which commemorates the illuminated man-made waterfall created in 1932, was researched by JCMHS Trustee Linda Hass and co-sponsored by JCMHS and the Jackson County Park Dept. The marker includes a historic view of the landmark and contains a portrait and brief biography of its founder, William “Cap” Sparks. This special event kicks off the annual opening of the Cascades for the season!
Downtown Cruise In and Concert. 6 PM to 9 PM. Concert by Big Foot Bob and the Toe Tappers. Join us for our free family oriented event featuring cars on display throughout the streets of downtown Jackson and a live concert in True Community City Square. The Cruise In will be going on from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with vendors including food trucks located at the intersection of Jackson St. and W. Michigan Ave. (By Fields Building). Presented by the Jackson Downtown Development Authority.
Downtown Cruise In Book Sale. 5 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by Friends of the Jackson District Library. On the sidewalk in front of the Carnegie Library. We will have a selection of Adult and Children’s Books, DVDs and Video Games. Proceeds go to support programs at the JDL. Come check out our selection.
Pints & Pistons Vintage Motorcycle Exhibition and Your Generation in Concert. Grand River Brewery invites you to enjoy two days of fun for Pints & Pistons, Friday and Saturday. Friday is the first night of our Summer Concert Series, featuring Your Generation in Concert! Join us for our annual Pints & Pistons – a regional exhibit of rare and vintage motorcycles! Classic bikes from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s – Nortons, BSAs, Kawasakis and more. Your Generation will be playing at 7pm to Kick off our summer concert series. Tickets will be $10 for entry, VIP tickets will be $50. VIP Ticket holders will get a free GRB pint glass, a free limited edition Pints and Pistons t-shirt, and free food from the buffet. Outside bar will be provided during the event. Event page and tickets here.
Vineyard Jams at Cherry Creek Cellars. $5 Cover Charge, Outdoor Seating, Lawn Chairs Welcome, Full Beverage Menu, Limited Cafe’ Menu. Friday May 24: Act III (7-10pm). Food Truck: Cousins Maine Lobster. 11500 Silver Lake Highway @ US 12, Brooklyn. cherrycreekwine.com.
CANCELED – WEATHER 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.
Lost in Austin Live at Ironbark. 7 PM to 10 PM. For twenty years, Lost in Austin has been mastering his guitar playing skills. Watch him throw everything he’s learned out the window while he attempts to cover anything from Celine Dion to Dead Kennedys. Prepare to be gently assaulted by a one-man acoustic set that’s fueled by love, rage and lust. Ironbark Brewing Company, 2610 Kibby Road, Jackson.
Al Glick Youth Football Camp Registration Now Open. Sign-up is open on line for the 5th Al Glick Youth Football Camp – Sunday, June 9 2024. The camp is open to Jackson County kids entering the 4th – 9th grade in the Fall of 2024, and will be held at Dungy Field, Withington Stadium at Jackson High School, 544 Wildwood in Jackson. Camp: 10am to 2pm (Check in at 9:00am). Tuition: $15 per camper. Campers receive: Camp t-shirt, Draw string bag, Breakfast & Lunch, Special Guest Speakers, Non-contact instruction by current High School Coaches & Collegiate & Professional players. Register by Friday May 31 by visiting facebook.com/alglickyouthfootballcamp, or sign-up online https://buff.ly/3VMCWIK Or in person at Jackson City Hall, Parks & Recreation, 161 W. Michigan Avenue, Downtown Jackson.
Saturday, May 25
Memorial Day Fireworks Show at The Cascades. Gates will be opening at 6 PM. Bernadette Kathryn and The Lonely Days Band will be bringing the entertainment. Huge thank you to our sponsor: Jackson Little Caesars! Admission: Children (4-12) $5.00, Regular: (13 and up) $7.00, Senior: (65 and up) $5.00. Fireworks at Dusk.
Vineyard Jams at Cherry Creek Cellars. $5 Cover Charge, Outdoor Seating, Lawn Chairs Welcome, Full Beverage Menu, Limited Cafe’ Menu. Saturday May 25: Big L & Code Blu (7-10pm). Food Truck: Rollin’ Hoagies. 11500 Silver Lake Highway @ US 12, Brooklyn cherrycreekwine.com
National Wine Day Celebration. 6 PM to 10 PM. It’s National Wine Day during Michigan Wine Month! What better way to celebrate then trying new wines and listening to amazing live music! Get $10 wine flights and hear Chris Canas from 6-9pm! We’re open ’til 10pm! Cheers! Wine Release Tasting Notes: Blushing Crane – Ripe cherry and guava with hints of strawberry. A fun wine for sitting on the deck and enjoying the sunshine! Sandhill Crane Vineyards, 4724 Walz Road, Jackson.
Steampunk on the Bricks. 2 PM to 10 PM. Step into a world where the elegance of Victorian-era style collides with the ingenuity of an imagined future! Art 634 proudly presents Steampunk on the Bricks, an extraordinary steampunk themed festival that includes live music, art show, 2 vendor markets, performers, make & take workshops, gaming area, cash bar, food trucks, and more! Check out the website, visit:https://www.steampunkonthebricks.org
Ella Sharp Museum Adult Prom Fundraiser. 7 PM to 10 PM. Join us for a night full of fun, music, drinks and a chance to dress up and enjoy a night out. The night will include 1 drink ticket per person, cash bar, dessert, wine pull fundraiser, raffles, and best dressed award! This event is reserved for adults, 21 and up. Price: $100 per couple ($75 for members). Tickets and event page here.
Sunday, May 26
Vineyard Jams at Cherry Creek Cellars. $5 Cover Charge, Outdoor Seating, Lawn Chairs Welcome, Full Beverage Menu, Limited Cafe’ Menu. Sunday May 26: Phoenix Theory (6-9pm). Food Truck: Ben’s Island Grinds. 11500 Silver Lake Highway @ US 12, Brooklyn cherrycreekwine.com
Memorial Day, Monday May 27
Memorial Day Mass. 9 AM. Please join us for Memorial Day Mass at St. John Cemetery. Outside at the cemetery’s altar. Bring your own lawn chairs for seating. In the event of inclement weather the mass will be moved to St. John the Evangelist Church.
Clarklake Memorial Day Parade. 8:30 AM. The traditional community parade travels down Hyde Road, Clarklake.
Jackson Memorial Day Parade. Jackson County Veterans Council presents the annual Memorial Day Parade starting in downtown Jackson, at the corner of West Michigan Avenue and Jackson Street. The parade travels south on Jackson Street to Greenwood Avenue and Rockwell Street. A ceremony including the laying of the wreaths follows at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery (at the end of the parade route).
Brooklyn Memorial Day Salute presented by The American Legion. The American Legion Wilber-Bartlett Post 315 will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday May 27th in the Brooklyn Town Square at 10:00 am. Members of the community are invited to gather with us to remember those who have fallen. The Honor Guard will march from Chicago Street at 10 am and position themselves in the Square at 10:10 am. ALL VETERANS who wish to participate may follow the Honor Guard and take position behind them. Mark Young will speak in honor of all veterans with the ceremony following. The Honor Guard will return to the Post. There will be no parade but the Post will be open from 10:30 am – 4 pm for any member or guest who wishes to stop.
Concord Memorial Day Parade. 10 AM. Parade begins on Homer Road in front of the Post Office. The parade will proceed south on Main Street to Maple Grove Cemetery where a service will follow. All veterans, veteran organizations, scouts and marching bands are encouraged to participate.
Grass Lake Memorial Day. 10 AM. Parade and events are hosted by the American Legion. Services begin at 10 AM Monday, May 27, at the Grass Lake Veterans Memorial, 132 W. Michigan Ave.
African American Veteran’s Memorial Garden Memorial Day Ceremony and Celebration. 12 PM to 2 PM. We celebrate the honorable African American men and women who served, struggled, advanced, and positively changed the structure of the United States of America, locally and around the world. Celebrate with us we honor you! We stand by you! We honor you! Featuring Mayor Daniel Mahoney, MSgt Michael Nichols, Researcher Linda Hass, Artist/ Illustrator Jerome Washington, 102nd USCT Co. C Living Historians, City Officials, Representatives, Youth presentations, Living Stories, and a Special Garden Dedication! Presented by 102nd United States Colored Troops Company C, at YPOP Gardens, 151 Rockwell St, Jackson.
Spring Arbor Memorial Day Parade. 1 PM. Parade runs along Ogle Avenue. Kid’s activities, including cotton candy, face painting, a bounce house and popcorn, at noon at The Arbor Church, 120 E. Main St. A Memorial Day Service at 12 PM in front of the township hall at 107 E. Main St. precedes the parade.
Jackson County MI Historical Society Marker Unveiling Ceremony. Unveiling of the “Nottawa Sepee Trail” historical marker in Kimball Park, 303 Nottawa Sepee St., Napoleon Township, at 3 p.m. The marker, commemorating a trail used by Indians before and after European settlers arrived, was researched by JCMHS Trustee Dan Wymer and sponsored by JCMHS. Wymer, who also serves as president of the Michigan Archeological Society, has spent several years researching Indian campsites and excavating artifacts throughout the county. One of the oldest artifacts in the state of Michigan is illustrated on the marker.
