Looking for something to do? Here is a list of nonprofit and community events happening across the region.
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Looking for something to do? The Stay Local events calendar publishes a list of nonprofit and community events Tuesdays and Fridays. Please check with your club or organization to be certain of meetings, outings and classes. If any listing is inaccurate or to submit an event, Darren Iozia be emailing darren.iozia@hearst.com. (Deadline is noon Sundays for Tuesday’s paper and noon Wednesday for Friday’s paper.)
Cub Scout Pack 3114’s Halloween Party: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Northend Riverside Park, North Fourth Avenue, Big Rapids: Boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to a night of games, snacks and a costume contest at Pack 3114’s Halloween recruitment party.
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WELCA Fall Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 22275 Four Mile Road, Reed City. Craft sale, book sale, bake sale, luncheon (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and drawing.
OBK’s Night of Fright: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at Our Brother’s Keeper, 405 S. Third Ave., Big Rapids. A spine-chilling, fun-filled haunted backyard experience. Groups of 10 at a time for 10-15 minutes. Cost: $10. Benefits Our Brother’s Keeper by helping to provide shelter, meals and resources.
Clay Cliffs Restoration Volunteer Tree Planting: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Clay Cliffs Nature Park, 101 Hutchinson St., Big Rapids. Come plant trees, help clear brush from the new trail. For more information, including where to find free tickets, visit facebook.com/MuskegonRiverWatershedAssembly.
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Skeleton Skurry 5K Run/Walk/Roll: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25, at Big Rapids City Hall, 226 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. For all ages and abilities. Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers and best costume. Proceeds benefit Angels of Action. Register at: skeletonskurry.eventbrite.com.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at all Michigan State Police posts. Bring your unwanted medications to be destroyed, no questions asked. Liquids, inhalers, patches and syringes will not be accepted. To find a collection site near you, visit Michigan.gov/MSPPosts.
Big Rapids DBA Fall Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, on North Michigan Avenue, downtown Big Rapids. A family friendly event featuring trunk or treat (noon to 2 p.m.), inflatables, games and kids fun area (noon to 4 p.m.), food trucks (noon to 4 p.m.), pumpkin roll (3 p.m.), pie eating contest and more.
Fox on the Docks Halloween Bash: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Fox Marine, 8939 11 Mile Road, Mecosta. Trick or treating, food truck, games, free candy, scavenger hunt, giveaways and prizes. Stop in between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20-25 to enter a pumpkin decorating contest. Age brackets: 6 years old and younger, ages 7-12 and ages 13-17. Judging happens Saturday Oct. 25.
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Janowicz Family Funeral Home Truck or Treat: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Janowicz Family Funeral Home, 469 W. Wheatland Ave., Remus.
Chili Cook Off: 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Stanwood Eagles, 7200 Stanwood Drive, Stanwood. Open to the public. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics.
Morley’s Monster Mashup: 3:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, downtown Morley.
- Family Fall Festival & Fundraising Bake Sale: 3:30-5 p.m. at the Morley Community Center, 151 Seventh St., Morley.
- Trunk or Treat & Trunk Decorating Contest: 5-7 p.m. at Celebration Acres, 555 6th Street Morley.
- Halloween Dance & Costume Contest: 7:30-9 p.m. at The Morley American Legion, 2560 Northland Drive, Morley.
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Paris Trunk-or-Treat: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Paris Park, 22090 Northland Drive. This event is a Halloween celebration for the children and families of Paris and neighboring areas. Featuring a Trunk-or-Treat, Just B’s Facepainting, Fauxlaroid Portraits, Halloween basket raffle, scavenger hunt, yard games and more.
Family Halloween Night: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Chippewa Hills High School. Featuring Haunted House Walk, trick-or-treating in the high school’s hallways, and games. Kids ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Blood Drive: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 407 Perry Ave., Big Rapids. Walk-ins welcome, appointments preferred. Call 866-642-5663 or visit versiti.org/mi.
Evening with Curtis Chin: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. Curtis Chin shares his life growing up as a gay Chinese American kid in 1980s Detroit in his memoir, “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.”
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Halloween Skate: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Big Rapids Roller Rink, 321 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. Admission $2, Rental $2. Wear your costume and receive free admission (rental extra). Features all ages costume contest, games, prizes, spooky music and candy grab.
BRHS Haunted Hallways: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Big Rapids High School, 21175 15 Mile Road, Big Rapids. Enter the main office doors, and exit the rotunda doors. No re-entry, and no entrance downstairs. Recommended for middle school age and older. Cost: $5 per person, $20 for group of five.
Haunted Library: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Big Rapids Community Library, 426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. Features spooky crafts, trick-or-treating and a Killer Clown Scavenger Hunt. For all ages. Register online at www.bigrapidslibrary.org/events
Halloween Day: Trunk-or-Treat
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- Mecosta VFW Trunk-or-Treat: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the Albert Schiffer Post 2335, 1050 W. Main St., Mecosta.
- Royal View Assisted Living Trunk-or-Treat: 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at 9100 Buchanan Road, Mecosta.
- Peacock Real Estate Trunk-or-Treatt: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at 18030 3 Mile Road, Morley.
- Big Rapids FMC Trunk-or-Treat: 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at the corner of West Pere Marquette and Marion Avenue, Big Rapids
- Stanwood Eagles Trunk-or-Treat: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 7200 Stanwood Drive, Stanwood
- St. Mary’s Trunk-or-Treat: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at St. Mary Catholic School, 919 Marion Ave., Big Rapids.
- St. Peter’s Trunk-or-Treat: 5:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, east parking lot, 408 W. Bellevue St., Big Rapids.
Halloween Day: Trick-or-Treat hours
- City of Big Rapids: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
- Village of Mecosta: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
ONGOING PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES
Oxford Farm: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 26, at 1799 S. 155th Ave., Hersey. Corn maze: $5, kids ages 5 and younger are free. Special nights: Glowing Pumpkin Trail (7-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Cost: $10/person)
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Four Green Fields Farm: Noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. Sundays, from Sept. 28-Oct. 29, at 15693 Wilson Road, Rodney. Corn maze: $3, kids younger than age 5 free; Horse drawn wagon rides: $2; Haunted maze: $5. (Hours: 8-10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 10-25).
Big Rapids Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, May 9-Oct. 31, in the parking lot next to Bernie’s Place, 226 N. Michigan Ave.
Mecosta Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday, at the Mecosta VFW, 1050 W. Main St., Mecosta.
Barryton Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays until October at Central/Stearns Park, at Stearns Street and Rose Avenue in Barryton.
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Partners in Play: 3:30 p.m. second Tuesday each month at St Mary Catholic School, 927 Marion Ave., Big Rapids. Children ages 3-6 and their parents are invited for an hour of child-centered play time after school in the preschool classroom. Everybody is welcome.
Mecosta County Historical Museum: 1-3 p.m. Saturdays at 129 S. Stewart Ave., Big Rapids. The museum is opening for the season. NEW NUMBER: 231-287-5291. Call for questions or to schedule a private tour. Leave your name and phone number, and a museum volunteer will return the call as soon as possible.
Mecosta County Genealogical Society: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. second Saturday of each month; 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays from May to the end of September; or by appointment, at 424 N. Fourth Ave., Big Rapids, next to Recycle. Open for the public to research genealogy or the history of Mecosta County and surrounding areas. Volunteers needed to help with sorting and indexing. Call Maureen Nelson at 231-250-5555 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Reed City Heritage Museum: Open from 1-4 p.m. Friday through Monday at 138 W. Slosson Ave., Reed City. Free admission. Groups are welcome.
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Mecosta County Sheriff Posse: 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Mecosta County Jail basement training room, 225 S. Stewart Ave., Big Rapids. This volunteer group is always looking for more members. For more info call 231-250-9241.
Wheatland Jamboree: 2-5 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Wheatland Cabin, 7251 50th Ave., Remus. A free informal gathering of acoustic musicians. Open to the public; all levels and abilities welcome.
Playgroup: 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, beginning June 11, at Hillcrest Early Childhood Center, 501 W. Bridge St., Big Rapids. Hosted by MOISD Early On for birth to age 5. Activities include story time, arts and crafts, games, music, dancing, sensory tables, bubbles and more. For more information, call 231-592-9605.
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- Big Rapids Tennis Group: Co-ed matches from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Hemlock Park in the summer/early fall and at the Ferris Racquet Club, 14342 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, in the winter. Players are mostly 60 years old or older with moderate ability.
- Barryton Pickle Ball: 4-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Barryton Elementary School, 19701 30th Ave., Barryton. Cost: Free. All abilities welcome. Search “Barryton Pickleball” on Factbook for more information.
- Morley Pickleball: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays; and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Morley Community Center: 151 E. 7th St., Morley. Requested donation: $5;
- Beginner Pickleball 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, at Morley Community Center: 151 E. 7th St., Morley. Requested donation: $5;
Morley Community Center: 151 E. 7th St., Morley. For more information, visit the Morley Community Center Facebook page or call 231-660-1555.
- Free Kids Play Group: 5-7 p.m. Thursdays, second floor;
- Euchre Night: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Requested donation: $5;
- Community Coffee: 9-11 a.m. Fridays;
- Garage Sales: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays;
- Community Potluck: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. first Thursday of each month;
- Blood Drive: second Monday of odd numbered months;
- Feeding America Food Distribution third Thursday of even numbered months.
Community Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Third Avenue United Methodist Church, 226 N. Third Ave., Big Rapids. Cost: Free, although donations are appreciated. For more information call 231-287-1778.
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Swiss Steak Dinner: 4-6:30 p.m. the last Friday of every month from April-October at the Barryton Senior Center, 71 Northern Ave., Barryton. Open to the public; everyone is welcome. Meal includes Swiss steak, potato, gravy, veggies, roll, beverage and pie. Cost: $12. Proceeds support the senior center.
ARTWORKS CLASSES, EXHIBITS
106 N. Michigan Ave. in Big Rapids / 231-796-2420 / artworksinbigrapids.org
Classes and Workshops: Classes fill up quickly. For the latest, visit artworksinbigrapids.org and click on “classes” in the dropped down menu in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Register online at artworksinbigrapids.org, in person at the Painted Turtle Gift Shop, or by calling 231-796-2420.
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- Open Pottery: 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost: $10 per session, $70 for an eight-session punch card. (Additional fees may apply.);
- After School Art: 3:45-5:15 p.m. Wednesdays. For ages 7-13. Cost: Free. Class capacity is 12 children; drop-ins are welcome on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is encouraged by calling 231-796-2420 no earlier than the Monday prior to each week’s class.
Artworks Clubs: All groups are free and open to the public. For more information, visit artworksinbigrapids.org/artworks-clubs.
- Harmonicas Plus: 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays in the lower level. A jam session of amateur musicians who play harmonica, dulcimer, banjo, guitar, melodica and other folk instruments. Bring an instrument and join in, or just listen to the music. Facilitator: George Arndt;
- Woodwackers: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Creative Education Center. Join other wood carvers to create and share tips and tricks of your craft. Facilitator: George Melby;
- Brush Strokes: 10 a.m. to noon the first Thursday of each month in the Creative Education Center. Painters get together to create art and share tips and tricks. Facilitator: Cheryl Gould;
- Hook and Needle: 1-4 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month on the main level and 6-8 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month in the lower level. Knitters and needlepoint artist get together to create and share tips and tricks. Facilitator: Cathy Johnson;
- Big Rapids Camera Club: 6-7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each moth in the lower level. Facilitator: Cathy Miller;
- Novel Tea Book Club: 3-5 p.m. the third Thursday of each month in the lower level. Group reads a book every month to discusses. for a list of book selections, visit artworksinbigrapids.org/artworks-clubs. Facilitator: Barbara Ross.
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Exhibits: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
- Motawi Tiles: Sept. 29-Nov. 1 in the Batdorff Gallery.
