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, as they may be canceled due to bad weather or COVID-19. If any listing is inaccurate or to submit an event, contact Julie Norwood at 231-592-8358 or julie.norwood@pioneergroup.com. (Deadline is noon Sundays for Tuesday’s paper and noon Wednesday for Friday’s paper.)
Awareness Day for SMA: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Northend Riverside Park, North Fourth Avenue, Big Rapids. a summer festival featuring food trucks, raffles, games, face painting, children’s activities, and more to raise awareness about spinal muscular atrophy.
Old Settlers Picnic and Cemetery Walk: Picnic begins at noon Aug. 19 at School Section Lake in Canadian Lakes. Cemetery Walk is 2-3 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Morgan West Wheatland Cemetery, on 55th Avenue between 10 Mile Road and 11 Mile Road in Wheatland Township.
Rodeo on the Pond: 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at 555 Sixth St., Morley. A fully sanctioned rodeo featuring bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie down, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, break away roping, mini bull riding and a boot scramble. Cost: adults $15, kids $10, kids under 6 are free. For more information, search “Rodeo On The Pond” on Facebook.
Summerfest City-Wide Rummage Sale: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Big Rapids City Hall parking lot, 226 N Michigan Ave, Big Rapids. Hosted by Big Rapids Voca Lyrica.
Downtown Summerfest: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 26 in the Big Rapids City Hall parking lot, downtown Big Rapids. Features car show (registration begins at 9 a.m.), bounce house, cornhole tournaments, craft show, music, kids activities and more.
Walk for Suicide Awareness: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Northend Riverside Park. North 4th Avenue and Trestle Drive, Big Rapids. An annual two mile walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Light lunch to follow. For more information, visit facebook.com/ChooseToStay18.
Pork for a Purpose Benefit: 4 p.m. Aug. 26 at 8700 180th Ave. Stanwood. Features dinner (4 p.m), a silent and live auction (following dinner), 50/50 raffle and cornhole tournament (sign ups starts at 10:30 a.m.). Proceeds to benefit a local family.
ONGOING PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES
Summer Play and Learn: June 12-Aug. 25 at various locations. Open to families in Mecosta and Osceola counties.
10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Big Rapids Community Library, 426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids.
10-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Bromley Park, 395 W. Main St., Mecosta.
5-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Morley Community Center, 151 7th St., Morley.
10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Evart Splash Pad, 317 S. River St., Evart.
Big Rapids Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays (May 3-Oct. 27) and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays (May 23-Sept. 26) in the city hall parking lot, 226 N. Michigan Ave. Big Rapids.
Pocket Park Concert Series: Noon to 1 p.m. Fridays (June 2-Sept. 1) downtown Big Rapids
Hemlock Park Bandshell Summer Concerts: 7 p.m. Wednesdays (June 21-Aug. 16) at Hemlock Park Bandshell, Hemlock Street, along the Riverwalk behind Big Rapids Middle School. (Concert schedule for July 5 has been canceled.)
Music on the River Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at Bromley Park, 395 W. Main St., Mecosta. Bands include Mark Swanson Trio (Aug. 18) and Sea Cruisers (Aug. 25).
Morton Township Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Saturdays, June 3-Sept. 20, at Morton Township Business Park, 7217 9 Mile Road, Mecosta.
Lakeside Motor Sports Summer Concert Series: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 19; at Reuther Music Pavilion in Canadian Lakes. Free and open to the public. For a schedule of bands, visit facebook.com/canadianlakesreuthermusicpavilion.
Kiwanis Club of the Big Rapids Area: 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at United Church Fellowship Hall, 120 S. State, Big Rapids. For more information, visit facebook.com/bigrapidsmikiwanis.
Mecosta County Historical Museum: New summer hours, 1-3 p.m. Saturdays at 129 S. Stewart Ave., Big Rapids. For more information or to schedule a private tour, call 520-334-0123, 231-796-4662, or 231-867-3311.
Mecosta County Genealogical Society: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 10-2 p.m. second Saturday of each month, 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.
Reed City Heritage Museum: Open from 1-4 p.m. Friday through Tuesday at 138 W. Slosson Ave., Reed City. Free Admission. Groups are welcome.
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.
Morley Community Center: 151 7th St., Morley. For more information, visit morleycenter.org/events or call 231-856-4496.
Cardio Drumming: 1-2 p.m. Sundays
Pickleball: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; 5-7 p.m. Thursdays.
Open Gym: 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays.
Garage Sales: Every other Friday and Saturday (Feb. 17-18, March 3-4, etc.).
Blood Drive: 1-7 p.m. second Monday of odd numbered months
Wheatland Jamboree: 2-5 p.m. the second Saturday of the month through November, at Wheatland Cabin, 7251 50th Ave, Remus. (Informal jam session for acoustic musicians. Free and open to the public)
Community Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Third Avenue United Methodist Church, 226 N. Third Ave., Big Rapids. The community lunch program has re-opened.This is a free meal service, although donations are appreciated. For more information call 231-796-4157 or 231-796-6779.
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, veges, roll, beverage and pie. Cost: $10. Proceeds support the senior center.
ARTWORKS CLASSES, EXHIBITS
106 N. Michigan Ave. in Big Rapids / 231-796-2420 / artworksinbigrapids.org
Artist Demos: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, at Artworks (Aug. 18 and Aug. 25).
Wine and Canvas: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18. A unique social painting experience that guides participants through an acrylic painting. Bring your own beverage and snack. No experience necessary; all materials provided. Cost: $40. Register at artworksinbigrapids.org/painting.
Artist-in-Residence Exhibit Opening Reception: 7-8 p.m. Friday. Aug. 18.
Paint Your Pet: 10 a.m.-2p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Provide a picture of your pet prior to class, which will be traced onto a 16-inch-by-20-inch canvas. Cost: $60. Register at .artworksinbigrapids.org/painting.
Open Pottery: 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost: $10 per session, $60 for an eight-session punch card. (Additional firing fees apply. Clay may be purchased in bulk for $20 per 25 lbs.) Call 231-796-2420 to schedule your session.
Exhibit — Tom Reverman: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday in Artworks’ Alley Gallery. Reverman is a self-taught pyrography/colored pencil artist and graphic designer. Through his artwork, you can see his passion for wildlife, and his unique take on the natural world.
Exhibit — American Quilts: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, July 7-Sept. 10, in Artworks Batdorff Gallery.