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.)
Barryton Homecoming Days: Aug. 4-6 in downtown Barryton. Features truck and tractor pulls (7 p.m. Aug. 4), parade (11 a.m.. Aug. 5), pedal pull (1 p.m. Aug. 6), car show (noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 6), pig roast (2 p.m. Aug. 6) and various tournaments. For more information, visit facebook.com/BarrytonDays.
Mecosta Mid Michigan Trapping and Predator Calling Free Seminar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Mecosta County Rod and Gun Club, 10622 11 Mile Road (M-20), Mecosta. Registration is set for 8:30-9 a.m. lunch is included.
Family Fun Fair: 1-4 p.m. Saturday Aug. 5, at Crossroads Charter Academy, 215 N. State St., Big Rapids. Features carnival games, popcorn, sno cones, full concession stands, prizes, music and a giant bounce house with a water slide. Cost: Free.
Big Rapids High School All Class Reunion: Begins at 5-11 p.m. Aug. 6 in the 100 block of Michigan Avenue. Features the presentation of the annual Distinguished Alumni Award and Alumni Association Scholarship (at 5:30 p.m.), followed by food for purchase, cash bar, DJ, and more. For more information, visit brhsalumni.com.
Mid-Michigan Civil War Muster Historical Reenactments: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug 5; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug 6, adjacent to Oddfellows Hall at 19307 Grass Lake Road, Big Rapids. Features living history camps, speed shooting contest, period military drills and skits, civil war history program, and Sunday church service. Battle reenactments at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Aug 5; and 2 p.m. Aug 6. Contact tenthmich@yahoo.com or tenthmichiganinfantry.com for more information.
Meals on Wheels Prime Rib Dinner/Prime Shopping: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Mecosta County Commission on Aging & Activity Center, 12954 80th Ave, Mecosta. Dinner includes prime rib or cornish game hen, with sides and dessert, plus an hour of “special early shopping” at annual yard sale. Cost: $25/ticket or $45/two tickets. Proceeds support Mecosta County Meals on Wheels. Reservations must be made ahead of time. Call 231-972-2884.
Harvest Festival and Psychic Fair: Aug. 11-13 at Wolf Run Wildlife & Spiritual Sanctuary, 6879 60th Ave., Remus. For more information, call (347) 979-7701, email info@wolfrunsanctuary.org or visit festival.wrwss.org.
Celebration on the Pond: Aug. 11-12, 555 6th St, Morley. Car and truck show (4 p.m. Aug. 11); Semi Parade of Lights (9 p.m. Aug. 11); and Truck/Tractor Pulls (begins at 11 a.m. Aug. 12). For more information, visit facebook.com/MorleyCelebrationOnThePond. Trunk Sale: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 12 at Chapel of the Lakes Lutheran Church, at 9407 90th Ave. in Mecosta. Vendors set up in the church parking lot and sell items from the trunk of their vehicles or a table next to their vehicles. Hot dogs and bottled water will be available for a freewill donation. Interested vendors must pre-register by calling 231-972-7891 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. Cost for a vendor space is $10.
First Responders Festival/Demolition Derby: Aug. 12 at Mecosta County Fairgrounds, 540 West Ave., Big Rapids. Whiskey Bound concert (2-4 p.m.); first responders tribute (4 p.m.); and Bump-n-Run races (begins at 5 p.m.) Cost: $20 adults, $10 kids 10 and under, free for first responders with ID. Rock4Vets Music Festival: 1 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Osceola County Fairgrounds, 101 Recreation Ave., Evart. Tickets: $45, available at rock4vets.live. Proceeds from the tickets support local veterans.
Hispanic/Latin Culture and Heritage: 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Dewings Center, 202 S. Albert St. LeRoy. Representatives from the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan will be at the center with a presentation, to lead a discussion, and with display items.
Free concert: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 323 S State St, Big Rapids. Features flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. Free-will donation will be accepted. For more information, contact the church at 231-598-9032.
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 Blue Water Ramblers (Aug. 4, Youngman and Oldmen (Aug. 11), 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. July 8, 22; and Aug. 5, 19; at Reuther Music Pavilion in Canadian Lakes. Free and open to the public. For a schedule of bands, visit facebook.com/canadianlakesreuthermusicpavilion.
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
Artworks Summer Camp: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. For ages 7-13. Register online at artworksinbigrapids.org/summer-camps or in person at The Painted Turtle Gift Shop.
Hand Built Pottery, Session 2: Aug. 8-10; Cost is $140.
Artist Demos: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, at Artworks (July 7, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25) and Pocket Park (July 14).
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.