Muskegon County Calendar of Events 08/29/16 – 09/05/16

Presented by the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Muskegon Dog Park Kick Off
August 30 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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This is for pups and their families to raise money for Muskegon’s new Dog Park! Join the Coffee Factory on Tuesday, August 30 from 4:00-8:00pm at 930 Washington Ave. There will be Watch Us Go items for sale, hot dogs and yummy treats for the friendly canines present! Also a photo booth to get that special photo. Proceeds benefit the new Dog Park in downtown Muskegon. Dogs must be kept on leash at this event. https://www.facebook.com/thecoffeefactorymuskegon

We Are Stars
Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
There’s a new show at the Carr-Fles Planetarium!  “We Are Stars” is a 35-minute, family-friendly adventure that that spans the billions of years between the Big Bang and modern day, and follows the thread that connects us all to those early times through the atoms from which our bodies are formed.  Where did they come from?  How did they get here?  And is it true that we really are all made of stars?  The science content is most appropriate for ages 11 and up; however, the entrancing animation and award-winning soundtrack will draw all ages into the magical universe created within this incredible show.  No reservations are needed for this FREE program, which runs August 23 – October 27 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm (doors open by 6:45), and includes a brief demonstration of the current night sky.  The planetarium is in room 135 of Muskegon Community College (221 S. Quarterline Rd, Muskegon).  For more information, or to schedule a private show for groups of 15-44, please call (231) 777-0289 or email tamera.owens@muskegoncc.edu.

“As She Is” – Film & Discussion
August 30 @ 7:00 pm
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Tuesday, August 30 at 7:00pm, come to the Book Nook & Java Shop for a screening and discussion of “As She Is” with director Megan McFeely.  The film teaches that reclaiming our instinctive way of knowing, our insight, our native certainty is not beyond reach.  With lush imagery, a moving soundtrack and candid interviews, this timely documentary explores the radical and undeniable truth that our individual happiness and our very chances at human survival depend upon receptive, connective, life-giving feminine strengths.

Come early for dinner, featuring Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Chicken, Side Salad and Dinner Roll with Herb Butter for only $7.95.  For more information, call 231-894-5333.

Cruise-Ins at Fricano Place
August 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Cruise-Ins at Fricano Place are back every Wednesday starting May 4 (weather permitting) from 5:00-8:30pm.  Antiques, customs, classics and novelty vehicles are all welcome.  Enjoy oldies music and door prizes, too!  Come on down and check out some unique cars and enjoy some Fricano’s pizza and Sweet Treats from Fricano’s Sweet Shoppe!  All Cruise-In participants will be given a coupon for $3 off a dine-in or take-out Fricano’s Pizza purchase.  For more information, call 231-722-7775.

Art & a Glass: Thursday Happy Hour at the MMA
September 1 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Every Thursday from 4:00-8:00pm you’re invited to the Muskegon Museum of Art for “Art & a Glass!” Bring your friends to a museum-style happy hour! Take a break and enjoy the art with a glass of wine or a great craft brew. General admission is free Thursday evenings from 4:00 to 8:00 pm so take advantage of the opportunity to discover your Museum at no cost. There will be a cash bar. You must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. For more information call 231-720-2570.

Tales Untold
September 1 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
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Featured as an Emerging Artist August 30 to October 15 at the Arts Council of White Lake’s Nuveen Center is Kat VanderWeele of East Grand Rapids.  “Tales Untold” underlies the limner’s stage of life and foretells plans for the art work on display.  An opening reception will be 5:00 to 7:00pm, September 1.

VanderWeele began making art as a child, inventing characters, creatures and complementary stories.  Her passion led to a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, with a major in Illustration, from Kendall College of Art and Design.  Media that bring her characters to life include acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, pen and ink, graphite and gouache. Her work has been exhibited at numerous venues in Grand Rapids, including ArtPrize, and she has won several art scholarships and awards.

The Arts Council of White Lake is a 30-year old Non-Profit.  We provide numerous opportunities for the White Lake community and surrounding cities to view, listen to, create and learn from the arts, and we give support and encouragement to artists and arts organizations. The Nuveen Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information call 231-893-2524 or find us online at www.artswhitelake.org and on Facebook.

Sailor Salute!
September 1 @ 7:00 pm
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Thursday, September 1 at Mona Shores High School during the football game with Zeeland West High School, there will be a community-wide salute to pay tribute to those who serve our country and community.  The event honors active duty military, veterans and first responders including police, fire and emergency personnel.  Anyone dressed in military, police, fire and first responders will be admitted free.  Veterans should have their veteran identification card. Family members will be charged the regular admission fee of $5 for adults and $3 for students.

With area police, fire, emergency responders and Veterans present to be honored, the aim is for thousands of Muskegon area residents to lift their voices as one  singing “God Bless America” and our “National Anthem,” accompanied by the Mona Shores Marching Band.  Festivities and static displays of military and first responder vehicles will happen prior to the game.  The pre-game patriotic sing-along, a military fly-over, a parade of motorcyclists surrounding the field and plenty of other activities are planned.

Donations will be collected for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.  For more information, call 231-780-4711, ext. 8312.

Polish Festival
September 2 – September 4
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The first annual Muskegon Polish Festival will take place over Labor Day weekend September 2-4 at historic Hackley Park in Downtown Muskegon! This 3-day festival will offer Polish food polka music dancing cultural activities a children’s tent a Catholic mass and much more. Everyone is invited for an authentic Polish experience at a unique venue in the heart of Muskegon. For more information call Ellen at 231-750-4970.

Friday, September 2

  • Stan Mroz Polka Band 12:00-4:00pm
  • Box On Polka Band 5:00-9:00pm

Saturday, September 3

  • Dyna Brass Polka Band and The New Brass Express 12:00-4:00pm
  • Box On Polka Band 5:00-9:00pm

Scenic Cruises
September 2 & 3 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 from 2:00-3:30pm, spend an hour and a half aboard the Port City Princess experiencing a water’s view of Muskegon while learning about our county’s history in the process.  The cost is $25 per person.  Call 231-728-8387 for reservations or more information.

First Fridays Street Performer Series
September 2 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Muskegon’s new Street Performer Series will take over the sidewalks, street corners and stages of downtown Muskegon on the First Friday of every month!  On each night, dozens of performers will be positioned along Western Avenue from 6:00-8:00pm. Performers include puppeteers, magicians, face-painters, fire-performers, chalk artists, belly dancers, barbershop quartets and more. Guests can also enjoy ice cream, shaved ice and balloon animals.  For more information, “Like” the First Friday and Street Performer Series Facebook pages.

Dinner/Dance Aboard the Port City Princess
September 2 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Friday, September 2 from 7:00-9:30pm, unwind after a busy week with a Dinner/Dance aboard the Port City Princess!  The cost is $55 and there will be a cash bar. For reservations or more information, call 231-728-8387.

11th Annual Run for Sight
September 3 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am
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Saturday, September 3, you’re invited to participate in the 11th Annual Run for Sight!  100% of the proceeds from this 5K Run and 5K Walk will be donated to the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Run For Sight is a 5K Run/Walk along beautiful Lake Michigan at Pere Marquette Park.  There’ll be first, second and third place medals in 14 different age categories for 9 years old and up in the 5K Run.  This visually stunning race path will be shared with friends who are visually impaired, who will walk the route after the runners begin.  Run For Sight 5K Run/Walk begins at with registration at 7:00am in the parking lot between the Coast Guard Festival and Margaret Drake Elliot Park.  The 5K Run is competitive and the 5K Walk is family, stroller and dog friendly, but remember; dogs must be on a leash and picked up after.  The 5K Run starts at 8:30am with the 5K Walk starting just a few minutes after.  5K Run awards will take place around 9:30am. For more information, visit www.run4sight.com.

Artisan Market
September 3 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Arts Council of White Lake is hosting an Artisan Market, on the first Saturday of the summer months, right across the street from the Farmers Market in Montague. On July 2, August 6, and September 3 from 9:00am- 1:00pm, a variety of vendors will be selling their handmade items., including soap, jewelry, and other art items. Come support local artists and find unique gifts for yourself or a loved one. For more information call 231-893-2524 or visit www.artswhitelake.org.

End of Summer Sunset Smorgasbord
September 3 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday, September 3 from 7:00-9:00pm, come aboard the Port City Princess for the “End of Summer Sunset Smorgasbord!”  Don’t miss out on one of the final opportunities to enjoy dinner and dancing while enjoying a breathtaking sunset on Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan.  The cost is $55 per person.  Call 231-728-8387 for more information or reservations.

Maranatha Summer Concert Series: Captivating Keyboards
September 3 @ 9:00 pm
In conjunction with Kids Alive International, Alan Tripp and Scott Griffin perform as the Captivating Keyboards duo, striving to serve the Lord through their music. Their fun, creative interactive musical production will engage and inspire audiences as they perform at the Tabernacle on the grounds of Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference on Saturday, September 3 at 7 p.m. ET.

Admission is FREE and open to the public; however, priority seating may be purchased with a meal ticket. The meal will start at 5 p.m. ET.

Dinner Buffet Pricing:

Adults 14+: $ 16.30 + tax
10-14yr olds: $ 10.30 + tax
5-9yr olds: $ 8.30 + tax
4 and Under: Free
To reserve your dinner tickets, please call the front desk at 231-798-2161.

12th Annual Labor Day Cars For Cancer
September 4 @ 7:00 am – September 5 @ 4:00 pm
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Sunday and Monday, September 4-5, come to the Mercy Health Lakes Village as the Different Strokes Car Club presents the 12th Annual Labor Day Cars for Cancer event!  100% of the proceeds go to Mercy Health Johnsons Family Cancer Care.  In the first 11 years of this car show and cruise, they have raised over $ 150,000 for this worthy cause.  Enter to win a 1963 Serro Scotty Gaucho 13 ft. trailer!  Search on Facebook for Muskegon’s Labor Day Cars For Cancer or e-mail tradrod51@aol.com for more information.

10th Annual Labor Day Walk/ Fun Run
September 5 @ 8:00 am
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This annual Muskegon County community event is to celebrate the beauty of our environment and promote the health of our community. Check in / onsite registration is at 8:00am. Event is not a chip-timed, but a start/end clock will be on site. Commemorate your day with a t-shirt! www.shorelinecity.com

Annual Labor Day Breakfast
September 5 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
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Monday, September 5 from 8:00am-12:00pm, come to the Margaret Drake Elliott Park at beautiful Pere Marquette Beach for the Muskegon Lions’ Annual Labor Day Breakfast!  The cost is $7 for people 13 and over, $3 for kids 3-12 and kids under 3 are free.  Enjoy a great pancake breakfast on Lake Michigan while helping to support the Lions in their effort to make a brighter day for someone else.  For more information, call 231-744-1904.

West Michigan United Labor Day Parade
September 5 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Labor Day is the holiday in which we recognize and celebrate the contribution of all America’s workers to the growth and continued vitality of our Nation. Everybody loves a parade! This is an all-inclusive community parade through the streets of downtown Muskegon. The parade will start 11:00am on Monday September 5 and will end approximately around 12:30pm. They are planning a fun filled FREE post parade celebration following the parade that will go until 4:00pm. They will have food by Greek Tony’s, refreshments, cotton candy, games, prizes, face painting, bounce houses, arts n’ crafts and much more! For more information or an application to be in the Labor Day Parade, please contact Jana at 231-638-2741 or Jana@unitedwaylakeshore.org.

The parade starts at the intersection of 4th street and Western Avenue. It will progress down Western Avenue to Jefferson Street (turning right) and heading towards Clay Avenue. The march will continue down Clay Avenue and end at Hackley Park for a post parade celebration!