Presented by the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.visitmuskegon.org
Marketing Monday: Facebook Advertising
March 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Monday, March 11 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, come to the Muskegon Innovation Hub for the workshop, “Facebook Advertising for Business!” Learn the ins and outs of how to best use Facebook as a paid platform. Discover all the opportunities for targeting users and gain valuable insight on first steps in the platform. This training will touch on data issues, what to do moving forward, warn about ‘boosting’ posts and talk about the mass opportunity for leads, reach, and traffic from targeted audiences. For more information call 616-331-6900.
Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy
March 11 & 18 @ 6:00 pm
The “Arsenal of Democracy” was a slogan used by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a radio broadcast delivered on December 29, 1940. The phrase was used to arouse popular support for aiding nations in the war prior to the US entry into WWII and continued until the end of the war. During that time, the US provided the Allies with millions of rounds of ammunition, as well as weapons, trucks, tanks and ships. The Americans who worked in countless factories throughout the country truly helped the US manufacture victory in WWII. Join the USS Silversides Submarine Museum most Mondays through May 13 for the lecture series, “Manufacturing Victory: The Arsenal of Democracy!”
All lectures begin at 6:00pm at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. The cost is $5.00 per person or free with your USS Silversides Submarine Museum membership. For more information call (231) 755-1230.
• March 11: Muskegon – Arsenal of Democracy presented by Professor Dan Yakes.
• March 18: Rosie the Riveter presented by Bob Hynes, Executive Director at the Yankee Air Museum.
• March 25: Patent Secrecy Act of 1940 presented by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• April 1: The real topic is Combat Propulsion presented by L-3 Engineering Specialists.
Ardan Academy of Irish Dance
March 11 @ 6:00 pm
Monday, March 11 at 6:00pm, come to Hackley Public Library for a fabulous free performance by the Ardan Academy of Dance, a staple in Irish dance instruction which boasts several national and world qualifying dancers. For more information call (231) 722-8000.
Team Trivia Game Show
Mondays @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Mondays at 6:30pm, come to Racquet’s Downtown Grill for the Team Trivia Game Show! Groups of any size are invited to play for free with prizes for the top three teams! Categories range from pop culture and entertainment, to sports, history, science, culture and general knowledge. Your live host will also offer many genres of music throughout the game, plus, you’ll enjoy food and drink specials each week. For more information, call (231) 726-4007.
Adult Pottery Class, Make a Pet Dish
March 11 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Monday, March 11 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm, come to Northside Clay & Canvas to make a dog or cat bowl! Make the bowl March 11, and then glaze it March 18 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. Your bowl will be ready for pickup March 25. For more information visit http://www.robinnidelcheffstudio.com/classes.html
True Crime in Michigan: Historic Presentation with Tobin T. Buhk
March 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00pm, come to Hackley Public Library for the program “True Crime in Michigan!” Are you fascinated with true crime stories? You’ll hear details about the most notable crimes in our Great Lakes state! Tobin T. Buhk, author of “Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids,” will give a historic presentation on true crime in Michigan. Mark your calendar for this riveting, free program, and get ready for an evening of intrigue and insight! For more information call 231-722-8000.
Planetarium Show: Edge of Darkness
Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 7:00 pm – 7:35 pm
Visit West Michigan’s only free planetarium! Carr-Fles Planetarium on the main campus of Muskegon Community College is showing “Edge of Darkness,” January 15 – March 28 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm – 7:35pm. Using groundbreaking discoveries from recent space missions, this program will take viewers to the dark depths of space across comets, Pluto, and its moons. For more information, call (231) 777-0289.
M.A.R.S. Regional Competition: Destination Deep Space
March 14 – March 16
M.A.R.S (Muskegon Area Robotics Students) Rovers is a non-profit FIRST Robotics organization based in Muskegon. Their teams consists of students grades 4-12. Each season, they learn concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math, put their skills to use in constructing a robot designed to complete specific tasks, and compete with other robots around the state.
In partnership with L3 Technologies, the M.A.R.S. Rovers are pleased to be hosting a regional FRC competition for the first time ever in Muskegon! The competition will take place at Orchard View High School March 14-16. With 40 teams already applied to attend, over 400 students, and over 2000 spectators, it’s sure to be an exciting event you won’t want to miss! For more information call 231-286-4957.
Lakeshore Innovator of the Year Award Reception
March 14 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday, March 14 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, come to Grand Valley State University’s Muskegon Innovation Hub as they launch a new award program that will recognize and celebrate the most innovative ideas on the lakeshore. This new award will recognize the most outstanding innovative idea and can be given to an individual or a team of people from any business, nonprofit, organization or association in the Lakeshore area using innovation to improve their business or organization to better achieve their mission. Join them as they honor the top 5 finalists and celebrate the announcement of the first Lakeshore Innovator of the Year! Enjoy light refreshments and good company. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP by March 7 by calling 616-331-6900.
Comedy Open Mic Night
Thursdays @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Come out to the Tipsy Toad Tavern every Thursday at 7:00pm for Comedy Open Mic Night featuring live comedy from some of the funniest stand-ups currently working and touring! The cost is only $3 at the door unless you are performing! It’s a great time with good food and cold drinks! For more information call (231) 725-7181.
St. Patrick’s Party
March 15 – March 16
The Michigan Irish Music Festival is excited to announce its annual St. Patrick’s Party March 15 and 16 at Bella Maria’s Ristorante & Event Center! The party will feature live entertainment both nights. West Michigan-native band CrossBow can be heard at Irish and Scottish music festivals across the Midwest. Apparent from the moment they hit the stage, these high-energy musicians naturally feed off of one another, creating a dynamic, wholly unique performance that shouldn’t be missed.
Other highlights of the event include performances by Brother Crowe, a Detroit-based duo that plays Indie folk music in a traditional Celtic style, and traditional Irish dance performances from the Ardan Academy of Dance. Additionally, the silent auction returns both nights with several new exciting formats and ways to bid on the variety of items. Back by popular demand is McGovern’s Corned Beef and Irish fare, plus Irish soda bread and soft pretzels from the Village Baker. Pigeon Hill Brewing Company’s MI Irish Stout, Magner’s Irish Cider, Irish cream, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Budweiser products will also be served. Doors open at 5:30pm both nights with music starting at 6:00pm. Tickets are available at the door for $8, and kids 12 and under get in for free!
The mission of the Michigan Irish Music Festival is to produce a quality Midwest Irish Music Festival that promotes Irish culture and heritage while enhancing the community through entertainment, tourism, education and philanthropy. The festival is proud to support Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and Kids’ Food Basket with gifts of non-perishable food items and cash donations. Since 2008, due to the success of the St. Pat’s Party and the Festival, the Michigan Irish Music Festival has donated over $266,000 in cash and 21,000 pounds of food back to the community. The Michigan Irish Music Festival will return this fall, September 12-15, 2019, at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon. The festival kicks off with a Pub Party on Thursday, September 12. For more information call (231) 683-2065 or visit www.michiganirish.org.
Fish Fry Fridays
March 15 – April 12 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Every Friday during Lent, the Ravenna community invites you to join them at St. Catherine’s Hall for delicious fish fry dinners! All dinners are from 5:00pm – 7:30pm and the cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 5 – 12. Kids 5 and under are free! Your meal includes your choice of a baked potato or fries, green beans, cole slaw, pike perch, garlic bread and dessert. Get an extra 2 filets for only $1. Proceeds will benefit the organizations hosting each week including St. Catherine’s, the American Legion and the Ravenna Fire Department. For more information call (231) 853-6743.
Friday Family Fun Night: Flashlight Night at the Museum
March 15 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Friday, March 15 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, come to the Lakeshore Museum Center for the Friday family fun night, “Flashlight Night at the Museum!” See the museum in a different light by experiencing a guided tour of the museum’s lower level by flashlight! Learn about prehistoric creatures, nocturnal animals, and phosphorescence. Before or after your tour, explore the museum’s main level and take part in a fun flashlight activity! This event is open house style, but tours will be timed and on a first-come-first-served basis. For more information call (231) 722-0278.
Muskegon Lumberjacks Home Games
March 15 & 16 @ 7:00 pm
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud and dedicated members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States.
Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16 at 7:15pm, come to the L.C. Walker Arena for Lumberjacks’ home games as they take on the Des Moines Buccaneers! For ticket information, contact asponaas@MuskegonLumberjacks.com or call 231-724-5225, ext. 259.
West Michigan Symphony Presents: Classic Broadway
March 15 @ 7:30 pm
Friday, March 15 at 7:30pm, come to the Frauenthal Center as the West Michigan Symphony presents “Classic Broadway!” Two dynamic Broadway artists join your WMS for an extraordinary evening of classic songs from Broadway’s Golden Age and beyond. With unforgettable melodies and lyrics by Porter, Gershwin, Berlin, Hamlisch, Lloyd Webber and more, these incredible vocal talents will make this a night to remember.
Single ticket prices are $28-$64. Student tickets are $10. Call 231-726-3231 ext. 223 for tickets and more information.
• Scott Speck, conductor
• Lisa Vroman, soprano
• Doug LaBrecque, tenor
Most Unruly St. Paddy’s Celebration Day 1: The Leprecons
March 15 @ 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Friday, March 15, 2019 from 9:00pm – midnight, it’s a “Most Unruly St. Paddy’s Celebration” featuring live music from The Leprecons! The Leprecons are a wee little band that seriously has fun or funnily is serious about playing traditional Irish music. Their trademark is having a rousingly good time with the audience who are encouraged to sing along as best they can and with all their might. Singing the correct words is also encourage but not strictly enforced since they are, after all, Irish, Scottish, and English folk songs. The group consists of J.D. Gonzales (vocals & guitar), Kirk Griffes (vocals, mandolin, whistle & bodhran), Derek Detman (background vocals, percussion & banjo), and Owen Sharpe (vocals & bass). For more information call (231) 288-1068.
White Lake Business Expo
March 16 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday, March 16 from 8:00am – 12:30pm, come to Whitehall High School for a first-hand look at the diverse products and services offered by White Lake Area businesses at the 7th Annual White Lake Community Business Expo! The Expo, presented by the White Lake Area Chamber, is free to the public and held in conjunction with the popular Montague-Whitehall Rotary Pancake Breakfast.
This is a high-energy and fun event with a DJ and over $3000 in prizes! Enjoy a pancake breakfast and stroll through over 50 exhibitors set up in the gymnasium. Expect one-on-one interaction with local business owners and get to know all they have to offer!
• Gold Sponsor: Scheid Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.
• Silver Sponsors: Boardwell Mechanical Services Inc. and Durga Insurance Group – Farm Bureau Insurance
• Bronze Sponsors: MasterTag, White Lake Assisted Living, White Lake Beacon, & Ina Ray – Caliber Home Loans, Inc.
For additional information, including sponsorship opportunities or to request an application, contact the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 231-893-4585, info@whitelake.org or visit www.whitelake.org.
Unruly St. Patrick’s Day Parade Pre-Party
March 16 @ 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Saturday, March 16 from 8:30am – 11:00am, Unruly Brewing Co. is hosting an Unruly St. Patrick’s Day Parade Pre-Party! Whether you’re in the parade or attending the parade, you’re invited to hang out in the taproom to enjoy beer, coffee and snacks. For more information call (231) 288-1068.
Run Muskegon’s 5th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 5k
March 16 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Run Muskegon’s 5th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 5k is happening Saturday, March 16 from 9:00am – 11:00am on the Lakeshore Trail behind Fricano Place! Register for this fun and festive St. Patrick’s Day race to benefit Run Muskegon’s snow removal efforts that keep the trail clear during the winter months.
Get festive and wear green, a kilt or dress up like a leprechaun for a chance to win prizes! The Shamrock Shuffle will be chip-timed courtesy of Runner’s Edge Timing with awards given to:
• Overall Top Male & Female Finishers
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age group (male and female)
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the best costume
All ages are welcome for this family friendly event. Packet pick-up will be Friday, March 15 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and March 16 from 8:00am – 8:55am at Fricano Place. The cost is $20 without a t-shirt or $25 with a t-shirt. You must register by March 6 to get the shirt. After that, they’ll be available for purchase $5 at the race in very limited quantities. The Family Rate (3 or 4 people at same address) is $15 each without a t-shirt or $20 each with a Short Sleeve Tech T-shirt.
For more information, e-mail runmuskegon@gmail.com.
Sweetwater Local Foods Market
Saturdays @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sweetwater Local Foods Market is open year-round, every Saturday from 9:00am-Noon! Healthy! Humane! Homegrown is their pledge to use NO synthetic fertilizers, NO synthetic chemical pesticides or herbicides, no growth promoting antibiotics and NO GMO’s! You can find them in the lobby and parking lot of Mercy Health Lakes Village. For more information, visit www.sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.org.
Winter Farmers’ Market
Saturdays @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
November 24 – April 27, visit the downtown Muskegon Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 9:00am – 2:00pm. For more information call (231)722-3251 or visit www.muskegonfarmersmarket.com
Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast
March 16 @ 10:00 am
Saturday, March 16 at 10:00am, come to the Greater Muskegon Woman’s Club for a breakfast of Green Eggs & Ham! The ladies are celebrating Reading Month and Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a delicious breakfast including free Dr. Seuss books and a visit from one of his marvelous characters! The requested donation is $15 for 1 adult + 1 child. Add $5 for each additional person in the family. Call Nancy Bierenga to make your reservation at 231-730-0887 or e-mail nancy@housesbynancy.com.
All Things Green and Lucky Hike
March 16 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Saturday, March 16 from 10:30am – 11:30am, bring the kids to the Gillette Nature Center at Hoffmaster State Park for the “All Things Green and Lucky Hike!” Look for signs of spring, learn about residents of the Hoffmaster woodland and see if you can spy the leprechaun! This hike is for children and their families. It is about 1 mile total walking distance and is appropriate for young children. There is a special surprise waiting at the end of the trail. For more information call (231) 798-3573.
Muskegon’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 @ 11:00 am
Saturday, March 16, the Annual Muskegon’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is stepping off at 11:00am from 4th St. and Clay Ave. and marching east along Clay to Jefferson St. Families, organizations, fraternal groups, businesses, marching bands, churches and schools are invited to join in the fun and march in this exciting event! Sponsor your “clan” and walk the parade route or design a float and ride through downtown Muskegon along “O’Clay Street!” The only cost to march in the parade or sponsor a float is a non-perishable food donation. The Greater Muskegon Jaycees “Cart Corps” will perform along the parade route, accepting food donations from the parade crowd and entertaining the assembled masses with their synchronized grocery cart maneuvers! If your family, organization or group wants to march in the inaugural Muskegon St. Patrick’s Day Parade, please contact the Greater Muskegon Jaycees at parade@muskegonjaycees.org for a complete registration packet. For more information, call 231-412-0705.
St. Patrick’s Weekend at Hennessey’s
March 16 @ 12:00 pm – March 17 @ 12:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17 from noon until midnight, come to Hennessey’s Irish Pub and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy Irish fare and beers as well as a great music line up. For more information call (231) 728-3333.
• 12:00pm – 3:00pm Gypsy Circus
• 4:30pm – 7:30pm Colton Snuffer
• 9:30pm – 12:30am The Conklin Ceili Band
Delicious Demise
March 16 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
From October – May, Amanda’s Bequest, a heritage farm-stay bed & breakfast, and Bygone Basics, a heritage farm to fork cooking school and bakery, offer special “Murder Mystery” events! Participants learn about cultural food differences and experience dishes that are authentic to the country or place the theme is based on. You get food discovery, dinner, and “DEMISE!”
This is so much fun! You will be emailed more detailed information about the event prior to arrival, including your role assignment and costume suggestions. The activities last from 5:00pm – 8:00pm on Saturdays, with dinner served in courses. These are themed murder mysteries based on the season, month and number of guests. All are different, so keep coming back for the next one! A minimum of 6 people are required. Murder mystery dinners are adult themed and not suitable for those under 17 years of age. (Not fully suitable for special diets. Some foods are naturally gluten free or vegetarian and these are present, but no separate dishes can be prepared.) For more information, please call (231) 740-4065 or e-mail ICan@bygonebasics.com. You can request no role, or small role if you are a little shy. Conversely, do request a big role if you are excited about doing this!
They reserve the right to change the posted theme to adjust to group sizes. Please call or e-mail to register or visit the website below. The cost is $45 or $35 if you’re staying at Amanda’s Bequest Bed & Breakfast.
Most Unruly St. Paddy’s Celebration: Day 2
March 16 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday, March 16 from 8:00pm – 11:00pm, come to Unruly Brewing Co. for their Most Unruly St. Paddy’s Celebration Day 2! Enjoy downtown Muskegon’s awesome St. Patrick’s Day Parade, then spend the evening enjoying awesome Irish entertainment! For more information call (231) 288-1068.
Beer Releases:
• Fat Guy Little Kilt– Scotch Ale
• Wailing Banshee – Irish Red Ale with Ginger
• Tirim – Dry Irish Stout
Entertainment:
• 11:30am – 12:30pm Muskegon Police Pipes and Drums
• 12:30pm – 1:00pm Irish DJ
• 1:00pm – 1:30pm Irish Costume Contest
• 2:00pm – 2:30pm Mona Shores Fiddlers (First Set)
• 2:30pm – 3:00pm Irish DJ
• 3:00pm – 3:30pm Mona Shores Fiddlers (Second Set)
• 3:30pm – 5:00pm Irish DJ
• 5:00pm – 6:00pm Ardan Academy of Dance (Irish Dancers)
• 5:30pm – 8:30pm Irish DJ
• 8:30pm The Barley Saints: The Barley Saints are a five-piece Celtic rock band from the Muskegon/Grand Rapids area of West Michigan. They specialize in a mix of Irish pub tunes, up-tempo Irish folk songs, and fast-paced traditional dance tunes, supported by driving rock beats.
Most Unruly St. Paddy’s Celebration: Day 3
March 17 @ 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday, March 17 from 11:00am – 9:00pm, you’re invited to Unruly Brewing Co. to a Most Unruly St. Paddy’s Celebration: Day 3! Just in case you didn’t have enough fun on Days 1 & 2, or if you just need a little “hair of the dog,” come celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with Unruly. They will have more of the Ardan Academy of Dance (Irish Dancers) performing two sets, one at 2:00pm and another at 4:00pm. Enjoy Irish beers, music, dancers and more! For more information call (231) 288-1068.
Free Latin Dance Party
March 17 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Every other Sunday, March 3 – May 13 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, come to Unruly Brewing Co. in downtown Muskegon for bi-monthly, free Latin Dance Classes offered by the Facebook group MADLOS! They will cover simple steps, turns and spins that are easy to learn and fun to do. No partner or experience are needed to participate. The lesson is from 5:00pm – 6:00pm with music continuing until 7:00pm so you can practice what you’ve learned or show off what you know. If you don’t need a lesson and just want to dance, join them at 6:00pm. There is no cost for the lesson, but they are accepting donations that will go to support the Child Abuse Counsel of Muskegon County. MADLOS offers different dance styles, including Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, and more. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to see what they’re up to next.
Instructor: Florencia Manon Colella from Argentina