Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty to do in Mt. Pleasant! This month, check out a wide variety of live music and local events that will be sure to end summer on a high note.
Artists’ Battle 2024
On Sunday, August 4, Art Reach of Mid Michigan will host Artists Battle 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Broadway in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Artists will have two hours to complete a work of art from start to finish. The contest is open to all ages and media with contestants divided into three categories: Youth (12 and under), Teen (13 to 19), and Adults (20+). This is a juried contest with one winner from each category. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners in each category. Registration can be found
here.
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Photo Courtesy: ICCUICCU and MyMichigan Health partner for “Play It Safe! Kids’ Health and Safety Day” on August 9.
Play It Safe! Kids’ Health & Safety Day
Isabella Community Credit Union and MyMichigan Health partner to provide a fun, free event for children in the community called
Play It Safe! Kids’ Health and Safety Day. The event will be held on August 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Island Park. Participants will receive a free lunch and take home goodies such as string backpacks, water bottles, bike helmets, and more—plus have the opportunity to peruse booths and demonstrations on nutrition, oral/optical/dental health, a photo booth, heavy machinery displays, games, and arts & crafts.
Sleepy Dog Books Author Event
Sleepy Dog Books will host Darrin Doyle, author of “Let Gravity Seize the Dead,” for a special author event at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 10. Read more about the event and about Doyle’s work
here.
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Photo Courtesy: City of Mt. Pleasant Pixie Pig Out 2023
Coneys for a Cause
From August 12 to 16, enjoy $1.99 coney dogs from
The Pixie while helping the youth of Isabella County during
Coneys for a Cause. The Pixie will donate 100% of the profits to the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit for every coney sold. Order forms can be found at
www.mt-pleasant.org/ysu. Plus, don’t miss watching a friendly coney-eating competition between law enforcement agencies. This “Pixie Pig Out” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 16 at Pixie.
Beat the Heat: Back to School Bash
Head over to Chipp-A-Waters Park for the
Back to School Bash on August 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This a free, family fun event for all ages.
Battle of the Local Vocals
Calling all singers and live music lovers! The
Battle of Local Vocals local singing competition kicks off once again at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21 at the Island Park Arts Pavilion.
Market for the Arts by For Art’s Sake
From August 23 to 25,
For Art’s Sake will host its 7th Annual
Market for the Arts, a 3-day weekend of art and culture in downtown Mt. Pleasant. The event is set to have artisans from all over the state, live music, performing artists, interactive art opportunities, food trucks, and more than 60 vendors—each unique with handmade wares.
Final Fridays Downtown
Sleepy Dog Books, in partnership with a number of other downtown Mt. Pleasant businesses, host their last
Final Fridays Event of the summer on August 30. This free and family friendly event boasts live music and stores with extended evening hours. Enjoy the festivities downtown on August 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Yoder’s Amish Quilt Auction & Flea Market
Shop hundreds of vendors at one of the largest, well attended, craft shows, flea markets, and quilt auctions in Michigan for Yoder’s end-of-summer
Quilt Auction & Flea Market. The market runs August 30 and 31 from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. at
10885 N. Leaton Rd. in Clare, Michigan.
ONGOING EVENTS
Fridays at the Race Track
Enjoy high-energy races at the
Mt. Pleasant Speedway every Friday night from 7 to 11 p.m. throughout the summer. Each “full show” includes modifieds, pro stocks, street stocks, rear-wheel-drive cylinders, and mini wedges. From die-hard racing fans to those brand new to the sport, these Friday night events can be a great way to spend time with friends and family at the Mt. Pleasant Speedway.
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Photo Courtesy: The Ginkgo Tree.The Ginkgo Tree hosts live music, outdoor bar, and food trucks on their terrace this August.
Live Music at The Ginkgo Tree
Enjoy live music and refreshments on the riverfront terrace on select evenings at Mt. Pleasant’s
Ginkgo Tree Inn from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. this August. Country/folk vocalists will perform August 2 and 16; jazz music will be played August 23 and 30. There is a $10/cover upon entering, plus their outdoor bar will be open and food trucks will be on site.
Max & Emily’s Summer Concert Series
Max & Emily’s is proud to announce the return of
The Max & Emily’s Summer Concert Series. With three shows planned for August, this year’s series welcomes back old friends, an “American Idol” winner, and a new friend from the south. All shows begin at 6 p.m. with a local opener, followed by the headliner at 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on and enjoy food on the grill outside as well as the regular menu inside. Here’s entertainment lineup:
August 1:
Verve Pipe
August 15:
Kris Allen Trio
August 24:
Noah Guthrie
Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market
The
Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market will continue to run through October 31. The Thursday market runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Island Park while the Saturday market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall. Offering fresh produce, organic plants, cooking demonstrations, and even live music, the Mt. Pleasant Farmers' Market provides an opportunity to gather as a community while supporting area farmers and healthy living habits.
Music in the Park Summer Concert Series
This month marks your last chance to enjoy live outdoor music every Thursday in Island Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
August 1: Rock, folk, country and a dash of 90s grunge with
The Real Ingredients
August 8: Americana, Roots, and Classical music with
Wyatt and Shari Knapp
August 15: Mississippi delta blues, folk, traditional jazz, and roots rock & roll with
Luke Winslow King
Native Farmers Market
Find seasonal produce, baked goods, beaded/sculpted/natural art, and Indigenous foods at the
Native Farmers Market on Broadway Park at the corner of Broadway and Leaton in Mt. Pleasant. The market runs every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through September 17.