Buds are officially blooming and it’s the season to be out and about! This May, welcome back the local Farmers’ Market, celebrate Mom with a spectacular brunch, or get involved with a spring fundraiser—or two. Here’s a lineup of fun-filled Isabella County and Mt. Pleasant events throughout the month.
All Things Mom
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Photo Courtesy For Arts Sake
Mother’s Day Market
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5 | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Check out the
Mother’s Day Market at
For Art’s Sake throughout the weekend. At this market, attendees have the opportunity to enjoy plenty of art vendors, free craft projects, photo shoots, tarot readings, and other activities that support the Mt. Pleasant arts scene.
Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 12
Numerous local restaurants are hosting a special Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12. Discover the dining delights below filled with special Mother’s Day brunch menus and how to make reservations.
Mom & Me Canvas Swap
Sunday, May 12 | 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Mother’s Day early with
a painting session at
For Art’s Sake, where moms and kids are invited to collaborate on unique paintings. Each participant starts by painting on a 9x12” canvas and then swaps canvases with their partner every ten minutes for one hour. Once the time is up, get together for a photo to remember the experience!
United for Moms Collection Drive
Thursday, May 16 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In honor of Mother’s Day, the
United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties is hosting a community-wide collection drive during the month of May. They are collecting personal care items, cleaning products, and baby items that will be given to local women in need. The Isabella County collection day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at Island Park in conjunction with the
Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market.
MOMosa Skate at Martin Ice Arena
Sunday, May 19 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Whether for seasoned skaters or those just starting out,
Martin Ice Arena’s MOMosa Skate event offers a unique blend of fun, fitness, and socializing. Lace up those skates, glide across the ice, and enjoy the company of friends and family in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere with drinks and snacks afterward. To register, call Brittany Knopp at 989-772-9623.
Community & Family Friendly Events
Opening Day of the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market
Thursdays starting May 2 | 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Take a stroll to Island Park to catch the first farmers market of the season! For 50 years, the
Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market has offered fresh in-season fruits and vegetables and an opportunity to gather as a community while supporting area farmers and healthy living habits. Offering fresh produce, organic plants and cooking demonstrations, the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market provides an unforgettable experience for customers of all ages. (Note: The Saturday market kicks off on June 22, with a new location at City Hall while the former downton location is under construction.)
Free Comic Book Day and Movie (multiple locations)
Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate
Free Comic Book Day by visiting
Veterans Memorial Library,
Art Reach of Mid Michigan, and
Green Tree Co-Op Market for free comic books, fun comic-themed activities, and life-sized LEGO superheroes. Free comic books will also be available at branch locations in Shepherd and Blanchard. Patrons who check out a book from the graphic novel section from any CRDL location on May 4 will be entered into a drawing for a $25
Sleepy Dog Books gift card.
Afterwards, head to the Veteran’s Memorial Library Annex to grab a slice of Domino's pizza and watch a family friendly movie featuring some of the guest characters from the event. The movie will start promptly at 12:30 p.m. Pizza will be available starting at noon until supplies last.
Star Wars Day at MPMA: Learn to Use a Lightsaber!
Saturday, May 4 | 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn basic and advanced “lightsaber” (sword) techniques through partner drills and open play for
Star Wars Day at Mt. Pleasant Martial Arts. Participants may cosplay as a favorite “Star Wars” character or any event-appropriate character.
Registration is requested. (Note: Please bring your own lightsabers. There will be Nerf swords available for everyone.) May the Fourth Be With You!
REDress Exhibit “No More Stolen Sisters” (multiple locations)
Now through May 7
A coalition of representatives from the Saginaw Chippewa Behavioral Health Victims Services, the Zonta Club of Mt. Pleasant, RISE Advocacy, McLaren Central Michigan, and the CMU Museum of Cultural And Natural History, are joining together to recognize the National Day of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. There will be red dress displays throughout the Mt. Pleasant community during the month of May, with the official observance of Red Dress Day being May 5. Various community events will be held at several locations, including a
reception on May 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan in The Morey Family Gallery. All exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public.
Walk & Roll for Mental Health Awareness
Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Walk & Roll is a free community event to raise Mental Health Awareness at Mt. Pleasant’s Island Park. It is an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate the importance of mental health awareness, diversity, inclusion, and seeing the ability and person first. Participants can choose a one-mile or two-mile walk that will be mapped out, or just come down to enjoy good company. Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash. View the event hosted by
MMI,
Community Mental Health for Central Michigan, and
Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation via the page
here.
Yoder’s Amish Flea Market & Craft Show
Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Twice a year, the Yoder Family and friends hold a
Quilt Auction and Flea Market in Clare. The event hosts crafters, antiques, and flea marketers and is one of the largest and well-attended craft shows in Michigan. Enjoy baked goods and homemade ice cream, over 400 vendors, and no cost for entry. Parking is $1 per vehicle.
Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games
Thursday, May 30 to Saturday, June 1
Join
Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) on Central Michigan University’s campus for the
SOMI State Summer Games. For over 50 years, this event has drawn thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and fans to central Michigan. SOMI athletes participate in a variety of competitions including bocce, bowling, gymnastics, horses, powerlifting, swimming, and more. The public is encouraged to come out and cheer on the athletes. For those interested in volunteering, SOMI has several opportunities to
get involved.
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Special Olympics Summer Games. Photo courtesy Special Olympics Michigan.
Arts & Entertainment
Broadway Theatre Screening of “Recovery Boys”
Tuesday, May 14 | 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join the
Isabella Substance Awareness Coalition at the
Broadway Theatre for a free screening of “Recovery Boys,” a 2018 documentary directed by Elaine McMillan Sheldon. Runtime is 1 hour and 29 minutes. Parental discretion advised. Synopsis: In a region ravaged by opioid abuse, four young men in a farming-based rehab forge a bond as they try to reinvent their lives after years of addiction.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Mt. Pleasant Speedway Great Lakes Lightning Sprints Opener
Friday, May 17 | Race starts at 7 p.m.
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of high-speed thrills and up-close-and-personal interactions with your favorite drivers during the
Great Lakes Lightning Sprints Opener at Mt. Pleasant Speedway. This event is fitting for families, friends, and anyone who loves the excitement of motorsports.
Fundraisers
69th Annual Lions Club Chicken Barbecue
Sunday, May 5 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The
Mt. Pleasant Lions Club will be serving their delicious chicken dinners to the community for the 69th year on May 5. Proceeds from this event enable the Lion’s Club to give back at local, state, and international levels. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the event. Each meal includes half a chicken, baked potato, applesauce, roll, cookie, and a bottle of water. Tickets may be
purchased online, from any Lions Club member, at Pickard Street Citgo, or at Ric’s Grocery.
HATS Sit, Stay, and Sip Event at Brass Cafe
Tuesday, May 7 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy fine wines from around the world and delicious food in the company of friends and fellow animal lovers during the
Sit, Stay, and Sip event at
Brass Cafe, benefiting the Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS). Fare includes two flights and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Choose from seven expertly paired flights, with three tastings per flight. For those who cannot attend or for attendees that would also like to take home wine to enjoy later, there are two take-home tasting packages available as well. Packages will be available for pick-up during the event, or at the HATS shelter following the event. Visit
the HATS website for additional details.
Kay’s Way at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln
May 13 - 24 Collection Drive | May 22 Oil Change Day
Help support
Kay’s Way, an annual supply drive hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s
Women’s Initiative, in honor of Kay Krapohl Smith. In addition to collecting womens’ supplies, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln will host a special Oil Change Day on May 22, from which 100% of every oil change purchase in the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center will be donated to the supply drive.
Nature
Salamander Saturday with the CWC Audubon Woods Preserve
Saturday, May 4 | 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Join the
Chippewa Watershed Conservancy (CWC) on Saturday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m. at Audubon Woods Preserve for
Salamander Saturday and a
Salamander Stroll Virtual 5K event. Participants will walk the loop four times to complete the 5K. During the last loop there will be a stop along the way to look for salamanders. This event aims to bring awareness to salamander conservation and the important role salamanders play in our ecosystem. Directions to the preserve:
http://bit.ly/AudubonWoodsPreserve
Spring Mushroom Hunt at Sylvan Solace
Thursday, May 16 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join the
Chippewa Watershed Conservancy and Sister Marie Kopin of the
North American Mycological Association for a
Spring Mushroom Hunt at their 78-acre Sylvan Solace Preserve. This will be the first of two scheduled spring fungus forays. Participants will explore the preserve in search of wild mushrooms. The event will culminate with an identification of each participant’s findings. This event is free and open to the public.