Under the Radar premiere will put Battle Creek on the big screen

Editor’s note: This story is part of Southwest Michigan Second Wave’s On the Ground Battle Creek series.

Fans of WGVU’s “Under the Radar Michigan” who call Battle Creek and Calhoun County home will have even more reasons to love where they live as they watch the September 14 episode of the show which highlights the people and places that make the Cereal City unique.

In celebration of the upcoming episode, the downtown branch of Willard Library will host a watch party complete with popcorn at 6 p.m. that is free and open to anyone who wants to watch it, says Annie Kelley, Communications for the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau. The Library and the CCVB are teaming up to show the episode. Before showing the 30-minute episode, Kelley says there will be a special recorded message from Tom Daldin, host of “Under the Radar” and Jim Edelman.

Daldin and Edelman filmed their popular Michigan travel show, which airs locally 0n WGVU Public Television station, at some local gems, including Café Rica, Waco Kitchen, Horrocks Farm Market, and Albion’s Kids ‘N’ Stuff, Kelley says.

“I am excited about this episode — just the range and variety of stuff we’re featuring, it’ll have a little bit of something for everybody,” Daldin says.

The show has been on air for 13 seasons and Daldin says it seems to keep getting bigger.

“When people see the Battle Creek show, it’s going to bring a ton of visitors to this area,” he says. “It’s really a shining star for the state.”

For those who want to watch at home, the episode will air at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 14 on WGVU, PBS on Channel 35/52.

“This episode is going to be special,” Kelley says. “Watching the interviews, what came through for me is how Battle Creek is blessed with talented, hard-working people who are making this city a better place. It wasn’t only about cool things to do, it was about community and family. I can’t wait to see how it looks through the lens of ‘Under the Radar.’”

Longtime friends, Daldin and Edelman have traveled all over Michigan to find the wacky and wonderful. They’ve co-authored three books, each one featuring 50 places to go. Signed copies of the books are coming to the Battle Creek Welcome Center Store for purchase.

Kelley says those who would like to get their book signed in person by Daldin and Edelman will have that opportunity during a book signing with the duo scheduled for the beginning of December at the Welcome Center.

She says Willard Library also has past seasons of “Under the Radar” on DVD, in addition to copies of the book that are available to check out at the library or for download through the library’s Hoopla app.