Looking for something to do? The Stay Local events calendar lists non-profit and community events on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please check with your club or organization regarding meetings, outings, and classes as they may be canceled due to inclement weather or COVID-19. If the listing is inaccurate or if you would like to submit an event, please contact Julie Norwood at 231-592-8358 or julie.norwood@pioneergroup.com. (The deadline is noon on Sunday for Tuesday’s newspapers and noon on Wednesday for Friday’s newspapers.)
Wizard of Oz: Nov. 9-11 from 7-9 p.m. at Big Rapids High School, 21175 15 Mile Road, Big Rapids. Sponsored by the Big Rapids High School Theater Arts Club. $15 for adults, $10 for students (brhsdrama.ludus.com/index.php)
Days of visibility: Nov. 9-14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mecosta County Rod & Gun Club, 10622 11 Mile Road, Mecosta. Open to the public. Cost: $5 per gun for non-members. The club provides targets, spotters, and instructions. Food will be prepared. Contest: Randy Rice (231-592-1301).
Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party: Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon, Wheatland Township Hall, 201 S. Sheridan Ave. Remus. Quarterly in-person meeting with guest speakers U.S. Senate candidate Pamela Pugh and 2nd Congressional District candidate Michael Lynch. Includes a live auction fundraiser and continental breakfast.
State Rep. Tom Kunce’s office hours: Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. at Curry’s Amoco, 620 Maple Street, Big Rapids. No reservation required.
Big Rapids 2023 Back Pole Contest: Nov. 15 and 16 at Curry’s, 620 Maple St., Big Rapids, 6 to 9 p.m. Featuring door prizes for the first prize brought in each day, a daily gun raffle benefiting the Big Rapids Youth Wrestling Program, and prizes for first through fourth place. Based on the Antler score (Boone & Crockett).
Big Rapids Holiday Farmers Market: Friday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 226 N.michigan Ave., Big Rapids, downtown Big Rapids.
Chili cook-off: Nov. 17 and 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Three Girls Bakery, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. Three girls on his staff will be competing for the title of this year’s Chili Cook His Off His Championship. Chili is free to try, but donations are requested to benefit Angels of Action. Winners will be announced on November 20th.
Festival of Lights Parade: Saturday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m., Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids. Featuring a parade of lights, live reindeer, Santa, carols and hot chocolate.
Winter apparel drive: Nov. 1-Dec. 20, Big Rapids Fields Comfort Care, 18880 16 Mile Road, Big Rapids. We accept donations of gently used warm clothing, with priority given to coats, beanies, gloves, scarves, hats, and fleece items for adults and/or children. Contact: 231-589-9151 or 231-912-0363.
veterans day events
Veterans Day Parade: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids.
Hot dog lunch: Friday, Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at AMVET Post 1941, 320 S. 4th Ave., Big Rapids. We are accepting donations.
Marine Corps Ball: Friday, Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m., AMVET Post 1941, 320 S. 4th Ave., Big Rapids. All branches are welcome. Tickets are $15, contact: 231-796-6998.
SOS breakfast: Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to noon, AMVET Post 1941, 320 S. 4th Ave., Big Rapids. We are asking for donations.
Mecosta County Genealogical Society Veterans Memorial: Saturday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 424 N. Fourth Ave., Big Rapids, next to Recycle. The annual tribute features military displays. Open to the public. Come in and thank our veterans.
Veterans Day events: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Veterans and Homefront Heroes Memorial Park on North State Street. Featuring the American Legion Post 98 Honor Guard.
Dedication of new American and POW flags: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at AlterCare, 805 W. Ave., Big Rapids. Featuring the American Legion Post 98 Honor Guard.
Pizza and Poker Night: Saturday, Nov. 11, 5 p.m., at Big Rapids Eagles, 18361 16 Mile Rd, Big Rapids. Veterans can eat for free. His 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in poker will receive cash prizes. Open to the public.
Annual FSU Veterans Day Concert: Sunday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the G. Mennen Williams Auditorium, 630 S. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids. Public viewing is free.
Big Rapids Park and REC.
For more information, contact Josh Pyles at 231-592-4038.
Women’s volleyball: Sundays through Sept. 17 at Big Rapids Middle School, 500 N. Warren Ave., Big Rapids.
Water aerobics: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 11 through Dec. 15 at the University Recreation Center pool. Cost is $4 per class or $40 for 12 classes of punch. There will be no classes on October 16th and November 24th.
latin dance fusion: Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m., starting Sept. 18, at Big Rapids Middle School, 500 N. Warren Ave., Big Rapids. The cost is $5. There will be no classes on October 23rd.
Groove for the young at heart: Held at the Big Rapids Middle School Cafeteria, 500 N. Warren Ave., Big Rapids, starting September 21st and Thursdays from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. The cost is $5.
groove: It will be held Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m., starting Sept. 21, in the Big Rapids Middle School cafeteria, 500 N. Warren Ave., Big Rapids. The cost is $5.
Pickleball: Pickleball courts behind Big Rapids Middle School, 500 N. Warren Ave., Big Rapids, Tuesdays 9-11 a.m., Wednesdays 5-7 p.m., Fridays 8-10 a.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. It will be held at The cost is a $1 donation to help with supply costs.
Senior fit time: Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. and Thursdays 3-4 p.m., September 12-December 14 at the Style Station, 1619 Catherine St., Big Rapids. Cost is $2 per participant. .
Delaying the disease Parkinson’s fitness: Thursdays, September 14th through December, 1:00pm to 1:45pm at Style Station, 1619 Catherine Street, Big Rapids. The cost is $2 per participant.
walking program: Monday through Thursday, Oct. 31 through March 31, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Big Rapids Middle School, 500 N. Warren Ave., Big Rapids. There is no cost. There are no walking programs on Fridays or school holidays.
Ongoing programs and activities
Big Rapids Area Kiwanis Club: 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at United Church Fellowship Hall, 120 S. State, Big Rapids. For more information, visit facebook.com/bigrapidsmikiwanis.
Mecosta County Historical Museum: Saturday, 1-3 p.m., 129 S. Stewart Ave., Big Rapids. For more information or to schedule a private tour, call 520-334-0123, 231-796-4662, or 231-867-3311.
Mecosta County Genealogical Society: 2nd Saturday of every month 10am to 2pmor by appointment at 424 N. Fourth Ave., Big Rapids, next to Recycle. It is open to the public to research genealogy and history in Mecosta County and the surrounding area. Volunteers were needed to help sort and index. For more information or to make a reservation, please call Maureen Nelson at 231-250-5555.
Reed City Cultural Heritage Museum: We are open Friday through Tuesday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at 138 W. Slosson Ave. in Reed City. Free admission. Groups are also welcome.
Mecosta County Sheriff: Second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., Mecosta County Jail Basement Training Room, 225 S. Stewart Ave. big rapids. This volunteer group is always looking for new members. For more information, call 231-250-9241.
Morley Community Center: 151 7th St., Morley. For more information, visit morleycenter.org/events or call 231-856-4496.
- Aerobic drumming: Sunday 1-2 p.m.
- Pickleball: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Thursday 5-7 p.m.
- Open Gym: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.
- Garage sale: Every other Friday and Saturday (February 17th and 18th, March 3rd and 4th, etc.)
- Blood Drive: Second Monday of odd-numbered months, 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Wheatland Jamboree: Every second Saturday through November from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Wheatland Cabin, 7251 50th Ave., Remus. (Informal jam session for acoustic musicians. Free and open to the public)
Community lunch: Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Third Street United Methodist Church, 226 N. Third Ave., Big Rapids. The community lunch program has resumed. This is a free meal service, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 231-796-4157 or 231-796-6779.
Swiss Steak Dinner: The last Friday of each month from April through October from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Baritone Senior Center, 71 Northern Ave., Baritone. Open to the public; everyone is welcome. Meals include Swiss steak, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, bread rolls, drinks, and pie. Price: $10. Proceeds support the senior center.
Artwork classes, exhibitions
106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids / 231-796-2420 /artworksinbigrapids.org
Six star ball: Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each glass star measures 3 1/2 inches and has six sides, making them perfect for hanging throughout the holiday season. All materials provided. Price: $50. Register in person or online at artworksinbirapids.org/glass.
After school art: Wednesdays from 3:45pm to 5:15pm. Target age is 7 to 13 years old. Cost: Free. Class capacity is 12 people. Drop-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. She recommends calling 231-796-2420 to register by the Monday before each weekly class.
Open pottery: Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. Price: $10 per session, $60 for punch cards for 8 sessions. (Additional firing fees apply; clay is available in bulk for $20 per 25 pounds.) To schedule a session, call 231-796-2420.
Exhibition — Artist in Residence Vincent Johnson: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Artworks Alley Gallery.