Event Calendar for Manistee, Mason, southern Benzie, western Lake and western Wexford counties and sometimes farther

Tell them you saw it in the Freshwater Reporter!

Email event items to us at any time for our online calendar. Our next printed calendar covers the month of May and the deadline is April 16. Email items to: editor@freshwater-reporter.com. ALWAYS check with the venue (call ahead) before making plans to attend events. Despite our best efforts, errors occur.

Click on the GREEN links to be taken to the event website or for ticket information. Links are provided to our nonprofit partners’ and advertisers’ websites.

ONGOING EVENTS (Scroll for Daily Events)

Thru June 12

Spring Art Show, Arcadia
Free. Arcadia Community Center, 3586 Glovers Lake Rd.

Thru 25

Modes of Abstraction, Ludington
Free. Annual abstract art exhibition. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St. Public reception: April 3, 4-7pm.

Stapleton Realty advertisement. Income opportunity between the Platte Lakes. 1800 square foot building on a half acre in Benzie County. For sale or lease. West of Honor. Was a deli, pizza, convenience store with a take-out liquor license, which is available for sale. Could be the same or try adding e-bike rentals, specialty coffee, boxed lunches, studio gallery or a combo. Some kitchen equipment available. near National Lakeshore and M-22. Room to expand the septic should you choose to live and work here. $349,900. Call Christine Stapleton. 231-499-2698. Click on this ad to be taken to more about this property on the Stapleton Realty website.

Advertisement for Honor Onekama Building Supply. Family owned since 1963. Knowledge. Service, Integrity. Here to help you with your hardware and building projects. Call 231-889-3456. Located at 4847 Main Street, Onekama. Click on this ad to be taken to the website.

Advertisement for Marie Marfia Fine Art is a pastel painting of a Lake Michigan shoreline with dunegrass and a patch of snow. A working artist's studio and gallery. Schedule of classes at mariemarfia dot com. Ludington, Michigan. Hours by appointment. 904-566-4473. Click on this ad to be taken to the website.

Thru May 8

Bloom: A Celebration of Spring Art Exhibition, Frankfort
Free. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd.

Thru 24

Manistee Student Art Exhibition, Manistee
Free. Artwork by middle & high school students will be featured. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Public reception April 17, 5-7pm.

Thru May 29

Waterborne: Great Lakes Past and Present as Seen Through the Artist’s Eye, Elberta
Free. Maritime history and culture of the Great Lakes through the works of regional artists. Historical & contemporary photos, paintings, sculpture, crafts & artifacts. Bridges the worlds of art galleries & historical museums. Elberta Labor Heritage Center, 704 Frankfort Ave./M-22. Public reception April 17, 5-7pm.

April 25-May 30

Local Color A to Z Art Exhibition, Frankfort
Free. Group show of works by the Lakeshore Artist Alliance in oil, acrylic, watercolor & mixed media. Public reception: April 25, 5-7pm.

SAVE THE DATE

MAY events listed here have APRIL registration/ticket or discount deadlines.

May 16

Annual Gala, “Celebrating Broadway Musicals Throughout the Decades,” Manistee
5pm. $125. Ramsdell Regional Art Center fundraiser. All tickets include hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dessert, entertainment, auction, two cocktails and an evening champagne toast. Deadline to buy tickets is April 30. Info/tickets: RamsdellTheatre.org/gala

May 23

19th Annual Beer & Brat Festival, Thompsonville
4-8pm. Advance general admission tickets thru April 3: $30, April 4 – May 22: $40, May 23 (Day-Of): $55. VIP tickets also available. Live entertainment & samples of Michigan’s finest beers, meads, hard ciders, wine, liquor & gourmet brats. Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2dv2npcm or call 866.585.7029.

APRIL DAILY EVENTS

GLOBAL ASTRONOMY MONTH … Learn more at: https://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/programs/global-astronomy-month

20-26

Downtown Ludington Restaurant Week
Participating restaurants will have exciting specials, showcasing the best of their culinary creations.

21

Bee Roll Movie Club, Beulah
5:30-7pm. Laid-back no-pressure gathering of movie lovers. No assigned films or schedules. Just good company & lively conversation about whatever you have seen lately or classics you want to discuss. St. Ambrose Cellars, 841 S Pioneer Rd.

22

EARTH DAY ... More info: https://www.earthday.org/

Old-time Movies of Lake County, Baldwin
6pm. Free. Lake County Historical Museum, 915 N Michigan Ave.

Prairie Prophecy movie, Frankfort
7pm. Free. Documentary about Wes Jackson, an American geneticist who co-founded the Land Institute which develops perennial grain crops, builds resilient farming systems and supports innovations that help reverse agriculture’s contribution to climate change. Presented by Elberta Labor Heritage Center/WUWU Radio at the Garden Theater, 301 Main St.

24

Community Advocacy & Regional Policy Landscape, Manistee
Time TBD. Must register. (See below.) A session of the 2026 State of the Community event. Dakota Baker, with the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, will present on key policy issues impacting northern Michigan: how to connect local voices to state leaders, priorities shaping workforce and housing, regional partnerships that drive collaboration, and what to expect in the year ahead. At Little River Casino Resort. https://tinyurl.com/vmxwtsrd

Near & Farr Friends, Onekama
11am. Lunch & Aging Well Forum. Ashley Gutowski & Charone Sexton will discuss end-of-life decision making, care & advanced directives. First Congregational Church, 4920 Spring St.

Arbor Day Celebration, Arcadia
5:30pm. Free. Recognition of tree volunteers, tree-themed poetry by the Girl Scouts, Arcadia Garden Club to speak about planned Grebe Park improvements, ceremonial tree planting. Grebe Park, 16966 First St.

Ludington’s Got Talent
6-8pm. $20/adults, $10/kids. Talent show of all ages. Every ticket sold & donation made goes toward Sandcastles Children’s Museum’s Roof Restoration Fund. Family-friendly event. Guests to enjoy a popcorn bar & beverages. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St.

In concert: Green Jelly & Esham, Cadillac
7-11pm. $24.60. The Venue Event Center, 902 W 13^th St. Tickets: thevenueeccadillac.com

24, 25

Mason-Lake Conservation District Tree, Shrub & Plant Sale Pick Up, Ludington
2-6pm, Friday. 9am-12pm, Saturday. Mason County Fairgrounds, 5302 US-10.

25

Manistee National Forest Trail Cleanup, Harietta
All day. Come when you can. Leave when you must. Help clean the riding (snowmobile, ATV, Jeep) trails. Clean whatever site you wish, then head to Lost Pines Lodge, 3846 W 38 Rd, with your trash and throw it in the dumpster. Meet for food & drinks at 6pm inside the lodge.

Old ‘Brose Scramble Disc Golf Tournament, Beulah
One round singles tournament. Info/register: discgolfscene.com

Sportsman’s Yard Sale, Kaleva
9am-3pm. Free to attend. New & used, camping, hunting, fishing, boating equipment. Sponsored by Big Bear Sportsman’s Club. Kaleva VFW, 13300 9 Mile Rd.

Mason-Lake Conservation District Tree, Shrub & Plant Sale Pick Up, Baldwin
10am-12pm. Wenger Pavilion, 876 Michigan Ave. (behind Jones’ Ice Cream)

AFFEW’s Earth Day Celebration, Ludington
10:30am-4pm. Interactive, in person, all-day event. Variety of speakers & info booths representing the community & our partners. Activities for kids, a guided hike & many fun events, including tours of U Dig It Community Garden located behind the church. Ludington United Methodist Church, 5810 E Bryant Rd. affew.org

Crowns & Capes Party: Where Princess Magic meets Superhero Power, Manistee
1-3pm. $20. Meet Moana, Tiana, Elsa, Ariel, Captain America, and Spiderman. Dress as your favorite prince, princess, or superhero. Each young participant must be accompanied by an adult princess, prince or superhero. Enjoy an activity with our characters. Say the Superhero Oath. Have your picture taken. Finger foods/drinks included. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts ballroom, 101 Maple St. Tickets: ramsdelltheatre.org

Quarter Paddle Auction, Onekama
2:30pm Doors, 4pm Auction starts. $5/paddle. No bid over 4 quarters. Proceeds benefit the Onekama Lions Club. Food & cash bar available. Onekama Lions’ Den, Manistee County Fairgrounds, 7587 1^st St.

In concert: Twiztid, Cadillac
7-11pm. $29.50. The Venue Event Center, 902 W 13^th St. Tickets: thevenueeccadillac.com

26

Gun Show, Kaleva
9am-3pm. Sponsored by Big Bear Sportsman’s Club. Kaleva VFW, 13300 9 Mile Rd.

28

Weed the Park, Ludington
6-8pm. Free. Volunteer to help AFFEW remove invasive plants. Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Bring garden gloves, water. Meet at the gazebo at the end of Rath Ave. by Lincoln Lake. Cartier Park, 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr.

29

Guided Bird Walk, Onekama
8:30am. Free. Learn about spring migration, bird identification, and local habitats with Dr. Brian Allen. North Point Park, 8999 Greenway St. Registration required: tinyurl.com/2dze7utp

An Evening with Matthew Burtner, Frankfort
6-8pm. Emmy Award–winning composer’s work bridges music, science, technology and ecology. Known globally for transforming environmental data—such as the rhythms of glaciers, wind, & water—into immersive musical experiences. Hosted by Elberta Labor Heritage Center/WUWU Radio at the Garden Theater, 301 Main St.

30

Coffee with the Councilors, Ludington
12pm. Free. Learn about city updates, share ideas & connect with city council members. Book Mark, 201 S Rath Ave.