Event Calendar for Manistee, Mason, southern Benzie, western Lake, 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.  The deadline for our November issue is Oct. 15 .  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 bolded links to be taken to our advertiser’s website or for ticket information. 

FARMERS MARKETS  (Scroll for Ongoing and Daily Events)

SATURDAYS           

Frankfort Farmers Market 
9am-1pm. Thru Oct. 31. Open Space Park, 800 Main St.

ONGOING

Thru Oct. 16

Exquisite Corpse Art Exhibition, Ludington 
Free. Artists were given pieces of paper labeled Head, Body, Legs to create on. Their works  were randomly assembled to create fantastical creatures. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St

Thru Oct. 30

A Thread Runs Through It Art Exhibition, Manistee
Free. Artworks featuring fibers & textiles. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St.

Steve Loveless: Atmospheres Art Exhibition, Frankfort
Free. Photographer of northern Michigan. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd. oliverart.org

Thru Oct. 31

Boo! Art Exhibition, Frankfort
Free. A celebration of spooky fun featuring artwork in all media in this open call exhibit. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd. oliverart.org

Chew On This Art Exhibition, Ludington 
Free. Celebrating food & creativity. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St.

Thru Nov. 13

All Media Juried Exhibition, Frankfort
Free. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd. Opening reception Oct. 10, 5-7pm. 

Thru Jan. 8

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

Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31

Ghost Ship, Manistee
7:30-10:30pm (10pm on Sunday). $15-20 at the door. Also 3-6:15pm Oct 31, special lights on “Scaredy Pants” hours for small children $5. The spooky ship event includes loud noises, bright lights, low visibility, steep stairs, inclines and declines, flashing lights, special effects & sudden movements by actors. People who suffer from heart conditions, seizures or other medical problems should not enter. People who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be refused admittance. Smoking, vaping, eating, drinking & running are prohibited.  S.S. City of Milwaukee, 88 Arthur St. on US Hwy 31. More info & $25/32 Fast Passes (skip the line) at: www.carferry.com/ghostship

DAILY EVENTS

15

Food Pantry, Bear Lake 
4-6pm. This evening session coincides with a free Community Table meal. Eligibility: Must need emergency food, participate in income-based programs (like SNAP, WIC, or CSFP), or fall below the federal poverty level. Bear Lake United Methodist Church, 7861 Main St. info: (231) 864-3680.

15-19

18th Annual Frankfort Film Festival, Frankfort 
$200/person, $300/couple full access pass includes entry to all films. Individual ticket prices available. Info/tickets: gardentheater.org

16

Food Bank, Manistee
Wagoner Community Center, 260 St. Mary’s Parkway.

Near & Farr Friends, Onekama 
11am-1pm. Free. Fire Chiefs of Manistee and Onekama discuss the Regional Fire Initiative. Onekama Township Hall, 5435 Main St.

Music After Dark, Manistee 
7:30pm. $15-35. Featuring the Kalkaska String Quartet. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Tickets: ramsdelltheatre.org

Midnight Library for Adults, Manistee
6pm-Midnight. For ages 18 & older. Visit the 121-year-old Carnegie Building after hours and participate in fun, spooky events, four total. Each event attended enters you in a drawing for a big prize at the end of the night. Need not be present during the drawing. Also prizes at each individual program. Manistee County Library is located at 95 Maple St.

17

20th Annual Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic, Thompsonville
9:30am-4pm. $65-90. Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. Register: runsignup.com

Metropolitan Opera Live/Encore in HD presents MacBeth (Verdi), Manistee
1pm, $15-25. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Tickets: ramsdelltheatre.org

 5th Annual Fear the Bogeyman Haunted Halloween Doubles Disc Golf Tournament, Scottville 
3pm. $40/player. Ages 16+ only. Doubles tournament. 2 rounds of play; 1 in daylight, 1 in the dark. Snacks, drinks, candy, fruit for all players at check in. Hungry Howie’s pizza available to purchase between rounds, $3/slice. The Edge at Riverside Park, 700 S Scottville Rd. Info/register: discgolfscene.com

Public Viewing at Rogers Observatory, Traverse City
6-10pm. Help celebrate 45 years of stargazing at the Rogers Observatory.  The dome will be open and telescopes available during this event, part of Northwestern Michigan College’s 75th anniversary festivities. 1753 Birmley Rd.

18

Knights of Columbus Fall Dinner, Manistee
11am-1pm. Adults $17, Child 12 & under $7. Take-out available. At St. Joseph Parish Center, 249 6th St. Tickets avail. at SportsInk, the parish office or at the door. Menu: Baked chicken, stuffed cabbage rolls, fresh Polish sausage, real mashed potatoes/gravy, sweet & sour cabbage, buttered squash, whole kernel corn, rolls, coffee, lemonade and homemade desserts.

19

New film: AANIKOOBIJIGAN {ANCESTOR/GREAT-GRANDPARENT, GREAT-GRANDCHILD}, Manistee
6:30pm. Doors open. 7pm, showing of this new film and a discussion following at the Event Center of Little River Casino Resort, 2300 Orchard Hwy. (M-22). See announcement:  https://freshwater-reporter.com/film-to-highlight-efforts-to-reclaim-michigan-indigenous-ancestors-remains/ and read a first-person story about repatriation efforts by Freshwater Reporter contributor Valerie Chandler: https://freshwater-reporter.com/repatriation-seeking-justice-for-lost-loved-ones/

21

Budding Naturalists Preschool Program, Ludington
2-3:30pm. Book walk designed for ages 2-5 with their adult starts at the Ludington State Park Warming Shelter and ends at Hamlin Picnic Shelter (1 mile). Strollers for youngest recommended. Motor vehicle permit required for entry.

Ghost Towns & Graveyards, Baldwin 
6pm. Free. Presented by the Gravedigger, Bruce Micinski. Lake County Historical Museum, 915 N Michigan Ave.

22

AFFEW’s Annual Meeting & Environmental Awards, Ludington
5:30pm-8pm.Free appetizers. Dinner & drinks for purchase. Jamesport Brewing Company, 410 S James St.

23

Outdoors Woman Fall Waterfowl Identification, Muskegon
10am-3pm. $30. Must register in advance. Ludington State Park staff teach this 1-day class at the MDNR Field Office in Muskegon. Info: https://tinyurl.36823tyh

Near & Farr Friends, Onekama 
11am-1pm. Free. Includes lunch and speaker Suzanne Long, accountant, who will inform us on managing finances as we age including insurance, investments, taxes, funeral planning, end of life wishes, and websites to know and use. Bring your questions and concerns. First Congregational Church, 4920 Spring St.

 The Woods, Meadows and Shores of West Michigan, Manistee 
7:30pm. Free.  As photographer Robert deJonge’s  breathtaking images of West Michigan appear on the big screen, double bassist Paul Erhard will improvise, creating a spontaneous dialogue between image and sound. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. 

23-24

Great Lakes Environmental Festival, Manistee 
10am-4pm. Free. Presentations examining the environmental threats from microplastics, contagious diseases from ticks, impacts from data centers & wild fires. Results of research about One Health and One Water and Michigan public health agencies. Presentation about the Little Manistee River conservation efforts. West Shore Community College, 400 River St.

24

Garden Tractor Pulling, Scottville 
11am-3pm. Free for spectators. The Western Michigan Old Engine Club sanctions garden tractor pulling for both dead weight sled and transfer sled. Riverside Park, 700 S Scottville Rd.

Gopherwood Concerts present Frank Youngman & Friends Sing-a-Long, Cadillac 
7pm. $20 ADV, $25 Door. Cadillac Elks Lodge, 122 S Mitchell St. Tickets: https://gopherwoodconcerts.org

25

Downtown Trick or Treating, Ludington
2-4pm. Street trunk or treating. Legacy Plaza, 150 N James St.

30

Near & Farr Friends, Onekama 
11am-1pm. Free Grace Patzer, Public Health nurse provides Narcan training.  This nasal spray can save a life from an opioid overdose. Onekama Township Hall, 5435 Main St.

31

Run For Your Lives 5k/10k, Ludington
9am. $20 students, $30 adults. 100 Ludington Ave. Info/registration: https://runludington.com

Manistee Fall Festival, Manistee 
12-2pm merchant trick or treating on River/Division/Maple Streets. 12-3pm signature events at Manistee Inn & Marina parking lot, 378 River St. include photo station, live music, pie throwing station (hit local celebrities & win prizes), nonprofit trunk or treat, cornhole, games, crafting, first responders, costume contest. More activities around town. Info: www.visitmanisteecounty.com/event/manistee-fall-festival/

Boos, Brews & Brats, Manistee 
12-11pm. Public welcome. Costumes encouraged. Kids’ costume contest 2pm. Food/drinks start at 6pm. Music featuring Sufferin Suckatash at 7pm. Adult costume contest (with prizes) at 10pm. Manistee Elks Club, 432 River St.

Trunk or Treat, Arcadia
4:30-7pm. At the Arcadia Historical Museum, 3340 Lake St.  Park along Lake Street, between 3rd and 4th streets. 4:30pm: Trunk Decorating. 5-7pm: Trunk or Treat. 6-7pm: Spooky Museum Flashlight Tour with spooky surprises.  

Trunk or Treat, Bear Lake 
5-7:30pm. Local families & businesses hand out Halloween treats in the parking lot of Bear Lake Community Church, corner of Main & Smith Sts.