Event Calendar for Manistee, Mason, southern Benzie, western Lake and 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 June and the deadline is May 14.  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.

PHOTO:  MDOT yield sign along M-22 in Elberta, Michigan, says Turtle Crossing. Elberta will be the site of the 3rd annual Turtlefest this year on May 23.

FARMERS MARKETS

 MONDAYS             

Scottville Farmers Market
10am-3pm. May 10 – mid-September. Every other Monday in West Shore Bank parking lot, 107 W. State St. & along Main Street.

THURSDAYS       

Elberta Farmers Market 
8am-12pm. May 21 –  October 1. Penfold Park, 1098 Lakeside Blvd.

FRIDAYS             

Ludington Artisan/Farmers Market 
2-7pm. May 22 – September 18. Legacy Plaza Pavilion, 112 N James St.

SATURDAYS           

Frankfort Farmers Market 
9am-1pm. May 2 – October 17. Open Space Park, 800 Main St.

Manistee Farmers Market 
9am-12pm. May 24 – October 4. Wagoner Community Center, 260 Saint Mary’s Pkwy.

MUSIC SERIES

Fridays                  

Live in the Plaza Music Series, Ludington
6-8pm, Free. May 22 – September 18. Legacy Plaza, 112 N James St. Bring lawn chair.
May               
22           Mike Lenich
29           Joe Irelan

ONGOING EVENTS (Scroll for Daily Events)

May 4, 11, 18, 25

Sip ‘n Stitch Mondays, Onekama
9-11am. Free. All welcome. Bring a craft to work on: knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc. Back table at Lake & Latte, 4850 Main St.

Thru May 8    

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

Thru May 13  Local Art Exhibition, Onekama
Free. Artworks by Louisa Loveridge Gallas & Joseph Stanley. Lake and Latte, 4850 Main St.

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.

Thru May 30 

A World of Birds in Mason County, Ludington 
Free. Solo art exhibition by local naturalist/author David Dister. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St.

Local Color A to Z Art Exhibition, Frankfort 
Free. Group show of works by the Lakeshore Artist Alliance in oil, acrylic, watercolor & mixed media. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd.

Going Steady: Connections Art Exhibition, Ludington 
Free. Artworks by Linda Sandow & Paul Tower. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St. Opening reception May 1, 6-7pm.

Thru June 12 

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

May 8-June 5   

The Art of Tattoos, Manistee
Free. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, 101 Maple St. Opening reception May 8, 5-7pm.

May 16-June 19 

Beyond the Print Art Exhibition, Frankfort 
Free. Original works by regional artists who push the boundaries of printmaking featuring John Hubbard, Jim Shrier, and Jennifer Kritcher. Oliver Art Center, 132 Coast Guard Rd.

SAVE THE DATE

Future events listed here have registration deadlines before or close to our next publication date.

June 20, 21      

Gus Macker 3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament, Ludington 
8am-6pm. $200/team. Stearns Park Beach, 421 Lakeshore Dr. Must register by June 1.Register your team: macker.com

MAY DAILY EVENTS

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and National Foster Care Month. See our Full Issues to read the stories.

7

Blood Drive, Manistee
12pm. Manistee Hospital, 1465 E Parkdale Ave.

Hot Hormones & Cool Conversations, Manistee
5-7:30pm. Free. Five healthcare specialists discuss women’s menopause, pelvic & abdominal rehabilitation and overall women’s wellness with panel, presentations and a movie, “The M Factor: Shredding the Silence of Menopause.” Fancy drinks & hors d’oeuvres. Vogue Theatre, 383 River St. RSVP at munsonhealthcare.org/hotandcool

8

Near & Farr Friends, Onekama 
11am. Tracy Barrilleaux will discuss end-of-life work with a death doula and hospice care. Onekama Township Hall, 5435 Main St.

Mother-Daughter Banquet, Fountain 
5:30pm Doors; 6:00pm Meal. Bring a dish to pass. Sherman Township Hall, 3854 E Main St. Info: 231.462.3533

 9

Riverton Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, Scottville 
7am-12pm. $12, ages 13 & up; $8, ages 7-12; $6, ages 3-6. Under 3 eat free. Bake sale, silent auction, 50/50 drawings. Proceeds benefit the fire dept. Riverton Township Hall, 2104 W Hawley Rd.

Crystal Rush Mountain Bike Race, Thompsonville 
Various start times depending on race category. Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr. Info/register: runsignup.com

Rats ‘n Rods Car Show, Manistee 
9am-3pm. Manistee VFW Post, 1211 28th St.

Guided Nature & Birdwatching Hike, Thompsonville
10-11:30am. Free with Art Park admission ($10 adults, $5 kids over 5 or $20 families) Led by Angie Quinn. Meet at Mich. Legacy Art Park Trailhead, ¼ mile from parking area, rain or shine. Bring binocs if avail. Check Facebook 1 hour prior for severe weather cancellation. Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr.

Antique Tractor Pulling, Scottville 
10am-2pm. Free for spectators. Western Michigan Old Engine Club sanctions dead weight tractor pulling for antique farm stock tractors.  All tractors must have been built prior to 1956. Riverside Park, 700 S. Scottville Rd.  

In concert: Vance Gilbert, Cadillac 
7-9pm. $14.38-28.29. Gopherwood House Concert, 4320 E 46 Rd. Info/tickets: gopherwoodconcerts.org

In concert: MJ Live (Michael Jackson tribute), Manistee 
9-10:30pm. $20 DOOR. Little River Casino Resort, 2700 Orchard Hwy.

10

Ludington Auto Club Cars & Coffee Car Meet, Ludington 
10am-1pm. Free, open to public. Coffee for purchase at Meraki Coffee Truck. The 10 Spot, 5750 US-10.

In concert: Chris Skellenger & Friends (Bill Staines tribute), Benzonia 
4-6pm. Free. Donations encouraged. To benefit the Benzie Area Community Emergency Fund & the Mills Community House, 891 Michigan Ave.

12

Weed the Park, Ludington 
10am-12pm. Free. Volunteer to 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. affew.org

Bees Knees Book Club, Beulah 
5-7pm. Laid-back gathering of book lovers. No assigned books/schedules. Good company & lively conversation about whatever you are reading or want to recommend. St. Ambrose Cellars, 841 S Pioneer Rd.

13

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

Sheep Shearing Demonstration, Free Soil 
4pm. Free for special needs folks & seniors. Free will donation requested for general public. In the wheelchair accessible barn at Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm, 5487 Tuttle Rd. RSVP at 231.462.3732 (no texts).

14

In concert: Dixon’s Violin, Ludington 
7pm. $25 ADV, $30 Door. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St. Tickets: www.ludingtonartscenter.org

In concert: Scottville Clown Band, Baldwin 
7pm. Baldwin AmVets Blessing, 1959 W. 24th St.

“Life on the Car Ferries,” Benzonia 
7pm. $5 donation suggested. Tim Foster presents what it was like for those living & working on the car ferries. Benzonia Academy Lecture Series. Mills Community House, 891 Michigan Ave.

14-17

54th Annual Blessing of the Bikes Festival, Baldwin
Gates open 9am. Blessing at 1pm. Free. Enjoy the 5000-10000 motorcycles, vendors, live bands & food. Baldwin Municipal Airport, 7668 S M-37.

15

Misty Acres Hike & Old-Growth Forest Network Induction, Benzonia 
10am. Free. Guided 1/2-mile spring celebratory hike to induct Misty Acres: The Borwell Preserve into the national Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN). Wear hiking shoes; bring water/snack. Sunscreen, bug spray & camera/binocs suggested. Registration required: gtrlc.org

15, 16

Tight Lines for Troops, Manistee
Free charity fishing event for veterans. Info: tightlinesfortroops.com

Vendor/Craft Show & Flea Market, Scottville
10am-2pm Friday, 9am-3pm Saturday. First Methodist Church of Scottville, 114 W State St.

16

Ludington Petunia Parade, Ludington
6am-12pm. Volunteer to plant petunias along Ludington Ave. & around Ludington Municipal Marina. Pick up petunias at Rotary Park (City Park), 500 W. Ludington Ave.

Infinite Mystery Challenge Disc Golf Tournament, Ludington
8am. $45. Singles tournament with 2 rounds. Leviathan Course, 517 N Jebavy Dr. Info/register: discgolfscene.com

Film premiere: “Railroad on Water: The Legend of the SS Badger,” Ludington
10am & 4pm. Chronicles the history & legacy of the last U.S.-operated coal-fired steamship. Explores the rise & fall of Great Lakes’ railroad car ferry service. Ludington Area Center for the Arts, 107 S Harrison St. Morning attendees are invited to a live panel discussion at 1:30pm (doors open 1pm) exploring the making of the film, the historical research & the vessel’s ongoing legacy, with a Q&A session at the Maritime Museum, 217 S Lakeshore Dr.

Blast Into Summer Party, Ludington
Annual benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association presented by the Lakeshore Pyrate Heads. Check their Facebook page for details. 50/50 raffle, live auction, live music. Sportsmans/The Mitten Bar, 109 W. Ludington Ave.

Open Boat Night on the S.S. Badger, Ludington
8:30-11:30pm. $10. Guests may come aboard the docked car ferry to explore the passenger areas & outer decks & enjoy Joe Stickney live in the Cabana Room. Gift shop, concessions & full-service bars. 701 Maritime Dr.

17

Pere Marquette XC 5k, Ludington
9am. $20 students, $30 adults. 100 Ludington Ave. Info/registration: https://runludington.com

 2026 Stories That Heal Community Concert, Frankfort
7pm. The Garden Theater, 301 Main St.