Summer Fun Continues in Mecosta County

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The Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau has had an amazing year of partnerships and marketing projects. One of our most exciting announcements was recently made on July 17 with our strategic investment of $100,000 in the Michigan’s Dragon Trail project!

With outdoor recreation creating 2.2% of the annual US economy, quantifying in $412 billion dollars, and $26.6 billion in outdoor recreation consumer spending right here in our home state of Michigan, it is easy to see how this is a solid investment being made by the Mecosta County C.V.B.

“We see the Dragon Trail project as a key investment that will bring even more Pure Michigan magic to Mecosta County,” stated Connie Koepke, Executive Director of the Mecosta County C.V.B. “The Dragon Trail will add world-class mountain biking and hiking along with winter activities such as fat bikes and dog sledding, not to mention dozens of related events in our already compelling story for attracting visitors. Plus, Mecosta County offers hundreds of quality hotel rooms, great hospitality and entertainment venues designed to attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the country and around the world.”

Scott Faulkner, Fundraising Coordinator for the Dragon Trail Project, also commented, “The Mecosta County C.V.B. is making a very important, early investment in this incredible trail resource, which will lead to new levels of economic development in the region. Based on our research with Michigan State University, Mecosta County and Big Rapids are very likely to see a sustainable surge in economic activity for many years to come.”

Along with being the first financial sponsor of the Dragon Trail, the Mecosta County C.V.B. has earned the distinction of having the longest suspension bridge in the project (one of three) named after their organization.

Both Newaygo and Mecosta Counties have contributed seed capital dollars to fund development of the Dragon and several important grants have also been received to assist in development and construction. The bulk of the construction funding will come from State and Federal Grants, private, corporate and foundational fees, parking fees, donations and the County Parks Departments budgets (both Mecosta and Newaygo counties). The Dragon Trail is expected to take two years for complete construction. To learn more about the Michigan’s Dragon Trail project visit them on the web at thedragon.us or on the Mecosta County C.V.B. website at BigRapids.org/Trails.

Annual festivals and celebrations are still abundant this summer season in Mecosta County. The Village of Morley continues celebrating their Sesquicentennial with the kick off of Morley’s Celebration on the Pond. On Friday, August 2, stop out to the Car Show in Downtown Morley with free inflatables for the kids. Registration for the Car Show is from 4:00pm-7:00pm with trophies presented at 8:00pm. Fireworks at dusk!

Celebration on the Pond continues Saturday, August 3, with Truck and Tractor pulls at 11:00am, Over the Road Semis, Men’s and Powderpuff classes, at 2:00pm, Semi Pull-Off at 5:30pm and MI Wolverine NTPA, Mini-Mods, Super Farm Tractors, NTPA 20,000lb Super Semis at 8:00pm. All day gate fee is just $20 for adults with kids 6-12 years only $5 and 5 years and under free.

Also on Saturday there will be a craft show held in the new Morley Community Center (the former Morley Middle School) from 10:00am - 3:00pm. Stop out and shop for great homemade gifts and if you haven’t had a chance to check out the new community center, it is a great opportunity to do so. Visit the Morley Celebration on the Pond Facebook page for more details.

The Annual BRHS All-Class Reunion will be held in downtown Big Rapids on Saturday, August 3, from 5:00pm-11:00pm. Join

them for food, drinks, and live music on the 100 block of Michigan Ave. This event is free to attend, but they ask that you register in advance at brhsalumni.com/2019-all-class-reunion. A barbeque dinner will be catered by the Blue Cow Cafe at a cost of $20 per person. If you’d like to eat with them, please register using the form online and paying by credit card. Evening includes Cash Bar and Barbeque Dinner from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Rick Steinke, Class of ‘74, and the Alumni Association Scholarship to a graduating senior at 7:00pm. Live Music and Dancing will be from 7:30pm -11:00pm.

The 2019 Saddle Up for Childhood Hunger Trail Ride, sponsored by Angels of Action, is Saturday, August 3 from 9:00am - 7:00pm at D Bar D Ranch in Chase. Come ride with them to help battle childhood hunger in our community. They have planned flexible start times for riders who prefer to ride a two or four-hour guided trail ride; or a trail ride just with your friends along the wooded trails at D Bar D Ranch. They have also added a Wagon Ride option and a Poker Ride. After your ride, enjoy a cookout at the clubhouse. Registration information, pledge sheets, and additional information available at www.angelsofaction.org.

Morley’s Sesquicentennial celebration will wrap-up on Sunday, August 4, from 1:00pm – 4:00pm with a Canoe and Kayak Race starting at 1:00pm and a Putting and Chipping Golf Competition at 2:00pm – both will be held at and hosted by MOE-Z Inn. For more information call the MOE-Z Inn at 231.856.4496.

Share the Harvest with Manna Pantry on Friday, August 9, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Downtown Big Rapids on Michigan Avenue. The Manna Pantry is partnering with the Downtown Big Rapids Farmers Market, area farmers and local chefs to celebrate the harvest season with a “farm to table”. Participants will enjoy the best our community offers in locally grown and prepared foods. Proceeds benefit the

hungry in Mecosta & Osceola Counties. Dinner Ticket cost is $50 per person; $35 of the ticket purchase supports the mission of the Manna Pantry of Big Rapids. Tickets can be purchased at Manna Pantry, The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, Three Girls Bakery, Currie’s Gas Station, or online at sharetheharvest.eventbrite.com. Their mission is to provide emergency food to our neighbors in need, while treating them with dignity and respect.

The Downtown Big Rapids Business Association’s Summer Fest is back Saturday, August 24 from 11:00am - 6:00pm and is bigger than ever! Michigan Ave. will be blocked off and Summer Fest takes over on all four downtown city blocks. This event is in collaboration with FSU Bulldog Beginnings providing a great opportunity for the downtown business community and Ferris students to get to know one another. Attractions at Summer Fest include: the Bangarang Circus Aerial Show, Bulldog Express Trackless Train, Balsam Brothers, Downtown Scavenger Hunt, Cran-Hill Ranch Rock Wall, Sidewalk Sales, Acoustic Open Mic, Artwork Artist Demos, Y102 Live Remote, vendors, and more.  This is an amazing day that you do not want to miss!

For more information on these other great events and activities in Mecosta County visit us online at BigRapids.org and click on our Community Events Calendar or Things To Do page.

Don’t forget, you can stop in and see us in person at the Mecosta County Welcome from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday thru Friday and Saturdays 9:00am – 2:00pm (during the months of June, July and August).

We hope you have an amazing August Creating Your Own Summertime Adventures in beautiful Mecosta County!

Connie Koepke – Executive Director Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau – Your official tourism resource for Mecosta County

211 Maple Street • Big Rapids, MIwww.bergelinmurphy.com

Can you believe how fast this summer has whizzed by? So many activities line our daily calendars it’s no wonder we shake our heads and hope summer days will slow down so we can catch a few more sun rays before the evenings turn colder and become shorter with fall approaching.

Our Band of Local businesses have been busy with summer traffic and new people visiting our area discovering the Winery at Young’s Farm in Mecosta and taste testing new wines at Heavenly Vineyards in Morley. We’ve had one year celebrations at Bulldog Cinema and Fatbelly Deli and Creamery. The outdoor eateries at The Blue Cow, Raven and Gypsy Nickel have been jam packed with diners and good luck trying to find a table at Schuberg’s Bar and Grill!

The tables at Kilwins and Toppings have been busy with customers enjoying cool treats and many locals and out of towners have enjoyed delicious dinners at Nawal’s and choosing a favorite brew at Cranker’s.

The streets have been full of people enjoying the outdoor Artwork put up around town by the folks at Artworks and celebrating the dedication of the Batdorff Art Gallery named after a family that has blessed our community for many years.

STAGE- M and the Pocket Park musicians have entertained us all summer long and the Blues, Brews and BBBQ event was a huge success held in the Bandshell along our beautiful Muskegon River.

We’ve enjoyed our week of Mecosta County Fair activities and taking advantage of tubing, kayaking and swimming in our lakes and the Muskegon River.

We’ve explored the neat one-of-a-kind finds at Paris Antiques and had our fair

share of the delicious pizza at Pizza in Paris. Taking strolls along our beautiful Riverwalk and maybe saw a glimpse of the Eagle who makes her home there.

Our gardens look beautiful with the flowers and plants we purchased at P&J Plantiqes in Rogers Heights and Leanne’s Flowers in Big Rapids. Don’t forget to stop at The Big Rapids Farm and Garden to purchase your fertilizer to keep them strong and vibrant!

We’ve gotten our gas at Curries BP for our road trips and checked out their sign that lets us know what is happening in our town.

Make a stop into Serendipity Downtown in Big Rapids and you’ll find the perfect outfit to wear at the 150 BRHS All Class Reunion that will be celebrated downtown on Michigan Avenue on Saturday, August 3. Morley’s Celebration on the Pond is happening soon too, so freshen up that summer hair style at Natural Beauty, E &M

or Earth Wind and Fire salons!

Perfect your golf swing at Falcon Head and Katke Golf courses and enjoy those warm summer days.

Remember to bring your Band of Locals Blue Band to take advantage of savings with these Band of Locals businesses and...if you haven’t purchased one they are only $10.00 and are good for years!

We hope to see you out and about supporting our local businesses that are generous in giving back to our community. For a complete list of Band of Locals businesses visit our website at BandOfLocals.com.

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer exploring and enjoying the great communities we live in!

Carlleen Rose-President of The Band of Locals. Owner of Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream of Big Rapids And The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium

WHAT’S HAPPENING August

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Summer is Whizzing By

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Volunteers and community members support local children with school supply donations nationwide

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