Celebrating Valentines and New Members

Love And Festivals Are In the Air This Month

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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February

Well, the month of January presented us with interesting weather. It gave our Band of Locals board a chance to catch up and visit with some of our new members. We would like to take this time to welcome Bulldog Cinema, located at 1100 Maple Street. This is a cozy theatre with great food and movies. Use your Blue Band for savings and give them a call at 231-598-9370 for show times. You can also go to their Facebook page or website for more details. 

Another new Band of Locals member is Fatbelly Deli and Creamery. This Deli is located at 20751 8 Mile Road in Stanwood and serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and ice cream. Jake Butler tells us everything is made from scratch, so bring your appetite! They are open 7 days a week and are looking forward to meeting you. Don’t forget to bring your Blue Band to enjoy Band of Locals Specials. Winter Hours are 11:00 am – 8:00pm every day. Summer Hours 10:00am – 10:00pm 7 days a week.

Amanda Langell, owner of Performance Enhancing Body Work just joined the Band of Locals. Amanda specializes in Sports Massage and you can reach her by calling 231-598-1354. Her Band of Locals special is $5.00 off every massage.

The Band of Locals is excited that the Amvets Post 1941 is another new member. If you are interested in joining the Amvets you can call them at 231-796-6998

and get information. They are a very busy organization that features many upcoming community nights such as burger night that is open to the public and February 9th, you can enjoy a smoked pork chop dinner from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. The first Sunday morning of each month the Amvets offer a pancake breakfast.  The Amvets is located at 220 South 4th Street. 

We would like to welcome Elite Sign and Apparel as a new Band of Local member. Elite Signs and Apparel is located at 1101 East Elm Street and they will be having their Grand Opening on February 9th. The possibilities are endless from windows to Walls with their canvas prints and creative graphics. They have the ability to do vehicle graphics and also offer screen printing and embroidery for clothing and accessories. They will feature a full functioning retail location. Bring in your bands for extra savings!!

We would also like to thank the Big Rapids Eagles 2535 for joining the Band of Locals. Their Bluejean Ball is coming up on Saturday, February 9th and will have a dinner along with live music! Make sure to check out this event! We are happy to have the Big Rapids Eagles 2535 part of the Band of Locals. You can like them on Facebook and check out their meals, events and all they have to offer. If you are interested in renting a space for an event or are interested in joining, give them a call at 231-796-6453. The Big Rapids Eagles are located at 18361 16 Mile Road. 

If you are a business member of The Band of Locals we would love to have you as a

guest on our radio show that is on every Friday morning on SUNNY 97.3

If you are not a business but have purchased a Blue Band for ten dollars and have a community event you are part of give us a call at 231-796-2502 and talk to Carlleen we will be happy to feature you on our show. 

Be sure to check out the new exciting menu at Three Girls Bakery Deli and Catering. It is so nice to be able to enjoy a full breakfast downtown. Their lunches are great too! Give them a call at 231-796-4822 for your next catering event.

Valentine’s Day is February 14th. Don’t forget to call in your Kilwins Chocolate Dipped Strawberry order ahead of the big rush at 231-796-2502. They will be fresh, juicy, sweet and enclosed in a special strawberry box gift wrapped beautifully. Kilwins will have your favorite fudge made along with our award-winning chocolate truffles and a host of other special Valentine treats. You’ll also receive 10% off with your Band of Locals Blue Band! 

The Old Pioneer features Valentines cards of every description and the latest sequined stuffed animals. You’ll discover award-winning lotions and bath gels, jewelry, candles and custom Valentine gift baskets and 10% off with your Blue Band. 

At Patterson’s Flowers you will receive 20 % off any non-perishable item from their gift shop with your Blue Band. They are a great place to buy your Valentine flowers. Call them at 241-796-8683.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend...so are opals, emeralds and anything that is set in a ring, bracelet, necklace or earring...Valentines’ Day is a perfect time to give a little bling to your sweetheart and with your Blue Band you can receive a free jar of jewelry cleaner with a jewelry purchase at Rogers Jewelers. They are located at 114 S. Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids. 

We would like to thank January’s guest host Lenny Schebile for filling in and videographer Marianne Biggart Pitts of Pampered Chef for being part of the team! 

Don’t forget to check out all of the great venues for Festival of the Arts. Festival of Arts Facebook page has events listed and you can also go on their website at: www.brfota.org where a digital booklet with all the events are listed. 

What a great community we live in that works well together and offers so much to do and has so many wonderful small businesses to do business with! 

Tax season is right around the corner and who wouldn’t love to get their taxes in early? Make sure to call Band of Locals member, Bergelin & Murphy for a blend of personal service and expertise to fulfill all of your tax needs. They can be contacted at 231-796-2832.

Carlleen Rose- Band of Locals President Owner The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium/Big Rapids Kilwins Chocolates

February is here. Not only is it the shortest month of the year it is typically one of the coldest months as well. Not to worry, there are plenty of exciting events, festivals and activities in Mecosta County to keep you and your family warm and busy.

With the amazing list of community events, including the Big Rapids Festival of the Arts, you and your sweetheart will be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day all month long.

One of the most highly anticipated events in Big Rapids is the annual Festival of the Arts that takes place the entire month of February. Festival of the Arts represents the collaboration of many sponsors. The goal in planning the festival events is to reach all audiences, ages and interests, while representing multiple arts aspects. Enjoy numerous workshops that give you the opportunity to get a hands-on, up-close art experience. Most of the workshops have limited seating so you will need to register to attend.

To ensure that you don’t miss out on any of these amazing events be sure and pick up a copy of the Festival of the Arts booklet at the Mecosta County Welcome Center on S. State Street, visit the Festival of the Arts online at www.brfota.org or log on to the Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Community Events Calendar on our mobile friendly website at www.BigRapids.org.

For the music lovers out there, the Festival of the Arts offers a vast variety of performances. The Big Rapids High School will be hosting musical events by their students, experience an evening of Ragtime Piano with Michigan based ragtime artists Peter Berglin, WMU’s

award winning vocal Jazz ensemble Gold Company, Music Therapy at End of Life with Emily Smith and Amber McDaniel, Harmonicas in Class, Chicago based Lunar Ticks with a little bit of rock, punk, country funk, soul, bluegrass and beyond, Russian Romance with Maxim Rubtsov on flute and Sergi Kvitko on piano, a Symphonic Celebration with the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, Lute Day featuring the pear-shaped wooden musical instrument, a guitar concert by Paul Asbell, Voices of Freedom Patriotic Concert, Hammered Dulcimer and Bazouki Concert, Swing Dance and Big Band Jazz with the Flat River Big Band, Dance and Music of India, the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo and a Children’s Concert presented by the FSU Bands and Orchestra.

The Festival of the Arts also caters to those that enjoy great theatrical performances, films, educational classes and demonstrations.

For theatre lovers, there are plenty of shows this month during the Festival of the Arts. The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu is a comic opera in two acts. There is also Love, Loss and What I Wore, a play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women. This production will feature several performances with different casts and locations. The Big Rapids Middle School is putting a production of The Wizard of Oz and will have a couple performances of this show. For comedy enthusiasts, Ferris State University’s theatre fraternity of Alpha Psi Omega will be having an evening of improv sketches on random topics suggested by you the audience! History will never be the same after you watch The Complete History of America! Join cast members in this irreverent romp through our nation’s past that will be like a rollercoaster ride through the years of America.

Numerous classes and workshops are also being offered this month during the

Festival of the Arts. Some of these exciting classes and workshops include welding, knitting, comics, fermentation, cookies and canvas, moon stamps, gourmet cooking, culinary medicine, wine and canvas and more! Make sure to check the calendar and the Festival of the Arts website for all the dates, times, and information.

The Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau is always proud to promote our great community and all that we have here. What better way to show off Mecosta County than by hosting your next business meeting, conference or organizational event right here in the greater Big Rapids area. If you are looking for a formal boardroom setting, educational or classroom atmosphere, vendor space as well as breakout rooms, we have the facilities for you.

The Hampton Inn of Big Rapids can comfortably accommodate 30 people in a professional boardroom setting. Customize your meeting by adding additional services such as food & beverage offerings, sleeping rooms, audio visual and more. We make planning easy so you can focus your time on making your meeting a success.

For larger gatherings such as educational seminars, a classroom style atmosphere, vendor space as well as breakout rooms, the Holiday Inn Big Rapids is the perfect choice. Let their professional staff help you create a business or social event that will not only meet but beat all of you and your guests’ expectations. With over 18,000 square foot of function space and 11 meeting rooms no detail will be left undone.

For that perfect wedding reception designed around you and your special day, let the trained professionals at the Holiday Inn ensure every detail is met. From their beautiful ballroom setting to hors d’oeuvres, plated or buffet style meals to the perfect décor and centerpieces.

You and your guests can also rest assure that all of your overnight accommodation expectations will be met. From standard guestrooms that comfortably accommodate singles, couples, and families to deluxe suite with upgraded amenities for that special time away from it all.

Mecosta County offers a variety of hotel choices to include full-service hotels, your favorite chain brand(s) and all of the amenities you are looking for. From room service, indoor or outdoor pools, business centers, exercise facilities, to suites and more. A complete list of area hotels can be found on our website under the Lodging and Meetings tab at the top of our web page.

After a long day of planning, celebrating or brainstorming, make time to unwind while you are here. The staff here at the Mecosta County CVB are happy to work with you and your group to plan unique adventures that help create a great team-building atmosphere, or an opportunity to just get out and unwind. After all, Visitors is our middle name!

It is going to be another busy and exciting month in beautiful Mecosta County. To ensure you and your family keep up with all of the latest happenings be sure to keep our Community Events Calendar on your radar. You don’t want to miss out on any of the numerous events, festival and activities going on right here in our own community.

No matter what your plans are during this month of February be sure and make time to unwind with family and friends while experiencing your adventure here in Mother Nature’s Playground.

Connie Koepke – Executive Director Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Downtown Big Rapids 231-796-5881 SchubergAgency.com

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Big Rapids Eagles Aerie & Auxiliary 2535

18361 16 Mile Rd.Big Rapids, MI

(231) 796-6453

Singles Night Feb. 8Sweethearts Bluejean Ball Feb. 9

Breakfast Feb. 17Casino Bus Trip March 16-17

Craft Show March 30St. Patty’s Dinner March 13

Jimmy Buffet Bash March 23Breakfast March 24

Spring Craft Show March 30Yooper Dinner April 13

Purchase your BLUE BAND for $10 and enjoy savings at over 140 different local businesses!

For More Information231.796.2502