Traverse City Art Fairs & Craft Shows
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
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The lakeshore communities of West Michigan do a fantastic job of hosting events and activities that include the whole family. There’s so much happening that is geared specifically toward kids and families as a whole, and that’s part of what makes being here so amazing!
Every season in West Michigan has it’s unique, fun things to do for kids of all ages- from babies up to the “young at heart”. Indoors or outdoors, no matter the time of year, there’s always something great going on along the lakeshore for families to experience together!
In addition to the following list, check out all the special events and programs provided by Sandcastles Children’s Museum and the Ludington and Scottville branches of the Mason County District Libraries.
Opening Day of the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area
Silver Lake State Park.
Victory Early Childhood Center/Mason County Central Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Registration
Families with children who turn 4 on or before September 1st, 2023, are invited to register for the Great Start Readiness Preschool Program at Scottville Elementary School- 201 W. Maple Ave., Scottville. Parents should bring the child’s birth certificate and a copy of their 2021 income tax W2 form or other current income verification. Families with children turning 4 between September 1st-December 1st, 2024.
School-Wide Open House at Covenant Christian School
Students eligible for enrollment range from 3 years old through 8th grade. The event includes a school tour, teacher talks, enrollment packets, and more. Covenant Christian School- 2980 W. US-10, Ludington.
Victory Early Childhood Center/Mason County Central Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Registration
Families with children who turn 4 on or before September 1st, 2024, are invited to register for the Great Start Readiness Preschool Program at Victory Early Childhood Center- 4171 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. Parents should bring the child’s birth certificate and a copy of their 2021 income tax W2 form or other current income verification. Families with children turning 4 between September 1st-December 1st, 2024.
West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
WSCC Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Pentwater Preschool Playgroup & Registration
Families with children who turn 4 on or before December 1st, 2024, are invited. Parents should bring the child’s birth certificate, proof of income, health checkup, and immunization record. All children ages 2-4 are invited to the playgroup portion of the event. Pentwater Preschool- 600 Park St., Pentwater.
Diapers & Donuts
Drive through event where families with children ages 3 and under are invited to receive diapers for the child(ren). Diapers sizes newborn-size 6 will be available. Car seat safety checks also offered on site. West Shore Family Support- 603 E. Tinkham Ave., Ludington.
Ludington Preschool Round-Up
Families with children who will be 3 or 4 by September 1st, 2024 are invited to learn about preschool programs and the enrollment process, and meet the staff. Enrollment requires a driver’s license, and the child’s birth certificate and proof of immunizations. Ludington Elementary School- 5771 Bryant Rd., Ludington.
Girls Rock
Celebration of women through music, poetry, and speakers. Hosted by Ludrock. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.
Performance by the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra
Messiah at Corson Auditorium- 4000 M-137, Interlochen.
West Shore Community Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee.
Kindergarten Round-Up at Spitler Elementary School
Thursday from 4:30-6pm and Friday from 11am-3pm. Families with children turning 5 on or before September 1st, 2024 are invited to register from the 2024-2025 school year. In order to register, parents should bring the child’s birth certificate, up-to-date immunization records, proof of residency, hearing/vision screening, and the parent or guardian’s photo ID. Children will receive a free goody bag and raffle entry. Contact the school at (231) 873-6237 for more information.
Mom 2 Mom Sale
Sale of gently used baby and kids’ items, spring and summer clothing, toys, books, and more. $1 entry fee. Faith Covenant Church- 475 Eighth St., Manistee.
AFFEW Earth Day Events
Presentations, informational booths, kids activities, and more. Free and open to the public. United Methodist Church of Ludington- 5810 W. Bryant Rd., Ludington.
Book Walk
Families with children age 5 and under are invited to participate in this 1/2 mile walk with activities along the way held in conjunction with the dedication of the Shelby Pocket Park Little Library. Participants will receive free books and Talking is Teaching resources (supplies limited). Shelby Pocket Park- 175 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby.
Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Lakeshore Animal Friends
Event also includes a ticket raffle for a Bubble Hockey Table and a silent auction. Dinner includes spaghetti, side salad, choice of bread, and a beverage. Tickets are $12 per person at the door or $10 per person for pre-orders. Kids 10 and under eat for $6. To pre-order, contact Julie Henry on Facebook, PayPal Julie at julieann1967@gmail.com, or Venmo Julie at julieLAF.
Michigan Youth Ballet performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Playhouse at White Lake- 304 S. Mears St., Whitehall.
Open Enrollment at Gateway 2 Success Academy
Children from 6th-12th grades are invited to join the Wolfpack at G2S Academy for the 2024-2025 school year. Enrollment packets can be found online at g2sacademy.org or at the school- 524 N. Scottville Rd., Scottville.
West Shore Community Concert Choir Performance
WSCC Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville.
Mom 2 Mom Sale
Sale of gently used baby and kids’ items, spring and summer clothing, toys, books, and more. $2 entry fee (under age 12 free). Cornerstone Baptist Church- 121 Nelson Rd., Ludington.
Ludington Lake Jump
Participants raise money for a new organization each year and jump into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. Registration at 10:30am, jump at 11am. Stearns Park, Ludington.
Scottville Clown Band Performance at the Kalkaska Trout Festival
Kalkaska
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
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Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
The colorful attire and crazy antics of the Scottville Clown Band amuse people, but they also have extraordinary musical talent.
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
Find artifacts, photographs, and lots of information and stories about the rich history of Pentwater at this historic museum!
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
Get some fresh air and exercise during those cold winter months when you hit the Pentwater Pathway for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville’s Riverside Park.
Enjoy the happiest of holidays in West Michigan! From Manistee to Ludington and every city in-between, there is holiday cheer all around!
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.