We are sure you will have a great time Exploring all that Mecosta County has to offer! | |
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The Mecosta County Visitors Bureau Visitors Guide is available at our Welcome Center today and/or you can find the digital version on our website HERE.
Escaping for an afternoon excursion, weekend getaway, or even if you are looking to relocate to the area, we have the information and resources to make your stay the best it can be. Read through our visitors guide giving you all the information you need to know to Explore over 100 Lakes, the Muskegon River, Award-Winning Golf Courses, Endless Trails, Breweries, Wineries, Unique Cuisine not to mention Festivals, Events, the Arts and great Lodging Facilities.
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With the holiday season in motion, if you need lodging ideas or want to get out of the house and have a
"stay-cation" without traveling, make sure to go to BigRapids.org and click on our Lodging Tab!
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- 15344 Waldron Way in Big Rapids
- 231-5227-9000
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- 1005 Perry Street in Big Rapids
- 231-796-4400
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- 845 Water Tower Rd in Big Rapids
- 231-796-1588
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- 11969 Tullymore Dr. in Stanwood
- 231-972-4837
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- 15320 Waldron Way in Big Rapids
- 231-527-7333
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- 1705 S. State St in Big Rapids
- 231-592-5150
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- 2097 Northland Dr. in Morley
- 231-856-7820
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- 11969 Tullymore Dr. in Stanwood
- 231-972-4837
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Downtown Big Rapids Santa Visits are Back! Here is 2023's Schedule:
- November 18th after parade at The Pioneer Group
- November 25th from 2pm-5pm at The Old Pioneer & Emporium
- December 2nd from 12pm-2pm at The Yellow Window
- December 10th from 12pm-2pm at Patterson's Flowers
- December 14th from 5pm-7pm at Red Fox Market
- December 15th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Blue Cow Cafe
- December 16th from 11am-1pm at Three Girls Bakery
- December 17th from 12pm-2pm at Serendipity
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This Annual Event is a Downtown Shopping & Family Event and a December to Remember! Friday, December 15th from
5pm-8pm in Downtown Big Rapids!
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November 13-December 23
Business Hours: Monday-Saturday from 10am-4pm at The Painted Turtle Gift Shop in Artworks
You will enjoy finding one of a kind gifts for your loved ones at the Holiday Market. During the Holiday Market, the Painted Turtle Gift Shop welcomes in a selection of new Michigan artists for your holiday gift giving.
| Season of Giving/Coffee with a Cop | |
Big Rapids Police Department is hosting the fourth annual Season of Giving gift drive benefitting Family Bound of Mecosta County.
The holiday gift drive will take place on Saturday, December 9th, from 9am to noon at The Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, 435 N. Michigan Ave. Santa will be on-site to accept your donation and take pictures with you.
This event is being held in conjunction with Coffee with a Cop. Feel free to come in and grab a cup of coffee or cocoa and say hello to your local officers. This is a great opportunity to get to know us and support a great cause.
| Chippewa Hills Band Boosters Craft & Vendor Show | |
Saturday, December 9th from 10am-4pm at Chippewa Hills High School
Come support an amazing band program and finish up your Christmas shopping at the same time. Change - ONE DAY ONLY. Wood crafts, sewn, sweet treats, unique gifts and more! Santa will be on-site for photos, holiday Band concert and food truck for lunch!
| Trinity Fellowship EFC invites you to "a Celtic Christmas" with THE FOUNDING. Concerts be held at 4:30pm & 7:00pm on Saturday, December 9th in the Worship Center of the Big Rapids campus. Bring your family and friends to this musical event! | Holiday Cookie Decorating | |
Wednesday, December 13
6pm-8pm at CL Pizza Co. in Stanwood
Get in the holiday spirit and test out your decorating skills! Ginger’s Cookie Jar will be at CL Pizza to teach us how to make the most beautiful holiday sugar cookies!
$40/per person
Includes: Instructions, 6 Sugar Cookies, and a Hot Chocolate
Stop in to reserve your spot today! Limited space available
| Christmas Cookie Decorating Class at The Corner Cup | |
Wednesday, December 13
6pm-8pm at The Corner Cup
Get into the Christmas spirit! Learn how to decorate Christmas sugar cookies! Anyone can do it! You will leave class with the 6 cookies you've decorated as well as recipes and a practice sheet. Door prize at each full class of 15! Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. There are only 15 seats available, and these classes usually sell out quickly. Don't wait! Sorry, NO REFUNDS will be given within 24 hours of the event. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 9th.
| Kids' DIY-U Workshop: Holiday Delivery Truck | |
Saturday, December 16
10am-1pm at Lowe's in Big Rapids
Calling all little elves! Join us for this jolly Holiday Delivery Truck build that’s also a gift card holder! Kids will love hand-crafting this unique toy that also makes a memorable gift.
| Let Me Listen: A Voca Lyrica Holiday Concert | |
Voca Lyrica proudly presents its annual holiday concert titled “Let Me Listen.”
Our choir program, full of holiday cheer, combines traditional carols such as We Need a Little Christmas and Winter Wonderland with moving new renditions including Cradle Hymn and All Is Well, which are sure to warm your heart. We’ll also showcase the Con Brio Voce Brass Quintet and Paul Heidemann, organist. We look forward to seeing you there to help us ring in this celebratory season!
- Dates: Saturday, December 16 at 7pm and Sunday, December 17 at 6pm
- Location: The United Church at 120 S. State Street, Big Rapids
- Ticket price: $12.50 general admission
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Purchase tickets: Patterson’s Flowers, Artworks, The Purple Plum, or online at https://vocalyrica.ludus.com/
| To see all these holiday events along with other events and happenings in the Big Rapids Region you can visit the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau's Calendar of Events at www.BigRapids.org/CalendarofEvents | | |
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Every Friday and Saturday Night from 5:30pm-8:30pm beginning November 11, 2023 to January 6, 2024.
The Castle in Canadian Lakes, Michigan will be lit up for the 2023 holiday season by Century 21 White House Realty. Over 100,000 LED lights will drape the outside walls of the Castle creating a holiday must see and our area's premier holiday display.
Visitors to Canadian Lakes must obtain a FREE vehicle pass. Go to: Vehicle Pass | Mysite (nightsoflights.org) for your vehicle pass.
| Tell the kids Santa is coming to town! December 9th from 10am-1pm Santa will be in for breakfast at Antlers Fireside Grill in Canadian Lakes. Call to reserve your spot 231-359-1161! | Santa's Coming to The Morley Community Center | |
Saturday, December 9th, from 11am-1pm
Use the parking lot and entrance on the south side of the building.
Kids...Bring your letter to Santa, make an ornament and enjoy snacks.
Everyone...Sit back and enjoy cookies, popcorn and a cup of hot cocoa and while visiting with friends! Bring a camera/phone for pictures with Santa.
Sponsored by: American Legion Post 554, Community First Federal Credit Union, Morley Community Center and Village of Morley.
| Ferris State University presents: A Symphonic Santa Sunday! | Sunday, December 10th at 4:00pm at Williams Auditorium, you can enjoy A Symphonic Santa Sunday presented by Ferris State University! This family holiday concert will feature wonderful FSU choir, band and orchestra. Special appearance by Santa Claus, Marcos & Sally the Clowns along with treats for kids. There will also be a charity drive for The Salvation Army - Big Rapids, MI. and feel free to donate toys, diapers and/or money for local families in need. Free admission to the concert and for any questions, please call 231-796-5597. | |
Wednesday, December 13
6pm-7:30pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Big Rapids
All are welcome for this contemplative service of remembrance and healing for those who are hurting, stressed, or lonely during the holidays.
| Christmas Candlelight Musical | |
Friday, December 15 at 6pm
Big Jackson Church of God in Paris
Join us for our Christmas Musical at 6pm!
Warm drinks and Christmas cookies to follow!
All are welcome!
| Trinity Fellowship's After-School Kids Drama Club presents Christmas in Egypt, a children's musical! Join us on Saturday, December 16th at 3:30pm to support the kids! | |
Sunday, December 17
Join St. Andrew's to bring Christmas cheer to members of our parish throughout Canadian Lakes and Big Rapids. Meet in the parking lot at St. Andrew's, Big Rapids at 1pm to carpool. Songbooks will be provided.
| Treblemakers and Friends Scholarship Holiday Concert | |
Sunday, December 17 at 2pm
The TrebleMakers Youth Choir proudly presents its annual scholarship holiday concert. Come hear young voices filled with excitement and wonder at the joy of the season. Directed by Katie McInnis, the program will also feature the Big Rapids Middle School Honors Choir, TrebleMakers alumni, Voca Lyrica, and past Voca Lyrica youth scholarship winners.
- Location: The United Church at 120 S. State Street, Big Rapids
- Tickets: free admission, donations gratefully accepted for the Voca Lyrica Youth Scholarship Endowment
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Big Rapids
Community Library
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- 426 S Michigan Ave in Big Rapids
- 231-796-5234
| Stop by the circulation desk on the first floor for an activity sheet and more information on December's scavenger hunt. Once it has been completed, turn your sheet in for a prize! | |
Fridays in December from 3:30pm-5:30pm
Meet us in the Media Room to create using Lego® Bricks or try out a board game! Most games available to checkout after the event.
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Wednesdays at 11am library.
December 6 to December 20
Stories, Songs, & Movement!
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2nd Saturday of each month at 11am at the library.
Join Mr. Howard for family fun! Stories, Music, & Movement!
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Join us on the second Tuesday of each month for a guided craft! December's Craft: unique holiday cards
Space is limited. Register online at (https://forms.gle/szqaxNnsp7j6QZX6A) or by phone at (231) 796-5234. Library staff will contact you a few days before the program to confirm your spot.
| Wheatland Township Library |
- 207 W Michigan Ave in Remus
- 989-967-8271
| A variety of food, children's books, hats, gloves and mittens. Stop by the Wheatland Township Library today. | New adult books at the Wheatland Township Library. | Libraries in Mecosta County | Mecosta County has libraries around the area that are dynamic forces in our communities that provide a friendly environment, quality information and open access to resources, along with hosting events and more! | | |
- 110 S James St in Mecosta
- 231-972-8315
| Christmas Family Fun Night | |
Wednesday, December 13th
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Santa is Coming to the Library!
Come one, come all. Share your holiday wishes with Santa, make Christmas crafts, and play fun holiday games!
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Tuesdays 10 - 11am
September 5 - December 12,
Children, ages 5 and under, and their parents/caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, crafts, and FUN!
*If Chippewa Hills Schools close as a result of inclement weather, Story Hour will also be canceled.
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Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 1pm in the library.
Are you interested in reading a variety of literature? Do you enjoy discussing literary works? If so, this is the group for you! New members are always welcome.
Monthly Book Selections
| Friends of the Library Used Book Store | The Friends of the Library Bookstore is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am - 1pm and Wednesdays from 1pm - 4pm. Browse through a variety of gently used fiction and non-fiction books, children's books, audiobooks, and DVDs. The Friends are also accepting book donations. | Walton Erickson Public Library |
- 4808 Northland Dr in Morley
- 231-856-4298
| Computer Workstations for Sale | We have two very Sturdy Laminate; Adjustable Height Computer work stations for sale $25.00 each if interested contact Cory @Library. 231-856-4298. |
- 198 Northern Ave in Barryton
- 989-382-5288
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We have a branch library at Chippewa Lake located in the Township building. You can check out books, use one of our 4 public computers, print, make copies, scan items and fax all there at the library.
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The DNR has this interactive map to fine new locations for trail adventures including the Big Rapids Region you can Explore! | | |
The DNR has this interactive map to find new locations for fishing fun including the Big Rapids Region you can Explore! | | |
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Purchase a Band of Locals Blue Band for just $10.00 and start saving with discounts and specials from local businesses.
Best of all- there is no expiration date on the band! Bands can be purchased at The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium/Kilwins of Big Rapids.
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Every Friday morning at 9:15am, the Band of Locals has a radio segment with Steve from Sunny 97.3 hosted by Band of Locals President, Carlleen Rose.
Different Band of Locals members are featured weekly on air as they tell us what their business is about and more You can tune in on air at 97.3 or via Facebook Live on the Band of Locals page.
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The Mecosta County Visitors Bureau's
E-Newsletter goes out every Tuesday morning. Get in the know! When you sign up for our mailing list, you’ll receive information on all things Mecosta County. Make sure you sign up today so you can get this week's edition!
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Mecosta County Visitors Bureau
127 S. State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307
www.BigRapids.org
officemanager@bigrapids.org
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