We’ve got a great lineup of things to do this weekend, with events ranging from a tree planting festival to a beer festival, a printmaking fair, and much more.
As always, I’d love to hear your suggestions! If you know of an upcoming event you’d like me to highlight,
please send me a note here (suggestions should be submitted at least one week before the event).
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Immigrant detainees at Baldwin facility launch hunger strike (Michigan Advance): Hundreds of detainees at the North Lake ICE Processing Center in Baldwin have launched a hunger strike, citing poor conditions, inadequate food and medical care, and prolonged detention. Advocates say they will head to Baldwin this week to support the growing protest, while officials have yet to directly address the strike.
SW Michigan residents complain of noise from data center (WNDU): Residents near a Dowagiac data center say constant noise is disrupting their daily lives. They’re now sharing concerns over property values, especially as the company plans to expand.
Northern MI faces increased wildfire risk (MLive): Storm-damaged forests across Northern Michigan are drying out, creating a heightened wildfire risk this spring as millions of acres of downed trees become highly flammable. Officials urge caution, since most wildfires are human-caused during the peak spring burning season.
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Click the map to explore each location. (Google My Maps)
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1. ArborFest 2026
April 24-25
Garfield Park (2111 Madison Ave. SE, Grand Rapids)
“We’re excited to plant trees with you at ArborFest 2026, brought to you in collaboration with the City of Grand Rapids, and Garfield Park Neighborhood Association! ArborFest 2026 is our 11th annual spring planting event! With the support of community volunteers, we’ll plant 250 trees in Garfield Park and Southtown April 24 and 25.”
2. Pulp & Press Lit Arts Fest
April 24-25
100 S. Main St., Vicksburg
“The Pulp & Press Lit Arts Fest is a literary arts festival with the intention of bringing people together for a lively, educational and inspirational celebration of books and literacy. “Lit Arts Fest” describes the intent of the festival: To celebrate the written word and literation in all its artistic forms—written, spoken, illustration, performance, and more!”
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3. 2026 National Trout Festival
April 22-26
Kalkaska
“The National Trout Festival consists of events, activities, and parades that take place mainly at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds and downtown at Railroad Square in the 300 block of Cedar Street. We welcome several community groups as partners that offer a variety of events during the five-day festival.”
4. Reed City Beer Festival
Saturday, April 25, 3-7 p.m.
Rambadt Park (700 N. Park St., Reed City)
“Winter’s finally loosening its grip, the days are getting longer, and Michigan is ready to raise a glass. Join us at the end of April for a lively outdoor festival featuring an outstanding lineup of local and regional breweries, wineries, and cideries—each bringing their best pours to welcome the season.”
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5. Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival
April 23-26
Shepherd
“Our goal has continued to be to offer a weekend that is fun and safe for everyone of all ages, and to raise funds to support the community. Because, from it’s smallest beginnings and up until today, that is what the festival has always been about.”
6. US Figure Skating Nations’ Cup Theatre on Ice
April 23-26
509 Birch Road, East Lansing
“Theatre on Ice Nations’ Cup & Gold Cup is an international skating competition hosted by Ice House Skating Academy at Munn Ice Arena. The event will attract over 1000 skaters from around the world traveling to East Lansing for competition.”
7. Freeland Walleye Festival
April 23-26
Freeland
“What started as a fishing tournament has grown into one of Freeland’s proudest traditions and this year we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Freeland Walleye Festival. That’s four decades of music, laughter, parades, food trucks, carnival rides, great fishing, and stories that seem to get just a little better every time they’re told.”
8. Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival
April 24-26
Vermontville
“The annual Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival is the ‘granddaddy’ of them all! It is the original maple syrup festival in Michigan and came about in 1940, when local syrup producers gathered in a barber shop to discuss a way to sell their product.”
9. Isabella County History Day
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Isabella Commission On Aging (2200 S. Lincoln Road, Mt. Pleasant)
“Celebrate Isabella County’s 167th birthday!”
10. Field Day @ The Shuffle
Saturday, April 25, 2-6 p.m.
Lansing Shuffle (325 Riverfront Drive, Lansing)
“Kick off the season on the riverfront with a full-building experience at Lansing Shuffle. Live music, patio games, drinking competitions, shuffleboard battles, and $3 bites from every vendor—plus interactive moments happening all afternoon.”
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11. St. Clair County Earth Fair
April 24-25
Goodells County Park (8264 County Park Drive, Goodells)
“By blending together demonstrations, workshops, exhibits, artisans, and activities, Earth Fair focuses on raising the level and capacity of environmental stewards to the thousands of visitors who take part in Michigan’s largest Earth Day event.”
12. Peninsular Printmaker Fair
Saturday, April 25, 12-8 p.m.
Urbanrest Brewery (2615 Wolcott St., Ferndale)
“At the Peninsular Printmaker Fair attendees will be able to purchase artist-made original prints and hand-printed textiles, view demonstrations, enjoy Urbanrest’s beverages, and visit food trucks.”
13. Spring Celtic Festival
Sunday, April 26, 12-7:30 p.m.
Historic Masonic Temple (700 N. Madison Ave, Bay City)
“Celebrate Celtic music and art with us at our first ever Beltane celebration! Beltane is the ancient Gaelic celebration of the halfway point between the Spring and Summer Solstice. Celebrate a day of Celtic culture that’s got something for the whole family, including live music and performances, vendors, Irish baked goods, a mini pub, and activities and stories for kids.”
14. Urban Arts Eatery Expo
Sunday, April 26, 2-6 p.m.
The Eastern (3434 Russell St. Suite 501, Detroit)
“We are excited to offer our community a afternoon of vendors, food, drinks, art, great finds and music!! Enjoy Detroit’s hidden gems at your finger tips.”
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