Since 1854 — News from Montcalm County and Ionia County, Michigan

By Elisabeth Waldon | on May 28, 2022

Multiple communities are hosting Memorial Day weekend events in Ionia and Montcalm counties. Here’s a look at some of the scheduled events.

A Memorial Day 5K Walk/Run will begin at 8 a.m. today (Saturday) at the park/depot, followed by the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle unveiling of a new pavilion and prisoner of war/missing in action honor chair and blessing of the bikes at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

A Memorial Day presentation will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial park with the American Legion and VFW.

American Legion Post 380 will host a Memorial Day service at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Carson City Cemetery.

Post Commander Todd LaVictor will present welcoming remarks, followed by an invocation by Epic Church of Carson City Pastor James “Wojo” Wojtowicz. David Helman, a member of the Sons of the American Legion, will act as master of ceremonies.

The Carson City-Crystal High School band, under the direction of Chad Parmenter, will provide special music selections.

Carson City Mayor Thomas McCrackin will give a welcome, followed by a special address from Montcalm County Commissioner Michael Beach of Carson City.

Jack Sorrell will give a special message from the American Legion and the Post Women’s Auxiliary will then present the memorial wreath. The Post Color Guard will then give a rifle salute to the deceased.

The Sons of the American Legion will do the full staffing of the flag and will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The ceremony will then conclude with a benediction given by Wojtowicz.

The Post Color Guard will also host ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Crystal Community Center in Crystal Township.

A Memorial Day lunch will be served at the American Legion Post in Carson City at 11:45 a.m. Monday.

A variety of Memorial Day-related events will take place throughout this weekend in the village of Hubbardston.

Today (Saturday), kids crafts will be offered starting at noon at Mill Pond Park, while a kids scavenger hunt will begin at 3 p.m. An adult scavenger hunt will begin at 5 p.m. at Shiels Tavern. A beer tent will be featured at Shiels starting at 8 p.m. featuring comedian Marc Rubben.

On Sunday, outdoor Mass will take place at 9 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, followed by a cemetery dedication at 11 a.m. An American Legion dedication will take place at 3 p.m. The beer tent will return at Shiels starting at 8 a.m. featuring karaoke.

Monday will get underway with a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. starting at the Hubbardston Community Center. A cemetery dedication will take place at noon at North Plains Cemetery, followed by a bridge dedication at 12:15 p.m. The Hubbardston Irish Dancers will perform at 1 p.m.

The annual Memorial Day parade will start at 1:30 p.m. with parade line-up at 12:30 p.m. at the Community Center. For more information about the parade, contact Kelly Melton at (989) 763-7666.

Following the parade, free kids games will be offered at Mill Pond Park. The Hubbardston museum will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. inside the Community Center. Karaoke will take place on the main stage at 2 p.m., while the duck drawing will take place at the main stage at 3 p.m.

A Memorial Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday through downtown Ionia. Bicyclists of all ages are invited to show up at the Zion Methodist Church parking lot before 9:15 a.m. for help decorating their bikes for the parade.

Pastor Al Sharp will lead an invocation at the Ionia County Courthouse immediately following the parade. A classic car and bike show will be on display at the courthouse following the parade as well.

The Ionia Theatre will offer a free showing of the classic prisoner of war movie “The Great Escape” starring Steve McQueen at noon.

Lakeview’s VFW Post 3701 will hold a Memorial Day service at Cato Township Cemetery at 9 a.m. Monday, followed by a service at the Lakeview Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.

A Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. starting at the Lakeview Cemetery, going down Main Street and ending at the new VFW building at 506 S. Lincoln Ave. where a soft opening will take place. A cornhole tournament will be from noon to 4 p.m., along with food trucks and a raffle.

Native Amusement carnival rides will be offered all weekend in Sheridan.

A craft show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Saturday) at the VFW with 55 vendors attending. A car and tractor show will be from 1 to 5 p.m. (with registration at noon at the corner of M-66 and Egan Street). Bike Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Lake Street (between Simpson Family Funeral Home and the VFW). Prizes for furthest ridden to the show and oldest motorcycle.

A beer tent will be featured from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday behind the VFW with live music from 7 to 11 p.m. by the band Lefty Loosey.

Sunday will begin with a VFW breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

The third annual Brady Sexton Endowment Cornhole Tournament will begin with registration at noon Sunday at the Little League Field behind the Sheridan Community Center. Cost is $20 per person or $40 per team. First toss at 1 p.m. Proceeds will go toward local K-12 sports.

The annual Firefighters Parade will begin around 8:30 p.m. Sunday (with line-up at 7:30 p.m. on Mill Street south of the funeral home), followed by a fireworks show around 10 p.m. Sunday from Pearl Lake Park.

Monday will begin with a bake sale at the VFW starting at 10 a.m. Stanton Dance will perform at 10:40 a.m. on Main Street.

The Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. with line-up at 10 a.m. at the corner of M-66 and Egan Street in front of Pit Stop Tire. The parade will be followed by a Memorial Day service at noon performed by the VFW at the park next to the VFW Hall.

The VFW will offer a hot beef dinner at 11 a.m., followed by raffles at 1 p.m.

A Memorial Day service will be 2 p.m. Monday at North Sidney Church, 1990 Grow Road. Pastor Luke Dudenhofer from New Life Church in Chicago will deliver the message. Music will be by Mark Edwards. Refreshments will follow the service. All are welcome.

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