Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash.com

April 2023 Events Calendar

Browse by Week

Featured April Events

(Scroll down to see more events in April.)

And check out our story on fun Easter events happening in West Michigan this month!

 

April 1-7, 2023

Now through April 22nd, 2023

AFFEW Native Plant Sale
The 2023 sale will be online only. Garden & Single Species flats plus individual Quart & Gallon plants may be ordered by visiting affew.org

Fridays from February 24th-April 7th, 2023
5-7pm

Lenten Fish Frys in Weare Township
Dine-in or takeout Fish fry’s at St. Joseph Parish Hall- 2349 W. Jackson Rd., Weare Township. Cost is $13 and includes choice of fried or baked fish, vegetable, potatoes, cole slaw, dinner roll, and choice of dessert. For more information, call (231) 873-5776.

Saturday, April 1st, 2023

Opening Day of the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area
Silver Lake State Park.

Saturday, April 1st, 2023
9am-3pm

Craft Supply Sale
Lunch available for purchase. Wagoner Community Center- 260 St. Mary’s Parkway, Manistee.

Saturday, April 1st, 2023
12:30pm

The Met Opera Series
Featuring Falstaff by Verdi. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts– 101 Maple St., Manistee.

Tuesday, April 4th, 2023
7pm

Friends of the Ludington State Park Free Zoom Educational Series
Topic: Invasive Species Management in and around the Ludington State Park with presenters Bri Jasinski of the Mason-Lake Conservation District, Sara Bolan of AFFEW, and Jim Gallie, Ludington State Park Manager. Register at friendsofludingtonstatepark.com to receive Zoom code.

Thursday, April 6th, 2023
4-7pm

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.

Friday, April 7th, 2023
8pm

Performance by Comedian Dave Landau with Special Guest Derek Richards
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.

April 8-14, 2023

Now through April 22nd, 2023

AFFEW Native Plant Sale
The 2023 sale will be online only. Garden & Single Species flats plus individual Quart & Gallon plants may be ordered by visiting affew.org

Monday, April 10th, 2023
6-7pm

Scottville Elementary School Kindergarten Round-Up
Children who will turn 5 on or before September 1st, 2023 are invited. Bring the child’s birth certificate and proof of address to register them. Scottville Elementary School- 201 W. Maple St., Scottville.

LaborFest 2022
Car show, parade, live music by Here Come the Mummies, and food/beverage tent. First Street Beach, Manistee. Visit manisteelaborfest.com for more information.

Friday, April 14th, 2023
7:30pm

Hart Community Performing Arts Series
Featuring Peter & Will Anderson. Hart Middle School Auditorium- 308 Johnson St., Hart.

April 15-21, 2023

Now through April 22nd, 2023

AFFEW Native Plant Sale
The 2023 sale will be online only. Garden & Single Species flats plus individual Quart & Gallon plants may be ordered by visiting affew.org

Friday, April 14th from 4-7pm AND Saturday, April 15th from 10am-5pm

Muskegon Lakeshore Home, Garden, & Boat Show
70+ distributors, outdoor displays, seminars, DIY sessions. For tickets or more information, visit muskegonhgs.org. VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center- 460 W. Western Ave., Downtown Muskegon.

Saturday, April 15th, 2023
11am

Lakeshore Mama & Me Expo
Moms are invited to meet those who can support them during the early stages of parenthood. Talk to providers, sample products, and meet other moms. Open house format with kids activities available. Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Saturday, April 15th, 2023
12pm

The Met Opera Series
Featuring Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts– 101 Maple St., Manistee.

Monday, April 17th, 2023
7:30pm

West Shore Community College Wind Symphony & Drum Line Performance
Manistee High School Auditorium- 525 12th St., Manistee. For tickets, visit westshore.edu.

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023
7:30pm

West Shore Community College Concert Choir Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. For tickets, visit westshore.edu.

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023
7:30pm

Performance by 2B1 World
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.

Thursday, April 20th, 2023
7:30pm

West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble I & II Performance
West Shore Community College Center Stage Theatre- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. For tickets, visit westshore.edu.

Friday, April 21st-Sunday, April 23rd; 2023

Great Lakes Environmental Festival
The mission of this film festival is to encourage people to think about ecology and the present condition of the Great Lakes region. Students will be encouraged to use their 60-second presentation PSA to promote environmental improvement and demonstrate how practical solutions to environmental problems have evolved. Additional events will be scheduled. These, along with event locations, are to be announced. For the most updated information, visit glef.us.

Friday, April 21st, 2023
8pm

Performance by the Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.

Friday, April 21st, 2023
6pm

The Masked (Local) Singer Fundraiser
This fundraiser for Sandcastles Children’s Museum will include local “celebrities” singing while in costume and judges guessing who they are. Attendees will also vote for their favorite contestant. Tickets are $50 each or $200 for a VIP table for two people. All tickets include dinner, dessert, and one voting ticket. A cash bar and complimentary non-alcoholic drink choices will be available. Additional votes are $5 each. VIP seating is for the performance only and includes table service, premium beverage, swag, and a chance to ask a singer a question. For tickets, visit sandcastleschildrensmuseum.com or stop by the museum during open hours. Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

April 22-30, 2023

Now through April 22nd, 2023

AFFEW Native Plant Sale
The 2023 sale will be online only. Garden & Single Species flats plus individual Quart & Gallon plants may be ordered by visiting affew.org

Friday, April 21st-Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

Annual Spring Tree Sale Pickup
Sponsored by the Mason-Lake Conservation District. Pickup hours are Friday from 2pm-6pm and Saturday from 9am-12pm at the Mason County Fairgrounds, Ludington, AND Saturday from 10am-12pm behind Jones’ Ice Cream- 858 Michigan Ave., Baldwin.

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

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.

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
8am

Hart Hills Bike Race
Race starts and finishes in downtown Hart with a 5, 10, 25, and 50 mile option offered. Refreshments will be available at the finish line. Overall and age group winners will be recognized with a unique medal. For more information or to register, visit harthills.com.

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
11am-4pm

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.

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
6pm

MCE Athletic Boosters Auction
$10 per person includes a bidding number, taco bar & dessert, water & coffee. You may also bring your own beverage. Benefits Mason County Eastern Schools Athletics. Sherman Township Town Hall- 3975 S Tyndall Rd., Branch Township.

Suniday, April 23rd, 2023
4pm

Performance by the Earthwork Collective
Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St., Ludington.

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023
7pm

Friends of the Ludington State Park Free Zoom Educational Series
Topic: State of the Ludington State Park with Jim Gallie, Park Manager. Register at friendsofludingtonstatepark.com to receive Zoom code.

Thursday, April 27th, 2023
6pm

Ludington Preschool Round-Up
Families with children who will be 3 or 4 by September 1st, 2023 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.

Friday, April 28th-Saturday, April 29th, 2023

Annual Spring Tree Sale Pickup
Sponsored by the Mason-Lake Conservation District. Pickup hours are Friday from 2pm-6pm and Saturday from 9am-12pm at the Mason County Fairgrounds, Ludington, AND Saturday from 10am-12pm at Wenger Pavilion behind Jones’ Ice Cream- 858 Michigan Ave., Baldwin.

Friday, April 28th, 2023
7-9pm

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Lakeshore Bowl for Kids Sake
Fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sister of the Lakeshore. Dress/Theme is Superhero vs. Villain. Cost is $25/person. Each bowler that raises $75 will receive a t-shirt. For more information or to register, visit bbbslakeshore.org. Northway Lanes & Billiards- 1751 Evanston Ave., Muskegon.

Friday, April 28th, 2023
8pm

Interlochen Center for the Arts Contemporary Dance Performance
City Opera House- 106 E. Front St., Traverse City.

Saturday, April 29th, 8am-12pm

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.

Saturday, April 29th, 2023
1pm

The Met Opera Series
Featuring Champion by Terence Blanchard with Libretto by Michael Cristofer. Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts– 101 Maple St., Manistee.

Saturday, April 29th, 2023
6-9pm

Blast Into Summer Party
Annual benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association presented by the Lakeshore Pyrate Heads. Admission is a cash donation or donation of a non-perishable food or hygiene item. Tropical or pyratical attire is encouraged. 50/50 raffle, live auction, and music by Two Dudes in Flip Flops.  Sportsmans/The Mitten Bar- 109 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.

Saturday, April 29th, 2023
6pm

COVE Birthday Bash- Lake County
This event is a benefit for Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE). Tickets are $30 and include appetizers. COVE staff will talk the history and current services provided by COVE.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a “birthday gift” for COVE in the form of pillows, full sized blankets, large kitchen utensils, silverware sets, laundry soap, toilet paper, mixing bowls, table lamps, new washing machines, or a monetary donation. For tickets or more information, click here. Pompeii’s Pizza- 751 Michigan Ave., Baldwin.

Saturday, April 29th, 2023
6:30pm

Dancing with the Local Stars Fundraiser for the Ludington Robotics Team
Local, celebrity dancers and their partners will be competing against each other for one of three trophies: Judges’ Choice, Most Entertaining, and People’s Choice. The People’s Choice award goes to the couple who receives the most public votes – $1 equals 1 vote. Couples dancing include Dean and Andrea Raven, Dann and Julie VanDyke, Perry and Wendy Merrilat, Jamie Adam and Tom Buchanon, and Chris & Jenna Simpler. Tickets are $75 each and include heavy hors d’oeuvres with a cash bar available. Get tickets at eventbrite.com.

The following events are from 2022. Stay tuned for information on dates for these events in 2023!

 

Lenten Fish Frys in Baldwin
Fish frys at St. Ann’s Senior Center- 690 9th St., Baldwin. Cost is $10 for Adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12, and Kids under 4 are free. Dinners include Cod and Pollock baked or fried, dinner roll with butter, french fries or baked potato, cole slaw, mac and cheese and a dessert. 

Victory Early Childhood Center Great Start Readiness Preschool Program Registration
Families with children who turn 4 on or before September 1st, 2022, are invited to register for the Great Start Readiness Preschool Program at the Mason County Central High School Cafeteria- 300 W. Broadway St., 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 2nd-December 1st, 2022, and those interested in the Center’s tuition-based program, should call Victory Early Childhood Center at (231) 843-2410.

Kindergarten Round-Up at Spitler Elementary School
Families with children turning 5 on or before September 1st, 2022 are invited to register from the 2022-2023 school year. Registration forms will be available at the Spitler Elementary School office or the Central Business Office beginning on Monday, April 4th or register online at hartschools.net/spitler. 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. Contact Principal Andrea Degen at
adegen@hart.k12.mi.us or (231) 873-6340 for more information.

Mason County Eastern Athletic Boosters Auction
Admission is $10 per person or $5 per person who already donated to the auction. Tickets include a taco bar, coffee, and water, and attendees are welcome to BYOB. The event includes a silent auction, live auction, 50/50 drawing, mystery prize (valued at $200), and more. Some auction items of note include a fishing charter, paddle board, handmade wooden American firefighter flag, and several quilts. Sherman Township Hall- 3854 E. Main St., Fountain.

Infant & Maternal Health Fair at Baker College
Experts in child passenger safety, safe sleep, infant health, and pregnancy support will be on hand to help families stay safe and healthy. Those planning to attend should complete the survey attached to the registration link for a chance to win prizes. Register at docs.google.com. Baker College- 1903 Marquette Ave., Muskegon.

Mom 2 Mom Sale 
Sale of gently used children’s clothing, toys, maternity-wear, etc. $1 suggested donation for entry. Faith Covenant Church- 475 8th St., Manistee.

Wellston Boosters Craft Sale/Seniors Bake Sale 
Wellston Community Center- 1273 S. Seaman Rd., Wellston.

Check back often for updates to this calendar of events!

Current Events in West Michigan

Activities & Attractions in West Michigan

Manistee National Forest

Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.

Silver Lake State Park

The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.

Value of Sports Museum

Visit the new Value of Sports Museum located at Historic White Pine Village just a short drive from Ludington.

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.

Manistee’s Riverwalk

The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.