
Performances in West Michigan
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Photo by JP Valeri on Unsplash.com
Annually held the third Saturday in August from 9am-1pm, in cooperation with the Michigan Water Stewardship Clean Sweep Program, this service is available to residents of Mason County only. It is made possible by contributions the Mason-Lake Conservation District, the Household Hazardous Waste Committee, contributions from local county government entitles including townships, villages, and cities within the county; and personal donations.
Participation is free, but a suggested minimum donation of $15 is greatly appreciated. Please drop off hazardous waste at collection sites only during scheduled hours! We have no means of disposal at any other time. In Mason County there will be two lines–one for general hazardous waste and a separate line for electronics. If you have both, you will have to go through both lines.
If hazardous wastes are disposed of incorrectly, they can cause environmental damage by contaminating ground and surface waters, threatening human health and wildlife. Disposing of these products in storm drains allows these materials to enter surface waters untreated. Pouring on the ground leads to potential groundwater (drinking water) contamination. These wastes should not be thrown in the trash; liquid wastes are not allowed in Michigan landfills. The dangers of such disposal methods may not be immediately obvious, but certain types of household hazardous waste have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers; contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains and toilets; and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Please use a product completely, give the remainder to neighbors, or take it to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site during collection hours. Empty containers can be disposed of in normal household trash.
Watch for the following signal words:
Who can use the program?
Any Mason County homeowners may use this services and businesses that utilizes pesticides are also eligible. All Conservation District programs and services are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or disability.
What can I bring and how much?
Old unwanted, out of date or unusable pesticides can be dropped off for safe disposal.
Pre-registration is required for amounts over 200 poiunds. Call the Mason-Lake Conservation District office to register: (231) 757-3707 ext. 5.
What’s the catch?
There is no catch. Clean Sweep is a good deal for you. There is no red tape and all information is kept strictly confidential.
Note to Agricultural Producers:
Empty out those old pesticides and fertilizers that you won’t be using. This is a good time to dispose of these products, participation is free.
Tips for safe transport of hazardous materials:
Oceana County
Hart Dept. Public Works
1010 State St.
Hart, MI 49420
Mason County
Mason County Road Commission
510 E. State St. (US-10)
Scottville, MI 49454
Manistee County
Manistee Road Commission
8946 Chippewa Highway
Bear Lake, MI 49614
If you would like to volunteer to help at the collection, please call one of our offices, we may have a job for you!
Not to worry! There are organizations that take some items throughout the year. They include:
Oceana Conservation District
1064 Industrial Park Drive
Shelby, MI 49455
(231) 861-4967, oceanaconservationdistrict.org
Mason-Lake Conservation District
655 N. Scottville Rd.
Scottville, MI 49454
(231) 757-3708 ext 3, mason-lakeconservation.org
Manistee Conservation District
8840 Chippewa Highway
Bear Lake, MI 49614
(231) 889-4761, manisteecd.org

The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.

Find all the places where the kids can visit and have pictures taken with Santa in Ludington, Scottville, Manistee, Oceana County, and more.

The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.

West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.

Farm Markets & U-Pick farms offer locally grown and organic produce, flowers, plants, seeds, and more in West Michigan.

Downtown Traverse City bustles with party goers for the annual CherryT Ball Drop held on New Year’s Eve drawing between 8,000-12,000 people.

Downtown Ludington hosts an annual lighted ball drop on New Year’s Eve along with live music, beer tent, and fireworks.

Pentwater’s Christmas in the Village, held throughout the month of December, has carriage rides, shopping, craft fair, and more.

Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars during the fall/winter in West Michigan have handcrafted and specialty items for your Christmas gift giving.

Come see thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights set up in nearly 50 holiday displays at Hopkins Park in Bear Lake.

The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.

Pere Marquette River, with it’s moderately fast current and clear water, is an extremely popular river for canoeists and kayakers.

Dune Rides in your ATV or ORV are popular at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan, but many rules and regulations apply.

Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.

The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.

Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.