Looking for something to do this spring? Check out these local events
If you like your chili hot and your music hotter, then the inaugural Cereal City Lions Club Chili Cook-Off Community Fundraiser might be for you.
That upcoming event is just one of the many things on the calendar to entertain Battle Creek-area residents this spring.
The Battle Creek Cereal City Lions Club, in partnership with the Riverside Golf Club & Banquet Center, has announced its Chili Cook-Off Community Fundraiser, scheduled for May 6.
Nine local 'chili masters' will battle and put their best recipes on the line, chasing the honors in three categories: Peoples' Choice Award, Judges' Choice and Best Booth Decoration. Scheduled to compete, include Catering for All Occasions, Finley's Grill, Haven's Kitchen, Holy Smoke BBQ, Island Style BBQ, Riverside Golf Club, Sally's Kitchen, Southside Grubz and Sunrise Cafe.
A golf tournament — 2-man scramble — is also associated with this event as well as live music. Golf begins at 8 a.m., with the chili cook-off from noon to 4 p.m. and the concert from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Proceeds from the event will support Cereal City Lions Club projects.
Binder Park Zoo Opens
Binder Park Zoo is prepared to welcome guests back for the 2023 season beginning May 1. General Admission tickets can be purchased at the front gate or online.
Battle Creek Beer Week
Battle Creek Beer Week is taking place May 15-20 with events being held throughout Battle Creek at participating breweries, ending the week with the Calhoun County BrewBus brewery tour. Included in the festivities is Territorial Brewing Company Trivia Night on Tuesday, May 16. Also, Handmap Brewing live music on Thursday, May 18-19. And, featuring Albion Malleable 5th Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 20.
Reuben Race
Scheduled for April 22, the annual Reuben Race will take over the streets of Marshall with a 10K run, 5K run and a mile fun run. In association with Pastrami Joe's Deli, it is the ninth time the race will be run with proceeds from the race going to the Marshall Fountain Clinic to help with dental and health care assistance for residents in Calhoun County that cannot afford it on their own. The race begins and ends in front of the Marshall Fountain Clinic. For more information or to sign up go to www.runsignup.com/reubenrace
Cereal City Music
Under the direction of Dr. Stephen White and Amanda Burdette, the Cereal City Concert Band will be performing its Spring Concert, 'Fantastical Features: Music of Stage, Screen, and Imagination', on Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at the Pennfield Performing Arts Center.
Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and veterans.
More Music
The Battle Creek Symphony presents A Gilmore Concert Bonus to close out its 2022-223 symphony season at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium on May 6. Emerging virtuoso and 2022 Gilmore Young Artist Janice Carissa joins the orchestra for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17. Visit https://yourmusiccenter.org/a-gilmore-concert-bonus/ or call 269-963-1911 ext 2586 for more information and to purchase tickets.
Cruising
The Gilmore Car Museum Wednesday Night Cruise-Ins begins officially on May 3. It is free to bring your collector car on the grounds during Cruise-In and the event is open to the public. On good weather nights, the funstarts at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m., with both George & Sally’s authentic 1941 Blue Moon Diner and The Grill serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and creamy old-fashioned custard throughout the evening. The Gilmore Car Museum is located at 6865 West Hickory Road in Hickory Corners.
Renaissance Festival
Cornwell's Turkeyville USA will be hosting a Renaissance Festival on May 13 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Take a step back in time and join the renaissance era. Feel free to dress up or come as you are. This will be an outside event. Food, live music, activities, and booths for shopping will be available outside. Cost is free.
Baseball
The Battle Creek Battle Jacks, the local Northwoods League Summer Collegiate baseball franchise, will open the season on May 29 vs. the Kokomo Jackrabbits at MCCU Field in Battle Creek with game time at 6:35 p.m. For more information or to get tickets, visit the box office or go to www.northwoodsleague.com/battle-crdeek-battle-jacks.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Looking for something to do this spring? Check out these local events
