August in Isabella and Gratiot counties is loaded with fun activities and events for all. Beat the heat with a workshop or book club, share some laughs at a comedy performance (or two!), and enjoy the company of others indoors and out at events like the Max & Emily's Summer Concert Series, the Back to School Bash Foam Party, and this year’s Market for the Arts. Get out, get connected, and enjoy the last full month of summer in the surrounding Mt. Pleasant area.
Addison Agen Concert
Friday, August 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan
Art Reach of Mid Michigan will host singer-songwriter
Addison Agen in the Morey Family Gallery. Agen was the first runner up in season 13 of “The Voice” and is based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Art Reach executive director, Amy Powell, states, "This is an amazing opportunity for our local community to see such a strong vocalist. Addison not only speaks through her songs, but the vision and the story behind her music is equally as moving!" Opening for Agen is Magdalena Fanning, a local songwriter who hopes to pursue a performance-based career after graduation. Tickets are limited to this intimate performance, and can be found
here.
Artists Battle 2025
Saturday, August 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan
Local artists are invited to compete in a juried contest with cash prizes. Artists will have two hours to complete a work of art from start to finish. The contest is open to all ages and media, with one winner selected from each category. Contestants will be divided into three categories: youth (12 and under), teen (ages 13 to 19), and adults (age 20 and up). The artists must provide all supplies and are expected to bring their own table, chair, or tent, if desired. If electricity is required, arrangements should be made by the artist ahead of time. Registration is $20 for adults and teens, and $10 for youth. Register
here.
Feel Better, Live Better, Do Better Workshop
Tuesday, August 5 at 6 p.m. at 503 E. Broadway St. in Mt. Pleasant
The Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education will host a workshop to discuss the science of nutrigenomics and how the right genetic switches can help our bodies heal and thrive. Participants are encouraged to bring friends along for samples, prizes, and mingling with natural health-minded individuals. Learn more or register by sending a message to their
Facebook page.
Book Club: “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins
Wednesday, August 6 at 8:15 a.m. at Saravilla Bed and Breakfast of Alma
The Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce will host this month’s book club to discuss Mel Robbin's latest book, “
The Let Them Theory,” over coffee and muffins. More info
here.
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Courtesy Terry Kunst
Freedom Ride Ceremony Guest Speaker
Saturday, August 9 at 1 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Island Park Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Army Veteran and community activist Major Jonathan Turnbull was tragically injured in an ISIS suicide bombing attack while serving in Syria, and was given no chance of surviving. The people and events leading up to and following his recovery inspired Turnbull to author a book entitled, “Zero Percent Chance.” Turnbull will speak about his experiences as well as his current life and aspirations at the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in Island Park. This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs.
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Courtesy the City of Mt. Pleasant
Coneys for a Cause and “Pixie Pig Out” Coney-Eating Contest
Monday through Friday, August 11 to 15 at The Pixie Restaurant
For one week this August, community members can enjoy $1.99 coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County during “Coneys for a Cause.” The Pixie will donate 100% of coney sale profits during this time to the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit. Customers can purchase individual coney dogs in person, or they can pre-order a minimum of one dozen coney dogs to be delivered. Order forms can be found at
www.mt-pleasant.org/ysu. All are invited to attend the “Pixie Pig Out” event at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 15 to watch a friendly coney-eating competition between local law enforcement agencies.
Women in Business: Burnout, Breakthrough, and Building Better Work
Wednesday, August 13 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Mid Michigan College’s Mt. Pleasant campus
Dr. Liz Boyd and Kate Bracken of
Ambridge Workforce Solutions will host a 60-minute presentation exploring the personal and professional journey of two women who deviated from traditional career paths to build a business centered on sustainable, human-centered work. For tickets, visit
here.
Family Foam Party at Beat the Heat: Back to School Bash
Wednesday, August 13 at 6 p.m. at Island Park
Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation and the Chippewa River District Library will celebrate their final summer Beat the Heat event—
the Back to School Bash—with a family-friendly foam dance party. The event starts at 6 p.m. at Island Park in Mt. Pleasant. All foam used is non-toxic, non-staining, and skin-safe. This event is free and open to the public.
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Battle of Local Vocals Contest
Wednesday, August 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Island Park Pavilion
Ten local contestants will sing their hearts out for a chance at $5,000 in
Morey Foundation’s fifth annual Battle of Local Vocals. This event is family-friendly and open to the public, and attendees are reminded to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Max & Emily’s Summer Concert Series
Thursday, August 14 and Saturday, August 23 at 6 p.m. in downtown Mt. Pleasant
Max & Emily’s plans to close out the season with their annual Summer Concert Series. Two major shows are planned for August, featuring strong ties to Mt. Pleasant and Central Michigan University. Shows begin at 6 p.m. with a local opener, followed by the headliner at 7 p.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and blankets. This event is free and open to the public, with grilled food outside and a full regular menu inside Max & Emily’s available for purchase.
August 14:
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers
August 23:
Jeff Daniels
Mid’s Sweat Shaker Mountain Bike Race 2025
Saturday, August 16 at 8 a.m. in Harrison
The Sweat Shaker Mountain Bike Race returns to Mid Michigan College this month. Held on the Harrison Campus trail system, the Sweat Shaker features divisions for every ability level. Proceeds from race entry fees benefit the maintenance and improvement of Mid’s recreational facilities and mountain bike trails. Learn more and register
here.
Corn Fest Comedy Night
Thursday, August 21 at 6 p.m. in the garden behind Mountain Town and Camille’s Prime
Laughter-seekers are invited for an adults-only Corn Fest dinner and comedy show in the garden, hosted by Jim Carney. On the menu is all-you-can-eat grilled sweet corn with multiple butter choices, grilled cheeseburgers with all the toppings, pasta salad, watermelon, and strawberry shortcake, along with an outdoor bar. Due to the nature of the comedians, children are not allowed at this event. Learn more and get tickets
here.
8th Annual Market for the Arts
Friday, August 22 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Saturday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Sunday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 8th Annual Market for the Arts will take place outdoors in downtown Mt. Pleasant. The market will span three blocks, with vendors, live music, and food trucks all throughout the weekend. On Friday night there will be a silent disco, on Saturday there will be a kids market and a ticketed comedy show with comedian
Mike Ball, then on Sunday there will be yoga and a jigsaw puzzle competition. In addition to the main events, participants will find handmade art, music, food, face painting, tie-dye workshops, belly dancing, henna body art, and more. This event is free and open to all, but tickets must be purchased for the comedy show. Both vendors and volunteers are still needed. Learn more, sign up to volunteer, and find comedy show tickets
here.
The Great Pages Circus
Monday and Tuesday August 25 and 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Isabella County Fairgrounds
The Great Pages Circus will be in town this month with family-friendly fun for all. The show features aerial acts, clowns, and jugglers, as well as ponies, horses, and camels, along with their Pages Globe of Death high-speed motorcycle act. Adult tickets are $20, while children twelve and under get in free (up to two free children may enter for each paying adult), while additional children are $5 each. Find tickets at
pagescircus.com.