Summer in Mt. Pleasant kicks off with community, culture, and celebratory events

Mt. Pleasant is bursting into life with a vibrant lineup of June 2025 events that capture the essence of summer. Island Park becomes the heart of the season’s festivities with the return of the farmers’ market and a summer concert series. Not to be outdone, the downtown area will come alive with events like a classic car show and the 11th Annual Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival. While outdoor workshops such as lavender tasting and garden pole painting offer calming creative outlets, a gourmet seafood boil delivers a taste of coastal fare. Rounding out the month with heart, there are events to celebrate summer reading as well as fundraisers to bring the community together for meaningful, fun-filled gatherings. 

With a calendar packed with music, hands-on fun, and heartfelt causes, Mt. Pleasant invites you to embrace summer at its fullest—one celebration at a time.

Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market
Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Thursday’s market has already begun, while the Saturday market will follow beginning June 21st at Town Center (at the corner of Broadway and Main). For more than 50 years, the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market has offered fresh in-season fruits and vegetables, and an opportunity to gather as a community while supporting area farmers and healthy living habits. The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market strives to make healthy, locally grown food an affordable option for all incomes. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can now use their Michigan Bridge Card at the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market. The market also accepts Double Up Food Bucks, Michigan WIC Produce Connection, and Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH coupons. Learn more at mt-pleasant.org.

Courtesy Mid Michigan Industries

Music in the Park 2025 with MMI
Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. from June 5 to July 31 at Island Park
MMI's annual "Music in the Park" Summer Concert Series returns this summer to offer free music at Island Park's Amphitheatre. For more information on lineups and sponsors, visit their Facebook page.

Courtesy Art Reach of Mid Michigan

Garden Peace Pole Workshop
Saturday, June 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan
Peace Poles (or garden posts) are an artful way to embellish a natural space with vivid color and charm. Instructor and gardener Kim Bigard will lead participants in decorating treated posts with an assortment of stencils and inspirational images. Exterior grade paints will be utilized to create a durable finish, and all posts will be drilled, prepped with rebar for staking, and topped with a decorative post cap. All ages are welcome and all supplies are provided. For tickets, visit artreachcenter.org.

Courtesy Mt. Pleasant Jaycees

11th Annual Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival 
Saturday, June 7 from 4 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Mt. Pleasant
The Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Jaycees to bring together community members and visitors for craft beer, food, and live music. Open to adults age 21 and older (ID required), revelers will have the opportunity to sample some of the finest beer, cider and seltzers crafted in Michigan. This festival makes it possible for the Mt. Pleasant Jaycees to grant funds to various charitable organizations in the local community. Since its inception in 2014, the Jaycees have donated over $275,000 in proceeds. Each ticket includes admission, a commemorative tasting glass, and 10 drink tickets. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit mpbeerfest.com.
 
Foam Party in the Park: Summer Reading Club Kickoff
Monday, June 9 at 5 p.m. in Island Park
Join the Chippewa River District Library for a family-friendly foam dance party in the park. A special foam cannon will blast non-toxic, non-staining, skin-safe foam. Highlights of the event include fun activities, a hot dog dinner for all, as well as books and book bags for children up to age 17 (while supplies last). No registration is required. If inclement weather occurs, the program will be moved to the Veterans Memorial Library. Learn more at facebook.com.

Courtesy Back to the Bricks Car Show
Back to the Bricks Car Show
Tuesday, June 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Downtown Mt. Pleasant
Locals are invited to an evening of fun at the 15th Annual Back to the Bricks Promo Tour. With Mt. Pleasant as the final stop, this event will boast more than 250 classic cars, live music, food trucks, and activities and specials at downtown businesses. More info at backtothebricks.org.

Health Expo at the Farmers’ Market
Thursday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Island Park
Community members can visit the farmers' market on Thursday, June 12 for a “Health is Wealth” Expo. The expo will feature booths from area providers with information about health-related topics including dental care, fitness, nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being. Those who speak to all of the providers can be entered into a raffle drawing for prizes. Local health providers, fitness instructors, or wellness-centered business that are interested in participating in this year’s expo can contact Karissa at kfay@mt-pleasant.org.

CMU Alumni Night at Dow Diamond
Thursday, June 12 gates open at 6 p.m. for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch
Join Central Michigan University Alumni for a night of baseball at Midland’s Dow Diamond. Discounted tickets via CMU Alumni Relations include access to porch-style seating at Northern Lights Pavilion and a buffet meal voucher. CMU Athletics staff—including Coach Sabol—will be in attendance for an on-field check presentation for a grant being awarded to CMU Baseball from the Michigan Baseball Foundation. Learn more at cmich.edu.

Courtesy The Morey Foundation

Battle of Local Vocals - Registration Open
Registration by June 13 
Registration is now open for the 2025 "Battle of Local Vocals." This is a free, family-friendly singing competition where performers will sing for a chance to win up to $5,000. Attendance at the event is free, but performers must register to participate in the competition. Registration is limited to the first 75 registrants and closes June 13. Preliminary auditions will be conducted through video submission, then ten acts will be selected to compete in the main event on Wednesday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. Full contest rules and requirements can be found at themoreyfoundation.org.

Courtesy Isabella County Child Advocacy Center

Zoo in the Park 2025
Friday, June 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Island Park
A family-friendly day of fun will be hosted by Isabella County Child Advocacy Center. This outdoor event is free and will feature a petting zoo, pony rides, food, giveaways, raffles, and more. 

2025 Annual Plant Swap 
Saturday, June 14 from 12 to 5 p.m. at Green Tree Co-op Market
Plant lovers are invited to bring their extra starters, houseplants, bulbs, seeds, and saplings to trade and go home with something new. Those who don’t have plants can still attend and find something green to liven up their home, yard, or garden. Those who only wish to drop off plants may email Laura at laura@greentree.coop to schedule a time to drop off plants the evening before or morning of the event.



Dad Fest 2025
Saturday, June 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Island Park
Local businesses and community members are invited the night before Father's Day for a free, dad-centric evening with live music, food trucks, a bacon tent, inflatables, and raffles. This is a family-friendly event where all ages and participants are welcome, though there will be a few special amenities for dads only.

Courtesy Kiwanis Club

Strawberry Jamboree at the Farmers’ Market
Thursday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market in Island Park
Join the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Pleasant for their second annual Strawberry Jamboree fundraiser. There will be kids’ games, activities, strawberry shortcakes for purchase, and live music, along with all of the market vendors. Shortcakes can be purchased for $6. There are a limited quantity of tickets available for purchase, so participants are encouraged to come early to get in on the fun.

Seafood Boil in the Garden 
Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m. at Camille’s Prime
Camille’s Prime is thrilled to host their 2nd annual Seafood Boil. Partakers will enjoy a fresh seafood boil cooked in Camille’s Cowboy Cauldrons and served family style in the garden behind the restaurant. Seating is extremely limited and tickets are $70 per person which includes crab, shrimp, crawfish, andouille sausage, potatoes, corn, and salad. This is a public event with limited tickets available. In the event of inclement weather, dinner will be served under their large tent. Tickets may be purchased at exploretock.com.

Courtesy Chippewa River District Library

3rd Annual Longest Day Reading Challenge
Friday, June 20 from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Library
On the longest day of the year, literature-lovers are invited to the 3rd annual Longest Day Reading Challenge at Veterans Memorial Library. The library will host a public "read-in" in their outdoor courtyard where participants may drop in during daylight hours and silently read their choice of book for at least ten minutes or more. Families with children are encouraged to read aloud together. Readers may arrive and depart anytime between sunrise at 5:58 a.m. and sunset at 9:24 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a chair or a blanket, get comfortable, and get to reading. All participants will receive a commemorative decal, bookmark, and a voucher for a free book at a future Friends of the Veterans Memorial Library book sale. In addition, there will be refreshments and a drawing for prizes while supplies last. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to the VML Annex Meeting Room.

Courtesy Humane Animal Treatment Society

Tails & Trails: Crowdfunding Campaign and Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Town Center (near the new downtown restrooms)
Join the Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS) for their inaugural annual event, Tails and Trails. This event is a unique combination of crowdfunding and a scavenger hunt in downtown Mt. Pleasant where individuals and teams will race against the clock to compete and hunt for clues. All ages are welcome to participate, with prizes awarded to the top 3 teams. This HATS event aims to build community while also supporting their mission to provide care and shelter for animals in need. Teams/individuals must sign up and create fundraising pages with a prepared link sent upon registration, then have 30 days to fundraise before the event. Prizes will be awarded for the top-earning team and individuals. Scavenger Hunt check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. and the race begins at 1:15 p.m. All necessary info can be found on the HATS Facebook event page and participants may register for the event at interland3.donorperfect.net.

Courtesy Four Suns Farm

The Art of Lavender Pairing: A Taste Exploration
Saturday, June 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Four Suns Farm
Lavender lovers are invited to join Four Suns Farm owners, Tom and Stephanie Olver, for an immersive tasting experience exploring the unique flavor pairings of lavender. This guided workshop will introduce participants to the versatility of lavender in culinary applications, featuring hands-on tasting stations and group discussions. The evening festivities will feature lavender-inspired bites, creative mocktails (or a favorite drink from home), culinary gift bag favors, and a lot of inspiration. To register, visit foursunsfarmlavender.com/workshops.

Courtesy Special Olympics Michigan
Summer Fest for Special Olympics
Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m. behind Mountain Town Station
Camille's Prime and Mountain Town Station are thrilled to partner with Special Olympics Michigan for their “Summer Fest for Special Olympics” fundraiser. The event will take place behind Mountain Town Station under a large event tent, near their gardens. This event is appropriate for all ages, with buffet-style food, live music, yard games, and drinks available. Fare will include pulled pork sandwiches, mac & cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and fresh melon platters. Their goal is to raise funds and awareness, with 50% of ticket sales going directly to Special Olympics Michigan. More info can be found and tickets can be purchased at exploretock.com.