Schedule of Events

Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022

RED FLANNEL 5K RUN AND WALK & KID’S FUN RUN, RED FLANNEL 10K RUN

5K WALK/RUN starts at 9 am – KID’S FUN RUN starts at 9:45 am

This is a FUN EVENT for the ENTIRE FAMILY as runners and walkers. Awards and Kid’s Fun Run to follow 5K. Best dressed Red Flannel Competition!

HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS PARK – 69 W MAPLE ST

KIDS DAY

Bring the kids down for a day filled with Fun events, Magic Show, Games, and Prizes. Starts at 11:00am at the Heart of Cedar Springs Park. Free entry, $1.00 raffle tickets. Raffle time 12:30pm.

HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS PARK – 69 W MAPLE ST

BED RACE OBSTACLE COURSE

In one of the zaniest events the Festival offers, five-person teams race beds around an obstacle course competing for the best time! Throw in Festival icon, Keystone Kops, and the result is a hilarious time for all! Bring your own bed, or use one from the Festival! Check in begins at 12:30 pm; Race begins at 1:00 pm. FREE EVENT! 

MAPLE STREET NEAR HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS PARK

RED FLANNEL QUEEN SCHOLARSHIPPAGEANT

Enjoy the elegance and tradition of a signature event. Tickets on sale, 3 weeks prior, at the Library & Red Flannel Festival Office, $10 each. Available at the High School Box Office for $13 at 6pm. Doors open at 7 pm. Pageant begins at 7:30 pm.  

CEDAR SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

RED FLANNEL LUMBERJACK SUPPER

Come and enjoy a food old-fashioned Lumberjack Supper with all the fix-ins! Pulled Pork, Potatoes, Vegetables, Beverages and Dessert. Adults: $12.00; kids 12 and under $10.00; 5pm – 7pm 

CEDAR SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022

POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL

NEW DATE AND TIME – SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

Junior and Senior young ladies play flag football! Begins at 6:00 pm. RED HAWK STADIUM

Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

CARNIVAL

Quality carnival rides, games with Elliott’s Amusements! 5 pm – 9 pm

ASH & BEECH STREETS

CEDAR SPRINGS FRIENDS BOOK SALE

Giant Book Sale at the Cedar Springs Public Library 10:00am – 6:00 pm

CEDAR SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY – 107 N. MAIN STREET

RED HAWK VARSITY FOOTBALL

Cedar Springs Red Hawks vs. Allendale High School at 7 pm.

GAME IS AT REDHAWK STADIUM

FIREFIGHTER PARADE

Join us in honoring local fire department members! Begins after the Cedar Springs Home Football game.

MAIN STREET

RED FLANNEL GRAND LODGE

7 pm to 12:30 am. $5 Cover. Must be 21 or over. The BEST LIVE MUSIC in Cedar Springs! Enjoy the band PRETTY KOOL from 8 pm -midnight!

RED FLANNEL GRAND LODGE TENT; HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS PARK

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 – RED FLANNEL DAY

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Prior to the Band Competition. Presented by the American Legion Glen Hill Post #287, Cedar Springs Middle School Marching Band.                                             

RED HAWK STADIUM, CEDAR SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

FLAPJACK BREAKFAST

All you can eat breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice, served from 7 am – noon. $10 – 13 and over; $8 – ages 5-12 and FREE for those under 5 years old and Special family price of $30. 

RED HAWK ELEMENTARY CAFETERIA

MARCHING BAND COMPETITION

Area High School Marching Bands present half-time shows in competition. Begins 9 am. See ad on pg 10.

RED HAWK STADIUM, CEDAR SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

CARNIVAL BINGO

American Legion Post #287 Bingo Hall 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Going for over 30 years. 

AMERICAN LEGION POST #287 BINGO HALL

CEDAR SPRINGS FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE

Giant Book Sale at the Cedar Springs Public Library 10 am – 3 pm

CEDAR SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY – 107 N. MAIN STREET

RED FLANNEL PIE EATING CONTEST

BACK AGAIN. Starts at NOON! First one to finish eating the whole pie WINS! Prizes award for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Cost is FREE. Come on down and watch or join in this New RED FLANNEL TRADITION!

MAIN AND ASH IN FRONT OF THE GRANDSTAND

RED FLANNEL CAR SHOW

Come to enter your pride and joy, or just browse and admire! Admission is FREE. Cost $15 per entry, registration at 7:30 am. Show is from 10 am – 2 pm. Winners receive FREE Grand Parade entry!

ELM STREET BETWEEN MAIN AND SECOND AND MAIN AND FIRST

POORMAN PULLERS MINI ROD TRACTOR PULL NEW LOCATION

Weigh in begins at 10 am, pulling from 11 am – 2 pm. FREE Admission 

141 W. CHERRY BY THE WHITE PINE TRAIL

RED FLANNEL ANTIQUE FARM TRACTORS & ENGINES SHOW – AT CEDAR SPRINGS MUSEUM!

Antique tractors and running farm equipment fill Morley Park! Museum tours from 10 am to 2 pm. FREE admission to tractor show and family events.

MORLEY PARK

RED FLANNEL MARKETPLACE

Vendors of many different item types displayed all day! Browse and shop in beautiful downtown Cedar Springs!

CHURCH STREET BETWEEN MAIN AND SECOND

CARNIVAL

Quality carnival rides, games with Elliott’s Amusements. All day! WRIST BANDS (SATURDAY ONLY) Cost: $25.00 per person                    

ASH & BEECH STREETS

GIANT ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR

Over 90 vendors of beautiful handmade items. 9 am – 2 pm. $1 admission

RED HAWK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CEDAR SPRINGS ROTARY FAMOUS CHICKEN BARBECUE!

Come and experience an EXCELLENT chicken dinner with all the trimmings at the Rotary Chicken barbecue from 11 am – 5 pm!

CHERRY & MAIN STREET

LUMBERJACK SHOW

By Jack Pine Lumberjack Show – Mackinaw City, Michigan. Show times at 11 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm

THE EMPTY LOT ON THE CORNER OF MAIN AND ASH NEXT TO THE TRIPLE B

RED FLANNEL CHILDREN’S PARADE

The Children’s Parade will line up with the Grand Parade! The Prince and Princess will have their own float. Bike riders and walkers will walk with the Prince and Princess Float. Please have your child and their bikes in the parade line up by 2:45 pm!

LINE UP AT MUSKEGON & MAIN STREETS

KEYSTONE KOPS

The MOST FAMOUS ICON of the Festival, they arrest everyone not wearing RED!Be on the look out and prepared with $1 in “bail money” to “get out of jail”!

KEYSTONE KOP JAIL at MAIN & ASH STREETS

RED FLANNEL GRAND PARADE

The Festival’s signature event! Headlining for 2022 ‘THE SCOTTVILLE CLOWN BAND’! More than 100 entries of floats, bands and entertainment. PARADE BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 3 PM!

MAIN & MUSKEGON STREETS

RED FLANNEL PARADE GRANDSTAND

Stop by and see Ryan Melanaphy, who is announcing the parade for the 1st time!

CEDAR SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

RED FLANNEL TALENT SHOW

The Red Flannel Talent Show is a mix of musicians, singers, dancers, and other local entertainment. The show starts immediately after the Grand Parade. Tickets $3 ea.

HISTORIC KENT THEATRE-DOWNTOWN CEDAR SPRINGS

RED FLANNEL GRAND LODGE

7 pm to 12:30 am. $5 Cover. Must be 21 or over. The BEST LIVE MUSIC in Cedar Springs! Enjoy the band  UNION GUNS from 8 pm -midnight, featuring Miller/Coors products.

RED FLANNEL GRAND LODGE TENT; HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS PARK

RED HAWK REUNION BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR!

Calling Cedar Springs Red Hawks! (21 and over) Red Flannel Day Red Hawk Reunion! Music, dancing, fun, prizes, and drinks! Starting shortly after the Grand Parade. 5 to 7pm. Bring your yearbooks, Red Hawk swag and Red Flannel Day memories! 5$ cover at the door. See you there!

RED FLANNEL GRAND LODGE TENT; HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS PARK

SCOTTVILLE CLOWN BAND

They’re back to entertain Cedar Springs! Directly following the Grand Parade. Bring a chair!

HEART OF CEDAR SPRINGS AMPHITHEATER

This Saturday, September 24, marks the 79^th annual Red Flannel Festival Queen Scholarship Pageant, where judges will decide who will be the 2022 Red Flannel Festival Queen and Court, and represent the Red Flannel Festival for the next year.

It will be held at Cedar Springs High School, 204 E. Muskegon Street at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Cedar Springs Public Library and the Red Flannel Festival office. They are $10 for adults, $5 for students 18 and younger. 

There are six contestants for judges to choose from this year. 

They are:

Contestant #1 Sally Mae Odren, daughter of Andy and Heather Odren.

Contestant #2 Haley Joy Van Kampen, daughter of Dennis and Kelly Van Kempen.

Contestant #3 Brie Kalyn Cummings, daughter of Brian and Heidi Cummings.

Contestant #4 Haleigh Brooke Johnson, daughter of Aaron and Ashleigh Wilcome.

Contestant #5 Alecia Jailyn Alber, daughter of Dan and Kara Alber.

Contestant #6 Abigail Marie Goltz, daughter of Keith and Laura Goltz.

The Queen and Court members that are selected will receive scholarship money at the end of their reign. If you would like to donate to the Queen Scholarship fund, you can do so through Paypal by going to https://www.redflannelfestival.org/queen-and-court-updates/ and clicking on “Queen donation.” You can also send a check or money order to The Red Flannel Festival, PO Box 43, Cedar Springs, Michigan, 49319.

Red Flannel Lumberjack Supper

Would you like a great meal before the Red Flannel Queen Scholarship Pageant? Then come on out to enjoy an old-fashioned Lumberjack Supper, at Cedar Springs High School, on Saturday, September 24, from 5-7 p.m. You’ll get pulled pork, potatoes, vegetables, beverages, and dessert. Adults are $12, kids 12 and under $10. 

Red Flannel is Chicken Time!

Get your grilled chicken dinner on Red Flannel Day from the CS Rotary Club at the corner of Main and Cherry Streets from 11 AM to 5 PM or until the chickens are gone. Look for the big white tent. For $10, you get 1/2 grilled chicken, potato salad, cookie and a drink. Proceeds go to support community organizations such as the CS Library; CS Community Food Pantry; ScoutsUSA Troop 222B and Cub Scout Pack 3220; Youth Leadership Training and scholarships; CS Garden Club; and others. See you then!

Red Flannel Powder Puff game – new day and time

The Red Flannel Powder Puff game between the Lady Red Hawk juniors and seniors will be held on Wednesday, September 28, at 6 p.m. at Red Hawk Stadium. Come on out and show your support!

Firefighter parade

You don’t want to miss the special parade on Friday, September 30, to honor our local firefighters! It will take place after the home football game.

March 15 and 16

Grand Rapids – Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group proudly present PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite,” coming to DeVos Performance Hall on Tuesday, March 14 and Wednesday, March 15 at 6 p.m. This brand-new production is an interactive live stage show, where members of the audience get to be heroes unleashed, helping the pups solve puzzles as honorary members of the pack, while they navigate the globe to make it back to Adventure Bay in the nick of time. Featuring stunning visual effects, captivating storytelling and a vibrant musical score that will have guests dancing in their seats and singing along, this staged extravaganza is jam-packed with action and fun for the whole family!

PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite” is based on the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, airing on Nickelodeon and produced by Spin Master Entertainment. Tickets for both dates are on sale now at DeVosPerformanceHall.com.

PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite” follows Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups as they face their greatest challenge yet. When Mayor Humdinger clones Robo Dog, chaos ensues all over the world. It’s up to the PAW Patrol to catch the clones, rescue Robo Dog, and show that when the going gets “ruff,” lending a paw makes you the ultimate TOP HERO! This new adventure is going to be PAWsome!

“Heroes Unite” marks the third VStar Entertainment Group and Nickelodeon touring collaboration under the PAW Patrol banner. Since its debut in the fall of 2016, the PAW Patrol Live! Stage shows have been seen by over 4.5 million people, providing fans in over 40 countries with an unforgettable Broadway-style production. It’s the perfect way for families to create lifelong memories and introduce their kids to live theatre.

Tickets start at $28.50, which includes the $3.50 venue facility fee.

A former sergeant in the Marine Corps took a new job as a high school teacher.

Just before the school year started, he injured his back. He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fit under his shirt and wasn’t noticeable.

On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. The smart punks, having already heard the new teacher was a former Marine, were leery of him and he knew they would be testing his discipline in the classroom.

Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the new teacher opened the window wide and sat down at his desk. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he picked up a stapler and stapled the tie to his chest. 

There was dead silence in the classroom.

The rest of the year went very smoothly.

theTable Meals at The Springs Church

Sept. 29: Meals are served every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at The Springs Church on the corner of Oak and Grant. All are welcome to theTable to enjoy this free meal that is being shared with us! #tfn

Book Sale at the CS Library

Sept.28-Oct. 1: The Cedar Springs Friends of the Library is having a book sale at the Cedar Springs Public Library. The sale is Wednesday, September 28^th through Friday, September 30 from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday, October 1^st from 9 am to 12 Noon. Hardcover books are $1 and paperbacks are 50¢. All proceeds support library programs. #38,39

Homecoming Tailgate Dinner

Sept. 30: Cedar Springs FFA Alumni 2^nd Annual Homecoming Tailgate Dinner is Friday, September 30^th in the Cedar Springs High School parking lot from 5 to 7 pm. Meal tickets are $10 each. Pre-sale tickets available now at Cedar Springs Mill & Supply. Stay and eat or grab and go. All proceeds benefit CSHS FFA. #37,38

Red Flannel is Chicken Time!

Oct. 1: Get your grilled chicken dinner on Red Flannel Day from the CS Rotary Club at the corner of Main and Cherry Streets from 11 am to 5 pm or until the chickens are gone. Look for the big white tent. For $10, you get 1/2 grilled chicken, potato salad, cookie and a drink. Proceeds go to support community organizations such as the CS Library; CS Community Food Pantry; ScoutsUSA Troop 222B and Cub Scout Pack 3220; Youth Leadership Training and scholarships; CS Garden Club; and others. See you then! #38,39

EnhanceFitness Classes

Oct. 3: Classes are available to any older adult. New location at the Cedar Springs Public Library, 107 N. Main St. Cedar Springs, beginning October 3rd. Enhance Fitness Classes meet 2 times a week but you can drop in anytime! Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 am. All you need are comfortable shoes and clothes. Do what you can do! Focus on strengthing, balance, conditioning, flexibility and having fun! Make new friends! Safe and effective for older adults. Suggested donation of $3.00 per class. Silver Sneakers members attend at no cost! Schedules and COVID precautions are subject to change. Call 616-233-0283 for more information. #38,39

Prince and Princess contest

On September 21, the youngest members of Red Flannel royalty will be crowned at the Kent Theatre, at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Business and house decorating contest

Show your Red Flannel pride by decorating your house—the more creative the better. Judging is September 27. It’s free to enter, and applications can be found at www.redflannelfestival.org. Cash prizes for first, second, and third place in both the house and business divisions. 

Red Flannel 5/10K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run

Come join the fun on Saturday, September 24. Late registration is available at 7:30 a.m. morning of the run at the amphitheater in the Heart of Cedar Springs (shirts not guaranteed at late registration.) Packet pickup from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the Heart of Cedar Springs Park. The 10K run starts at 9:00 a.m., 5K Run/Walk starts at 9:15 a.m., and the Kids Run starts at 9:45 a.m.

Sport your Red Flannel pride, by wearing your best Red Flannel outfits, the zanier the better, as you race through the streets of Cedar Springs! Prizes will be awarded to the winners by crowd vote! (Please remember that this is a family event, when choosing your attire.) For a registration form and to see cost per participant, go to https://www.redflannelfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/5-10K-form.pdf

Bed Races

The annual bed races are a zany way to kick off some Red Flannel fun on the Saturday before Red Flannel Day. Sign up today for some fun with your friends and family!

The bed races are a fun-filled event consisting four pushers and one rider who push a bed around a timed obstacle course.

Date: Saturday, September 24

Time: 12:30 p.m. Check In, 1:00 p.m. race

Where: Heart of Cedar Springs (Maple and Second)

Wheels must be a minimum of five inches, and at least two of them must turn.

It’s free to enter!

Red Flannel Kids Fun Day

The Red Flannel Festival Kids Fun Day event will be held Saturday, September 24 11a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Heart of Cedar Springs park, in front of the amphitheater next to the CS Public Library on Maple Street. 

There will be games, a bubble machine, face painting by Erica, plus a raffle. A $1 raffle ticket gets you in a drawing for all day wristbands for the 2022 Red Flannel Day Rides, a bike, games, TV, and more. Drawing to take place at 12:30 p.m.

Don’t miss out on all the fun!

Faith Fraser and Anna Nozkowski will serve as Grand Marshals for the 83rd Red Flannel Festival

By Judy Reed

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors have proudly named Cedar Springs residents Faith Fraser and Anna Nozkowski as the 2022 Grand Marshals for the 83rd Annual Celebration, to be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022.  

“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Faith and Anna’s outstanding dedication to the Cedar Springs community and their dedication as Festival Board members,” said Nancy Deyman, President of the Festival. 

Anna served on the Red Flannel Festival Board for three years, the last year as First Vice President. Faith served on the Red Flannel board for over four years, her last year in the role of secretary and parade organizer.

“It is very obvious Faith and Anna love The Red Flannel Town and especially the Red Flannel Festival,” said Deyman. “Faith and Anna are sisters and will reign this year, the Festival’s 83rd Annual Celebration, over the two weekends of the 15^th oldest Festival in the state of Michigan, sharing the Red Flannel warmth of our community to visitors and residents.”

Faith and Anna moved to Cedar Springs with their family in 1991. Anna said she was in sixth grade. Anna went on to marry her middle school sweetheart, and they have two boys—Jacob 16, and Marek 12. Faith is single but said she has four amazing kids: Aaron, 27; Travis, 16; Emily, 16; and Jack, 14.

The Red Flannel Festival has always been important to the sisters. Faith remembers taking part in it before being a resident here. “Red Flannel is important to me because it’s something I have been a part of since before moving here,” she explained.  “I rode my bicycle through the parade when my dad ran for State rep. I have always enjoyed being a part of the festival as the parade organizer, former board member, and volunteer, as well as just a spectator.  As one of the oldest festivals in Michigan it has truly been an honor to serve the citizens of Cedar Springs and keep this tradition alive.”

Anna likes the way it brings people together. “The Red Flannel Festival is important to me because it is the one weekend a year where we can all come together as one community and celebrate our heritage,” she said. “The Festival has so much rich history behind it and I think it is important to keep that history alive. Plus, where else can you hang out in your underwear for a whole weekend out in public?”

Besides volunteering for the Red Flannel Festival, Faith and Anna have kept busy volunteering in other areas of the community. “I spend a lot of my time these days as a soccer referee and board member for Cedar Springs AYSO,” said Anna. “I became involved there when our boys began playing soccer about 8 or 9 years ago. I truly enjoy being on the field with the players, helping them learn the game and have fun.”

Faith has volunteered in other ways. “I have always jumped in and volunteered with pretty much everything I have done. I was a 4H leader for many years, and my most recent job has me volunteering at a shelter serving food to people in need. I delivered Santa Clause girls presents for a few years. Volunteering is something I have always enjoyed doing, from roadside cleanups to selling tickets for events at the Delta Plex.”

Despite all they have accomplished, neither felt they deserved the honor of Grand Marshal. “I truly felt that I shpuld not be chosen,” said Faith. “I felt there must have been someone they overlooked, then I cried because it was truly one of the greatest honors to be chosen for the Grand Marshal! I am extremely proud to have been selected out of the many that were nominated.”

“Like Faith, at first I felt I was not deserving as there are many, many people in our community who have served for so long. When Matt told me I would be sharing the role with my sister, my first thought was ‘This is going to be a riot!’  I am truly honored to have been chosen for this and I can’t think of anyone I would rather share it with than my sister,” said Anna.

Both Faith and Anna would urge others to also volunteer with the Red Flannel Festival and other organizations. “Volunteering is one of the most fulfilling ways to help out your community I can think of and even giving just a little bit of your time is so appreciated,” said Anna. “The Festival and many other organizations would not be where they are today without volunteers.”

“I encourage everyone to go out and volunteer, there are so many areas in the community that depend on volunteers in order to keep their mission going,” remarked Faith. “I always volunteer because I love being around people, learning new things.  Even if you have no money, you can give your time and the return you get is worth far more than anything imaginable!”

Congratulations to Faith and Anna, who will help us all celebrate this year’s Red Flannel Festival theme, Cheers to 83 years!

Tickets on Sale Friday, September 16 at 10 a.m.

Grand Rapids – Multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) – today announced the dates for its highly anticipated 2022 winter tour, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – the Best of TSO & More presented by Hallmark Channel. The tour will make a stop in Grand Rapids, MI at Van Andel Arena on Sunday, December 4 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. After its first year off the road in more than two decades, TSO made a triumphant return to touring in 2021 with a 25th anniversary celebration of Christmas Eve and Other Stories. For 2022, TSO brings a completely updated presentation of the unforgettable, multi-generational holiday tradition, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” to 60 cities across the nation. This year’s tour kicks off on Wednesday, November 16 with performances in Green Bay and Council Bluffs, and will conclude after 101 shows on Friday, December 30 (see full itinerary www.trans-siberian.com).

Van Andel Arena is proud to welcome TSO when they return to Grand Rapids, MI for two spectacular shows on Sunday, December 4, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday, September 16 at 10 a.m. at VanAndelArena.com. Beginning with the public on sale, a limited number of specially priced $29 tickets, plus applicable fees and taxes, will be available for one week or while supplies last. Keeping with the O’Neill’s vision (Paul O’Neill, and his wife Desi), TSO remains one of rock’s most charitable bands. Once again, thankfully, TSO will give at least $1 from every ticket sold to charity. To date, approximately $18 million has been donated by the group. Desi O’Neill said, “we want to thank the fans so much for the kindness they showed in coming out last year. It meant the world to our family. Moreover, the credit for any charitable donation is due to you not us. The only way we are able to help all is because of you.” 

A product of the imagination of TSO’s late founder Paul O’Neill, and his wife Desi, and based on TSO’s multi-platinum CD and TV special, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” the rock opera features such enduring fan-favorites as “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” “Promises To Keep,” and “This Christmas Day.” 2022’s tour will also boast a rousing second set containing more of TSO’s greatest hits and fan-pleasers including “Wizards In Winter,” “A Mad Russian’s Christmas,” and many more. 

“It was so special to be back playing live last year. When you love something as much as we do and it’s taken away, it made us super thankful to be back. I look forward to seeing all our ‘repeat offenders’ and all our new friends when we hit the road,” said TSO’s music director and lead guitarist Al Pitrelli. “I love all of Paul’s stories, but ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ is one of my favorites and can’t wait to unveil this incredibly amazing new show for everyone.

“We know some people may be having tough times, so we worked hard with the local promoters and arenas to have a low priced $29 ticket to do our part in helping out. God Bless all of you and see you in November and December when we celebrate in-person once again.” 

For more details on tour dates and ticket sales, visit www.trans-siberian.com. 

Some tourists stopped for lunch in a Welsh town. 

The tourists were from the U.S., and they were unable to pronounce the name of the town they saw written on the sign. So they decided to ask.

“Before we order, could you very slowly say where we are?” they asked the man waiting to take their order.

The man smiled. “Burrrr…gerrrr Kiiiiiiing…”

Hometown Happenings articles are a community service for non-profit agencies only. Due to popular demand for placement in this section, we can no longer run all articles. Deadline for articles is Monday at 5 p.m. This is not guaranteed space. Articles will run as space allows. Guaranteed placement is $10, certain restrictions may apply. You now can email your Hometown Happenings to happenings@cedarspringspost.com please include name and phone number for any questions we may have.

theTable Meals at The Springs Church

Sept. 15,22,29: Meals are served every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at The Springs Church on the corner of Oak and Grant. All are welcome to theTable to enjoy this free meal that is being shared with us! #tfn

Mobile Food Pantry

Sept. 19: The Mobile Food Pantry will be in Cedar Springs on Monday, September 19th at the Cedar Springs Fire Station, 38 N. Second St. Drive Thru: Registration begins at 4:30. At 5 pm, cars will drive up by the tables and food boxes will be loaded in their vehicles. Free food and everyone is welcomed! Mobile Food Pantry is every 3^rd Monday of the month. #37

Blood Drive at CS Library

Sept. 20: The Cedar Springs Public Library will be hosting a Blood Drive in their Community Room next Tuesday, September 20^th with appointments available from 12:30-7pm. To sign up for an appointment, please call 1-866-642-5663 or visit versiti.org/MI.  Be the difference in your community and help save 3 lives in little as one hour! #37

Fall Rummage Sale

Sept. 22-24: The Sand Lake United Methodist Women are hosting their Fall Rummage Sale September 22 – 24. Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Located at 65 W. Maple (NW corner of the park). You can still donate items for the sale this weekend on Friday or Saturday, September 16 and 17, from 10 am to 6 pm. #37,38

Fairy Festival at HCNC

Sept. 24: Join us for an afternoon of fun crafts and a walk in the woods in search of fairy doors. Saturday, September 24^th at 1 pm. Howard Christiansen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr., Kent City. Door prizes and raffle. Dress up encouraged. $5 for nonmembers and $3 for members. www.howardcity.org 616-675-3158. #37,38

Homecoming Tailgate Dinner

Sept. 30: Cedar Springs FFA Alumni 2^nd Annual Homecoming Tailgate Dinner is Friday, September 30^th in the Cedar Springs High School parking lot from 5 to 7 pm. Meal tickets are $10 each. Pre-sale tickets available now at Cedar Springs

After nearly 50 years of marriage, a couple was lying in bed one evening, when the wife felt her husband, begin to massage her in a way he hadn’t in quite some time. It almost tickled as his fingers started at her neck, and then began moving down past the small of her back. He then caressed her shoulders and neck, slowly worked his hand down, stopping just over her stomach. He then proceeded to place his hand on her left inner arm, working down her side, passing gently down her leg to her calf. He continued in the same manner on her right side, then suddenly stopped, rolled over and became quiet.

She had enjoyed this caressing, so she said in a loving voice, “Honey, that was wonderful. Why did you stop?” 

“What? Oh!” he said, “I found the remote.”