Christmas is right around the corner—Christmas in July that is!

The fun starts this Friday, July 14, when the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce holds a Community Potluck Picnic and Movie in Morley Park. The picnic starts at 6 p.m. This is a free event where everyone is welcome. Bring the family down and a dish to pass and enjoy dinner and yard games in the park before the movie starts! Dinnerware and water provided. This year’s movie is Arthur Christmas and starts at dusk.

On Saturday, July 15, over 90 businesses and vendors will line Main Street for the Christmas in July Artisan Market and Sidewalk Sales event. It starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. They will hold a ribbon cutting for Ryanne Donahue State Farm Agency at 11 a.m.

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.

Head Start for Kent County

Apply today! North Kent Head Start a high quality preschool program is taking applications. No cost to families. 3 year old – full day classes. Family support – transportation (in most areas). Nutritious meals and snacks. Child Health and Development screenings. Accommodations for children with disabilities. Families must meet eligibility guidelines. Complete an application on our website www.hs4kc.org or call 616-453-4145. #28,29b

Potluck Picnic, Movie and Sidewalk Sales

July 14,15 : Christmas in July Community Potluck Picnic and Movie in Morley Park: The fun starts Friday, July 14^th at  6 pm in Morley Park. This year the Cedar Springs area Chamber of Commerce has decided to add a community potluck/picnic to the Christmas in July movie in Morley Park event. This is a free event where everyone is welcome. Bring the family down & a dish to pass and enjoy dinner and yard games in the park before the movie starts! This year’s Christmas in July movie will be “Arthur Christmas”. Saturday July 15^th over 90 businesses & vendors will participate in Christmas in July Sidewalk Sales. #28b

Sing to the Lord

July 16: 2^nd Chance will be having gospel hymn sing on Sunday, July 16^th at 6 pm. It will be at 2^nd Chance School at 810 – 17 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs (corner of 17 Mile and Olin Lakes Rd). Music will be provided by Deb and Larry Eadie and the message shared by Ron Parson. Invite your family and friends. The Sing to the Lord hymn sings will be every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month. Sing to the Lord hymn sings will introduce you to 2nd Chance and its vision. The school is in the building stage, which when completed, will teach troubled teens through God and the horse. If you have questions, call 616-293-2150. See you there! #28b

Dinner at the Legion

July 17: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Baked Chicken dinner on Monday, July 17^th , from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salad, roll, dessert and drink. The cost is $9 for adults, children (15 and younger) $4.00. Come and enjoy home cooking. Take out is available. 616-696-9160.  #28

VBS at Ensley Baptist Church

July 17-21: Ensley Baptist Church, 7077 E. 120^th St., Sand Lake will be hosting Vacation Bible School, “Camp Kilimanjaro” an epic expedition through Proverbs, July 17 thru 21 from 9 am to 12 noon. Ages: pre-K thru 6^th grade. #28

Alan Kazam – Magic Show

July 18: If it’s fun, laughter and unforgettable memories you’re looking for, then come watch Alan Kazam, a professional magician who has been delighting audiences with his unique brand of magic for over 20 years. Presented by the Cedar Springs Community Library on Tuesday, July 18^th from 1 to 2 pm at Cedar Springs Middle School, corner Northland Drive and 16 Mile Rd. #28

Celebrate Recovery Tent Meeting

July 18: The weekly (Tuesday at 6:30 pm) meeting fo the nationally recognized program Celebrate Recovery will be a tent meeting outside on Tuesday, July 18^th at Hillcrest Community Church, 5993 – 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Phone 616-696-9333 for more information. #28

Michigan Blood Drive

July 18: A Michigan Blood Drive will be held on July 18^th at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church from 12:30 pm until 7 pm. Members of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club will be grilling hot dogs for all those who attempt to donate. Chips and a drink will be included. Summer is a particularly slow number for donors but a high demand for blood. Each donation has the potential to save 3 Michigan lives. The Blood Center thanks all the people that donate at the Cedar Springs blood drive. #28

VBS at Cedar Springs UMC

July 24-27: Come and discover your Super strength with us at “Hero Central!” We’ll have lots of fun – including crafts, games, stories and much more. Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main Street. July 24^th to the 27^th from 6 to 8 pm. Find registration forms on our website, www.cedarspringsumc.org, outside of the Sanctuary or in the church office. Contact Sally Johnson with any questions at 616-788-8225 or email: sallex58@gmail.com. #28,29b

VBS at Resurrection Lutheran Church

July 24-28: Vacation Bible School at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 Northland Drive, Sand Lake will be held July 24^th – 28^th from 6 to 8 pm. Ages 4 years old to sixth grade (entering). For registration information, please email churchresurrection@yahoo.com or call 616-636-5502. #27-29b

It’s going to be a busy weekend in downtown Cedar Springs. The Cedar Springs Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Community Building Development Team to bring some exciting family events to this year’s Christmas in July sidewalk sales event, including a free movie in the park, the groundbreaking for the new Cedar Springs Library at Main and W. Maple Street, and a free concert at the site where the new amphitheater will be built (near the new library).

The weekend starts with a free movie in Morley Park, concessions, and other activities Friday, July 8, at 6 p.m. This year’s movie will be the Christmas movie Elf. Some businesses in downtown Cedar Springs will have Christmas in July sidewalk sales on Saturday July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Then at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, will be the groundbreaking for the new Cedar Springs Library at the corner of Main and W. Maple Streets, near the Fire Station. Everyone is encouraged to attend and celebrate this milestone.

The Community Building Development Team is also hosting a free concert performed by the band Mane Street, on July 9, from 6-10 p.m., at the site of the future amphitheater in the Heart of Cedar Springs. This is the lot where Cedar Springs began in the 1850’s, and is also in the same area where the new library is being built. There currently is a flowing well on the site, featuring one of the springs that Cedar Springs is named for. The address for the concert is 37 W. Maple Street, and is just west of the Fire Station and north of the White Pine Trail staging area. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and be ready to hear some good music!

Solon Market!

It’s Christmas in July at Solon Market! Join the fun this Saturday, July 9, at Solon Market, 15185 Algoma Ave. Santa arrives via fire truck at 10:00AM but the fun begins when Market opens at 9:00 a.m.  There will be cookies to decorate, pictures with Santa shared via Facebook, drawings, games and activities.

For your convenience, the Market has reserved Solon’s Community Room for the event.  Come enjoy the ambience of the Market, browse the stands, visit with your neighbors and pick up fresh produce, crafts, baked goods or flea market items. Have you been a good boy/girl? Be sure to visit with Santa and give him your list! Dress the kids for a run through the fire hose!

Solon Market is a FREE market, by the community, for the community.   There are no set-up fees, parking or cover charges.  Market hours are the second Saturday of the month, 9AM until 1PM. Want to join the Market family?  Give us a call at 616-696-4227 or 616-696-1718. Check out our Facebook page (Solon Market) and “like” us for updates.  See you at Market!

See the Mane St. band at a free concert at the site of the future amphitheater on July 9.

The Cedar Springs Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Community Building Development Team to bring some exciting family events to this year’s Christmas in July sidewalk sales event, including a free movie in the park, the groundbreaking for the new Cedar Springs Library, and a free concert at the site where the new amphitheater will be built.

Christmas in July is an annual Chamber of Commerce event, which takes place the weekend of the second Saturday of July. The weekend starts with a free movie in Morley Park, concessions, and other activities Friday, July 8, at 6 p.m. This year’s movie will be the Christmas movie Elf. Some businesses in downtown Cedar Springs will have Christmas in July sidewalk sales on Saturday July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Then at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, will be the groundbreaking for the new Cedar Springs Library at the corner of Main and W. Maple Streets, near the Fire Station. Everyone is encouraged to attend and celebrate this milestone.

The Community Building Development Team is also hosting a free concert performed by the band Mane Street, on July 9, from 6-10 p.m., at the site of the future amphitheater in the Heart of Cedar Springs. This is the lot where Cedar Springs began in the 1850’s, and is also in the same area where the new library is being built. There currently is a flowing well on the site, featuring one of the springs that Cedar Springs is named for. The address for the concert is 37 W. Maple Street, and is just west of the Fire Station and north of the White Pine Trail staging area. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and be ready to hear some good music!

For details on the weekend and to see the ads download the link below:

ChristmasInJuly-sf.pdf

For the Christmas in July movie the “Polar Express” will be shown at Morley Park on July 10th

August’s science fiction movie is planned for E.T.

When the Game Stands Tall is the football movie scheduled for September.

Would you like to get some great deals locally and have some fun at the same time? Would you like to try something new on Friday night for family time? If that’s the case, the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has some events coming up you are going to love.

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (CSACoC) is hosting Sidewalk Sales the second Saturday in July, August, and September. Each month the sidewalk sales will be themed differently for more excitement. July is Christmas in July, August is Science Fiction, and September is football.

The Chamber is also providing free family-friendly movies in Morley Park during the summer months. The movies in the park will be held on the Friday before the sidewalk sales and will match the themes of the sidewalk sales. If by chance it is rained out on Friday, the movie will be played on Saturday.

On July 10, the movie will be “Polar Express” and start just before dark. It will coincide with “Christmas in July” sidewalk sales on July 11. Come to the CSACoC’s booth in the parking lot in front of the Cedar Chest Retail Shop and Curves/Jenny Craig for details on how to win a free bicycle. Bicycles will be given away at the August movie in the park just before the movie starts. There will also be a dunk tank at the corner of Elm and Main from 11:30 to p.m.

The August 7 movie will be “ET” to coincide with the August 8 Science Fiction-themed sidewalk sales (pending city council approval).

The September 11 movie will be “When the Game Stands Tall” to go along with the football-themed sidewalk sales on September 12  (pending city council approval).

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is asking the local businesses to get in the spirit and decorate their businesses and/or storefronts to the theme of the month. The decorating doesn’t have to be limited to just the weekend of the movie/sidewalk sales. Feel free to use the theme all month long. For more info, contact Chamber president Perry Hopkins at Perry’s Place at the corner of Main and Maple Streets or email kinofhope@yahoo.com.