Check out some of the fun, fall activities going on in our area in the days leading up to Halloween night.

Fall Fest

Oct. 19: 10:30 a.m., Nelson Twp./Sand Lake Branch of Kent District Library
88 Eighth St., Sand Lake. Celebrate the season with Autumn crafts, games and process art activities that focus more on the process and less on the final product.

Free Harvest Party

Oct. 19: Cedar Creek Community Church, 2969 14 Mile RD NE, will be hosting a free Harvest Party on Saturday October 19, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Free food, hayrides, bounce house, games and great fellowship. Open to everyone. 

Pumpkin carving and spooky walk at Nature Center

Oct. 25: Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr. Kent City, MI 49330. 6 p.m. $5 Non-Members/ $3 Members. Nothing says Halloween like pumpkin carving and a spooky trail walk! Price includes a pumpkin and everything you need to carve it. Carving Starts at 6 p.m. Walks will leave when it gets dark. This event is open to kids of all ages (even the grown up ones). Donuts, cider, and coffee provided. We can only guarantee pumpkins for those that preregister! Go here to register: https://www.howardchristensen.org/product/10-26-pumpkin-carving-and-spooky-walk/

Kids Club

Oct. 26: from 11-noon at the Spencer Township Branch of Kent District Library, 14960 Meddler Ave NE, Gowen, MI 49326. For grades K-5. It’s a special time for fun, interactive programs just for school aged kids!  Join our KDL Kids Club program for autumn-themed crafts, games and other activities. This Saturday’s focus is leaf chromatography and fall crafts.

Pumpkin giveaway

Oct. 26: from 2-6 p.m. at Morley Park, 70 Cedar Street, in Cedar Springs. The 2019 Pumpkin Giveaway, hosted by the Green Family & Friends and the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, is for kids of all ages. There will be a costume contest, carnival games, prizes, face painting, cupcakes, and 500 pumpkins to give away! For more information, check out the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/776811189437193/. 

Trunk or Treat at Courtland-Oakfield UMC

Oct. 26: Trunk or Treat outside weather permitting. Inside if it’s cold and rainy. Saturday, October 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church, 10295 Myers Lake NE, Rockford. Safe, friendly and fun. We’ll also be serving a free hot dog supper.

Trunk or Treat

Oct. 26: East Nelson Church, 9024-18 Mile NE will be having Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26 from 5-7 p.m.

Teen Zone: Halloween Party

Oct. 29: 3;30-4:30 p.m., Tyrone Township Branch of Kent District Library, 43 S Main St, Kent City, MI 49330. Teens in grades 6-12, come celebrate Halloween at the Library on Tuesday, October 29, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Enter the costume contest, snack on spooky treats and play fun games ahead of the holiday.

Family Storytime

Oct. 30: from 10-11 a.m. at the Spencer Township Branch of Kent District Library, 14960 Meddler Ave NE, Gowen, MI 49326. For children 0 to 6 years old with a parent or caregiver. Dress up in a costume this week and read and sing together as a family. Enjoy autumn and Halloween stories, music, movement and rhymes that develop early literacy skills. 

Trick or treating in downtown Cedar Springs

Oct. 31: Businesses on and just off Main Street will be open for trick or treating on October 31 from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Local businesses will be handing out candy and there will be police on duty to assist with crossing Main Street. Residential trick or treating is from 5-8 p.m.

Halloween Hospitality Center 

October 31: Warm up and rest station at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main St. Cedar Springs. We will be in the fellowship hall Oct. 31 serving hot chocolate, popcorn & treats from 4:30-6:30 pm. We hope to see you there.

Teen Zone

Oct. 31: from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Spencer Township Branch of Kent District Library, 14960 Meddler Ave NE, Gowen, MI 49326. For tweens and teens.

Wear your costume for teen-only fun for you and your friends at the library!  Stop by for Halloween activities, games, food and more! 

Trunk or Treat at The Springs Church

Oct. 31: Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat at The Springs Church, 135 N. Grant Street, from 6-8 p.m. on Halloween night. Our aim is to provide a safe and fun alternative to Halloween for people of all ages. Everyone is welcome! 

Trick or treat at Metron

Oct. 31: Metron of Cedar Springs, 400 Jeffrey Street, Cedar Springs, will be open for community treating from 6-8 p.m. Just come to the main entrance. Also accepting donations of candy. If donating, please drop off by October 30.

No trunks, just treats at Resurrection Lutheran

Oct. 31:Stop in to Resurrection Lutheran on Thursday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. There you will find No Trunks, Just Treats! The church is located at 180 Northland Dr., Sand Lake from 6-8 p.m.

Check out some of the fun, fall activities going on in our area in the days leading up to Halloween night.

Free Harvest Party

Oct. 20: Cedar Creek Community Church, 2969 – 14 Mile Rd NE, Sparta, 616-866-9829, will be hosting a FREE Harvest Party on Saturday, October 20 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. We will have hayrides (straw – due to allergies), pumpkin painting, dunking for apples, pumpkin bowling, bounce houses, cake walk, games for all ages, face painting, soup and hot dogs (from 5–6 pm), popcorn, lots of fun and fellowship. All are welcome.

Fall Fest at Spencer Township Library

Oct. 23: Celebrate the season with Autumn crafts, games and process art activities that focus more on the process and less on the final product. Tuesday, October 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Spencer Township Library, 14960 Meddler Ave, Gowen, MI 49326. For families with children.

Pumpkin carving and spooky walk

Oct. 26: Nothing says Halloween like pumpkin carving and a spooky trail walk at Howard Christensen Nature Center. Join us for a thrilling and ghoulish night on Friday, October 26, from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $5 for non-members and $3 for members. Price includes a pumpkin and everything you need to carve it. The event is open to kids of all ages (even the grownup ones). Donuts, cider, and coffee provided. Come in costume if you like! Please register online at www.howardchristensen.org.

Salvation Army Monster Mash

Oct. 26: The Salvation Army Kroc Center is holding its sixth-annual “Monster Mash” Halloween event on Friday, October 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Center is located at 2300 S. Division in Grand Rapids. This free event will feature “trunk-or-treating” in the Kroc’s east parking lot, giving families a fun and safe alternative to trick-or-treating in their own neighborhoods. Multiple Kroc Center and other Salvation Army groups will be distributing candy and other information, along with other local businesses.

Trunk or Treat at Courtland-Oakfield UMC

Oct. 27: The early bird gets the (Gummy) worm on Saturday, October 27, from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church, 10295 Myers Lake NE, Rockford. Safe, friendly and fun. We’ll also be serving a free hot dog supper. 

Trunk or Treat at East Nelson UMC

Oct. 27: Trunk or Treat at East Nelson Church, 9024 – 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs, on Saturday, October 27 from 5-7 p.m. Come and join the scary good fun!

Fall Fest at Nelson Twp/Sand Lake Library

Oct. 30: Celebrate the season with Autumn crafts, games and process art activities that focus more on the process and less on the final product. Tuesday, October 30 at 10:30 am at KDL – Nelson Twp/Sand Lake, 88 8^th St, Sand Lake. Come in costume for a parade around the library!

Cedar Springs Halloween Spooktacular

Oct. 31: The City of Cedar Springs Halloween Spooktacular will be on October 31, 2018 from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Main Street. Local businesses will be handing out candy and there will be police on duty to assist with crossing main the street. Residential trick or treating is from 5-8 p.m.

Halloween Warm Up Station at Cedar Springs UMC

Oct. 31: Be our guest at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church for some hot chocolate and popcorn during your Trick or Treat fun in Cedar Springs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 140 S. Main Street. 

Trunk or Treat at The Springs Church

Oct. 31: Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat at The Springs Church, 135 N. Grant Street, from 6-8 p.m. on Halloween night. Our aim is to provide a safe and fun alternative to Halloween for people of all ages. Everyone is welcome! 

Last House Party at Solon Center Wesleyan

Oct. 31:  “Last House” Party at Solon Center Wesleyan. Make the church your last stop Halloween evening or simply come and hang out in a friendly and safe environment. There will be games, refreshments and candy, of course! The church is located at 15671 Algoma Ave., Cedar Springs, and will be open from 7-8:30 p.m.

Trunk-R-Treat at Hillcrest Community Church

Oct. 31: Stop by Hillcrest Community Church, 5994 18 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs, for their annual Trunk-R-Treat on Wednesday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. Just 2 miles from downtown Cedar Springs. Call 696-9333 for more info.

No trunks, just treats at Resurrection Lutheran

Oct. 31: Stop in to Resurrection Lutheran on Wednesday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. There you will find No Trunks, Just Treats! The church is located at 180 Northland Dr., Sand Lake from 6-8 p.m.

Zoo Keeper gets lost at the farm

Oct. 31: Trunk or Treat at the Boat n Canoe Club, 401 North Park St. in Grand Rapids from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31. Mary’s Farm Critters will be there for young and old; there will be games and candy for all; and costume prizes as well. 

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CS Community Players presents “Arsenic & Old Lace”

Oct. 18-20: “Arsenic & Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring will be presented by the Cedar Springs Community Players on October 18, 19, 20, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Theatre. Adult presale Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Cedar Springs Library. Pricing at the theatre is $12 for adults. Students under 18 are $8.00. #41,42b

Lions Club Informational Breakfast

Oct. 20: The Sand Lake Lions Club is holding a free informational breakfast at the Sand Lake United Methodist Chruch Education Building (corner of 6^th and Maple Streets) in the Village of Sand Lake on Saturday, October 20^th from 8:30 – 10:30 am. It is possible to get to the church even during the road construction on Lake Street. Several District officers will be there to give very brief presentations and answer questions you may have about the largest service organization which has just under 1.5 million memebers. We would apprecaite it if you would call either 616-636-5425 or 616-347-6122 with an RSVP. #42

Huge Book Sale at Spencer Township KDL

Oct. 20,21: Huge book sale at Spencer Township Library. 14960 Meddler Ave., Gowen. Saturday, October 20 from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday, October 21 from 10 am to 2 pm. Great Deals!. #41,42p

Fall Fest at KDL

Oct. 23,30: Celebrate the season with Autumn crafts, games and process art activities that focus on the process and less on the final product. Tuesday, October 23^rd at 6:30 pm, Spencer Township KDL Branch, 14960 Meddler Ave., Gowen and on Tuesday, October 30^th at 10:30 am, Nelson Township/Sand Lake KDL Branch, 88 Eighth St. #42

Help Promote Literacy

Oct. 26: The need is urgent! The Literacy Center of West Michigan is offering an informational meeting on Friday, October 26^th  at 10 am for prospective volunteer tutors. It will last one hour. It provides potential volunteers the opportunity to find out more about the Literacy Center and the role of a volunteer tutor. No experience necessary! We provide our volunteers with all the training they need to be successful tutors for our adult learners. The Literacy Center of West Michigan is located at 1120 Monroe Ave., NW, Suite 240, Grand Rapids. Please call 616-459-5151 (ext. 10) or email us at info@literacycenterwm.org to register. #42

Benefit for Steve Austin Family

Oct. 27: Steve Austin served our community in multiple sports as a ref, umpire, coach, mentor and above all our friend! A benefit will be held on Saturday, October 27^th at Skinner Field (behind Morley Park) in Cedar Springs. Games throughout the Day – 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, 5:30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm. Donation at the Gate – $5/Family or $2/Individual – Your donation will get you a raffle ticket that will go into a drawing for a Detroit Lions Helmet. We will announce the winning ticket at Half Time of the last game and post on our Facebook Page. No need to be present to win. 50/50 Raffles at each game, announcing winners at each half time. Concessions and Spirit Wear will be open! All proceeds from concessions will be donated to the Austin Family. We are looking for volunteers to help throughout the day, sign up genius link https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/20f0f4daea822a0f85-steve/24854862. #42,43p