Bounce houses and water slides were a big hit at the summer reading celebration last week. Post photo by J. Reed.

Kids loved the sno cones supplied by the Green family at the summer reading celebration. Photo by Donna Clark.

By Judy Reed

Last Thursday, August 2, was a great day for the celebration that ended this year’s summer reading program for the Cedar Springs Library.

Over 1300 people turned out for the event, which was held in Morley Park, from 1-3 p.m. Included in the celebration was a lot of fun stuff for kids to do—bounce houses, water slides, carnival games by the Green family, a petting zoo with Animal Junction and Double K Farms, the Kent County Sheriff mounted police, face painting, and more. 

There were long lines for sno cones supplied by the Green family, and Mayor Gerald Hall and his wife, Amy, popped 12 pounds of popcorn! Lots of great prizes were also given away at the event.

Librarian Donna Clark and her staff sure know how to put on a great party. Hope to see you all there next year!

Fly through the DeVos Place on a zip line

 The zip line will once again fly through the DeVos Place, along with the annual Kids & Family Expo. This community expo will be held on Saturday, January 27, and will focus on interactive areas, educational fun, and family activities all while encouraging families to be active and engage in family bonding time.

Cabin fever will hit in January, and this Expo will encourage families to play, celebrate, be active, explore, build, learn, and discover.  Families Matter and this expo will encourage family bonding time along with some moving and creative mind activities. Fun for the whole family!

Featured areas and activities include Zip line; Cow Belly Bounce House; Inflatable Obstacle Course; 40 ft. Art Wall; Mechanical Surfboard; Snowflake Station; live puppet performances; music performances; petting zoo; LEGO build area; reptile and amphibian exhibit; and more.

 This community event helps support the be nice. initiative, an anti-bullying program in local schools through the Mental Health Foundation. “Schools who participate in the postcard distribution will have an opportunity to raise funds for the be nice. initiative.  It is a way for us to give back and support a great program,” says Pam Glass, President of Kohler Expos, Inc., the company that produces the event.

“What we promote, teach and encourage in a family fun environment can only secure the future of the community. We need strong family fun, creative solutions, and community engagement,” states Glass. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for “Family Fun Bucket Prizes” that will include gift certificates and passes to area attractions, restaurants, prizes and activities. Drawings on the hour, every hour at the entrance!

The Kids & Family Expo is scheduled from 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday, January 27, 2018.  Public is invited. Tickets available at www.KohlerExpo.com. Heated parking is conveniently located underneath DeVos Place off the Michigan Street entrance. For more information, please go to www.kohlerexpo.com or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/925176160980918/.

Hannah, 10, and her sister Hailey, 8, pose with The POST.

The Post recently traveled with the Dempsey family, of Solon Township, to Shipshewana, Indiana.

Hannah, 10, her sister Hailey, 8, mom Kathy, and grandma Joyce Petersen stayed over night at the Blue Gate Hotel, where they swam a lot. They had fun at the petting zoo, did lots of shopping at the flea market, and enjoyed lots of good food. They waited to go on a horse and buggy ride, but the line was too long, so they went back to their hotel, and lo and behold, a carriage was parked right in front of the hotel! So the girls got their Cinderella carriage ride after all!

Thanks so much for taking us with you!

Are you going on vacation? Take the Post with you and snap some photos. Then send them to us with some info to news@cedarspringspost.com or mail them to Post travels, PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. We will be looking for yours!

By Judy Reed

“If you build it, they will come.” That iconic line from the movie “Field of Dreams”  came true for the new Cedar Springs Community Library at the kickoff of their Summer Reading program on Monday, June 12, when between 950 and 1,000 people attended the opening event.

“At the end of yesterday we had 920 people signed up for summer reading, which is 300 more sign-ups than we ever had over an entire summer, and 400 more people came in Monday than have in the past,” remarked Library Director Donna Clark.

Double K Petting Barn with Animal Junction 4H had their petting zoo set up out back, under a tree, near the creek. But the heat didn’t seem to deter people. In fact, children took the opportunity to splash in the creek, hang out on the bridge, and rest on the well. “It was so great seeing kids rediscovering the creek,” remarked Clark.

The Cedar Springs Fire Department also had an engine pulled out for the kids to explore. The ice cream cups provided by Kelly’s Restaurant were also a big hit. One of the biggest hits was the appearance of Ronald McDonald himself, who entertained kids first outside with a book and some magic tricks, then inside in the area around the fireplace. “He was so kind and so funny,” said Clark. “Kids were lined up to get their picture taken with him.”

June and July will be filled with reading and special events. The more hours a person reads (K-12) and the more books adults read, the better his/her chance is to win one of the prizes offered by 29 local businesses.

The last day to turn in reading logs is July 21. The program will end with a carnival at Morley Park on July 27, where the prizes will be given away. But kids in grades K-12 don’t have to wait until July 27 to win something—they win with every one of the five reading coupons turned in throughout the summer.

For a complete schedule of events, stop in and pick up a brochure at the library.

Area residents and guests are invited to join in celebrating our Savior’s birth at the first “Live Nativity and Christmas Caroling Celebration” to be held in downtown Rockford. The event takes place on Friday, December 16th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Speed Merchants Bicycle Shop. Those wishing to be a part of the caroling event are asked to meet at North Rockford Middle School or Rockford Baptist Church at 6:45 p.m. to walk down E. Bridge Street to the nativity. Please bring a battery operated candle, flashlight, or your cell phone to carry as you walk. A petting zoo for the children and refreshments will be available for all at Rockford United Methodist Church. Additional information can be found at www.rpmoll.com/Christmas.

Event based Market begins this Saturday

It’s here! This Saturday, June 11, is opening day for Solon Market! The new Market will take place the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will be event-based. This week’s Market features a community sale and petting zoo, chair massages and a raffle fundraiser to help build Velzy Park, the planned recreational facility behind Solon Township’s Office. Join the township in a perimeter walk along the proposed walking trail. Bring your garage sale items and join Solon’s vendors for a day at the Market. Produce featured this week includes asparagus, rhubarb, farm fresh eggs, honey and maple syrup. Other events planned include Christmas in July, Dog Daze Pet Expo in August, Sept Giveaways and Car Bash and October’s Bootacular.

Kids enjoy the petting zoo at the Solon Market.

For more information or to volunteer for events, Please call Shelly at 616-696-1848 or visit their facebook page—Solon Market. The Market address is 15185 Algoma Ave. in Cedar Springs. See you at Market!

By Judy Reed

The annual “Mingle with Kris Kringle” in downtown Cedar Springs gets a little bigger every year, and is starting to become a tradition for families in the community.

Last Saturday’s event, sponsored by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, was a day-long affair, and kicked off with about 40 kids and adults showing up at the library to make decorations to hang on the tree. Perry Hopkins, who organized the event for Chamber, said there was also a great turnout for the story time with Mrs. Clause at Perry’s Place llc for herbs, teas and more, and the Christmas Puzzle time with Santa’s Elves at Alpha Omega Coffee and Games.

There was one glitch—the parade started a half hour late because Santa was running later than expected. But on the bright side, the parade had more participants this year, with the American Legion walking in it, and the cheerleaders leading Santa. Mayor pro-tem Pam Conley also walked in the parade, and helped Santa with his countdown for the tree lighting.

The Red Flannel Queen and Court mingled with residents near the tree, while waiting for Santa, and there was also a petting zoo, and a live nativity by Calvary Assembly of God Church.

The Cedar Springs Historical Society held a tour of the museum after the tree lighting (see page 2).

School’s out and Mom’s already frazzled. The kids have already started their, “I’m bored!” blues.  What to do?  Head on over to Solon Market for a fun-filled summer! The Market kicks off Opening Day Saturday, June 7, with give-aways and a petting zoo, free samples and plenty of seasonal produce as well as crafts, baked goods and flea market items.  Browse the open-air market and visit with your friends, neighbors and family.

Solon Market is bringing back many favorites such as Christmas (in July this year), Fire Fighter Days and the popular Dog Daze Pet Expo. For a complete calendar of events, check out their facebook page at Solon Market or call 696-4227.

Solon Market is a free market charging nothing to vendors for set-up. Located at 15185 Algoma Ave. behind Solon Township Offices in and near the picturesque barn once owned by the Stout Family. It is family-oriented and kid friendly.  Market hours are every Saturday through October from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Come and join the fun!