Banks Township Historical Society

Jordan River Arts Council
As a leader of the Jordan River area’s cultural community, the Jordan River Arts Council promotes, encourages, and nurtures the artistic endeavors of local residents and provides an organized framework through which quality workshops, classes, exhibits, programs and performances can be presented.

Recognizing its responsibility to nurture art in daily living and to provide participation opportunities in all areas of the arts, JRAC serves a diverse and growing community. To accomplish this mission, the Arts Council relies upon a volunteer Board of Directors and the cooperation and support of area communities.

Kiersten’s Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing help, hope, and healing through suicide prevention programs in Northern Lower Michigan. We are committed to raising awareness in our community so that future acts of suicide may be prevented.

The Jordan Valley Community Band is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary during the 2014-2015 season. Our volunteer musicians range from students to senior citizens that rehearse at the East Jordan High School Band room on Thursday evenings from 7-9 PM. Rebecca Palmiter directs this group of musicians who represent Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego Counties. The annual winter concert is the first Sunday in December, the annual spring concert is the first Sunday in May. These concerts are held at the East Jordan High School auditorium at 3:00 PM and are free. Following the May concert, the audience is cordially invited to an Afterglow to celebrate our anniversary. During the month of July, the band performs in the bandshell in East Jordan’s Memorial Park on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM. New members are always welcome. For further information, call Phyllis Childs, Sec. at 582-3488 or Rebecca Palmiter, Director at 582-3734. The Jordan Valley Community Band is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization.

Life skills Building Center. Please visit our Resale Shop at 8888 Ance Rd. Charlevoix.

World Class Music – Right Here At Home! 

The Vision of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra is that we will be
“the Resident Chamber Orchestra of Northern Michigan that produces a sustainable,
high-quality product that delights the community.”

The EJ legacy dates back to 1883 when William E. Malpass
and his father-in-law, Richard W. Round, established a
foundry on the shores of Lake Charlevoix in the town of
East Jordan. Known as East Jordan Iron Works for over 125
years, the company has become an international leader in
the design, manufacture, and distribution of access solutions
for water, sewer, drainage, telecommunications, and utility
networks.
The Visitor Center features various exhibits about the history,
process, products, and global presence of the company.
Come visit us today.

Monday – Friday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Other times by appointment

VISION
Teens will have a place to BE:  safe, accepted, supported, entertained, fed, mentored, and loved.

MISSION
Offer teens a path to BECOME: connected, confident, responsible, equipped, and an adult follower of Jesus.

PURPOSE
To introduce teens to Jesus

Castle Farms of Charlevoix is one of Michigan’s premier historic tour attractions and destination wedding venues. This beautiful French Renaissance castle built in 1918 features soaring stone towers, romantic courtyards and magnificent gardens, plus Norm, the Castle’s very own dragon! Museum quality collections showcased throughout the Castle include antique toys, castles, and royalty memorabilia from around the world. The Castle’s Outdoor Model Railroad is the largest in Michigan, with 68 G-scale trains steaming across more than 1/2 mile of track. The Castle also provides the perfect venue for weddings, proms, corporate events, or private parties. Open year round, Castle Farms is listed on the National and State Historic Registries.

Welcome to the Camp Daggett Adventure Center (CDAC).  Experiential education, team-building opportunities, and low/high ropes challenge courses offer empowering moments for growth in challenging, safe and fun environments.  For some, this type of learning environment may seem unique, but whether you feel right at home, or you find yourself a little bit hesitant; the programs provided at the CDAC are designed as an “invitation to learn” for all participants.  It is in that same spirit, that we invite you to explore and learn more about all that the CDAC and its wonderful programs have to offer.  We are ready to share in an unforgettable experience, and we hope you are too!

The Antrim County Fair is an annual community based event focusing on local youth and 4-H groups, local crafts, and businesses. There are many activities including equestrian events with multiple age groups and classes.

There is the market and showmanship divisions for swine, cows, poultry , sheep and other animals. Also included in the activities are local performers, craftsmen and educators. There is a exhibition barn that houses the many crafts, foods, photo and art exhibits. A small animal barn that houses the many ducks, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and other small animals that participate in the fair activities.

There is a veterans day, senior citizens day and kids day where we have all kinds of activities geared towards kids! And adults that think they are still kids! We have many local entertainers and vendors. So please come join us at the Antrim County Fair.

August 10 – 12, 2017

June 27 – July 1, 2018

The East Jordan Freedom Festival is East Jordan’s signature festival. The week long schedule of events offers something for the whole family. The week kicks off on Wednesday and continues throughout the week with an outdoor movie for all ages, Old Time Kids Games on Wednesday evening with fun and games for the kids. Thursday offers a Farmer’s Market in the morning with Schmidt Amusements, and Live Music in the Park for the evening. Friday is a favorite with locals, as well as, visitors from near and far with the Youth Parade, Friday Night Block Party with Live Music, Button Drawings for great prizes and vendor booths from local non-profits. Saturday is the highlight of the week with the Jordan Valley Triathlon, Grand Parade, Food Vendors, Live Entertainment in the park followed by the Lip Sync Contest, Prize Raffle, Festival 500 Raffle and much more. The evening ends with the Fabulous Fireworks shot from a barge in the middle of the beautiful South Arm of Lake Charlevoix and synchronized to music. The weeks ends with the Freedom Lovers Breakfast put on by the Sno-Mobilers Club. Please make plans to join us in East Jordan for this fun filled week of events.

The mission of the South Arm ORV Club is to educate and promote a safe and family fun environment for the sport of ORV’s through club activities and public education of ORV laws pursuant to the State Of Michigan.

Meetings: 2nd Monday of the month, 7:00 PM at the East Jordan Sno-Mobilers Club House – Mt. Bliss Rd.

Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, organized in late 1990, is a grassroots, non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve the natural resources and protect the environmental quality of the Jordan River and its watershed.

Our goals include: Preserving the natural character of the river and watershed; Informing and educating the public about our activities and issues involving the Jordan River Watershed; Protecting water quality; Promoting wise resource management on public and private lands within the watershed; Facilitating the coordination of policies and actions of various individuals, groups, and agencies affecting the environment within the watershed; Developing financial resources to carry out our mission and goals; and Pursuing broad-based support for our activities.

Over the years, FOJ has hosted numerous public information seminars and activities and continues to network with many groups and organizations as well as mentoring students on water quality and natural resource issues. We steadfastly remain an advocate for the wild and scenic Jordan River and its watershed, seek ways to remediate abuses of the past and strive to balance sustainable use for the future.

FOJ needs and welcomes the support and participation of all those who value the pristine natural wonders freely found within the Jordan River Watershed. For more information, or to become a member, please visit our website or contact Ashley Cousens, our Program Director.

The Jordan Valley Fiddlers Jamboree, Inc. is a Michigan nonprofit, consisting of 3-12 members located in Northern Michigan, whose mission is: “To promote, maintain and pass down traditions of old time fiddle music and dancing.” Currently, this is achieved by offering an annual jamboree and dance on the last Saturday in April with the proceeds, after expenses, distributed to applicants interested in pursuing some course of study related to the playing old time fiddle music, dance calling or old time dance. The organization raises money by selling ads in its annual program, taking donations at the door the day of the event and offering food and other items the day of the event.

Promoting the teaching of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and providing a healthful recreational program in a Christian atmosphere.

Preserving our Jordan One River Bag at a Time. Provide trash collection and returnable totes at access sites on the Jordan River.

The Sweaty Yeti 5K Family Fun Run benefits the Barber-Galvin Memorial Scholarship Fund