The last week of June

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 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.

Visit the Freedom Festival website for a full schedule of events and times. http://www.eastjordanfreedomfestival.org.

Jordan Valley Glassworks is a working art studio offering a range of glass items starting with delicate jewelry items, and goes all the way to large wall hangings. In between are free form sculptures and vases, stained and blown glass chandeliers, seasonal stained glass wall hangings and blown ornaments, one-of-a-kind paperweights with outstanding examples of torch work, lawn ornaments, custom stained glass chandeliers in both stained and blown glass; lamp shades; and in the more mundane artifacts are hand mirrors, baskets, and jewel/trinket boxes, and more. We can also take the cremation remains of loved ones or pets and encase them in glass so you can have them forever in a very special place.

You are invited to stop by Jordan Valley Glassworks to watch the artists work blowing glass. The gallery is open seven days a week. Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM. Items in the gallery are available for sale.

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.”

This three generation family dream nestled in the heart of beautiful northern Michigan is a must-stop destination. Grab fresh farm-to-table style breakfast or lunch from our Cafe, a handmade treat from our Bakery, or choose from a wide variety of locally-made foods and goodies that make great snacks! Sit inside, on our back porch, or at our outdoor picnic tables while the kids play on the playground and visit our friendly goats. Don’t forget to check out our house-made specialty foods in our Marketplace and our ever-changing, unique gift and souvenir selection in our General Store. We welcome you to eat, shop, and play – the Friske way! Not Your Average Fruit Stand – Since 1962.

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

The Ellsworth Pig Roast. Great food, fun and fireworks. The Ellsworth Pig Roast has a full schedule of events for everyone of all ages.

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.

Otis Pottery 01691 M-66 N East Jordan, MI 49727 HOURS Sunday noon-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Winter hours vary. Please call (231) 536-7856 before your visit to make sure we will be open.)

Classical Portraits for
Sophisticated Tastes

Northern Michigan’s premiere portrait studio, home of
professional portrait artist, Karen Walker
With the distinction of being an International award winning artist and the
area’s only Certified Master Photographer and Master Artist, Karen Walker Studio
has been serving Northern Michigan and beyond since 1992.

Call 231-536-3663 today for your personal appointment.

Pride and Joy….
What makes you proud? Your family? Your achievements? The milestones you’ve
reached?
What brings you joy? Your children? The precious moments in your life?
Honor those moments with a beautiful commissioned portrait.

Two Distinct Styles From one of the most award winning
studios in Michigan.

Your family deserves a professional portrait artist with
the knowledge and experience to create a top quality portrait that you will
enjoy for years to come. With twenty years in the photography business, Karen
knows how to create that special keepsake that will be treasured today and for
future generations. Karen offers two styles of portraits; classical photography
and portraits that are digitally enhanced and hand painted.

Located in the Walker Building at 507 Water Street (M-66),
just east of the traffic light at the intersection of M-66 and M-32. Hours are
by appointment. Please call 231-536-3663.

Raven Hill Discovery Center is a regional science and technology center. It is located on 157 acres in a rural area of northwestern Lower Michigan next to the Little Traverse Conservancy’s Raven Ridge Nature Preserve. It is also a cultural, historical and art center. Raven Hill Discovery Center is the only place in northern Lower Michigan where children and adults can link science, history & the arts with hands-on activities and explorations both indoors and outdoors. Connections emerge through classes, exhibits and facilities that provide opportunities for all ages to learn, create, grow and play. The Center is located between East Jordan & Boyne City, just off C-48 at Pearsall Road. Can’t make it during regular hours? Call to schedule an appointment at your convenience. For more information, phone 231-536-3369 or toll free 877-833-4254 or email info@ravenhilldiscoverycenter.org. You can also check the Center’s website: http://www.RavenHillDiscoveryCenter.org for more information.

R3 is set in beautiful East Jordan, Michigan, where river lake and friendly people meet.

R3 Adventure Triathlon – Ride, Run, River Race. Tri the River! Visit our website to find out more about the race.

Sponsored by the East Jordan Garden Club, this long running Farmer’s Market is an important part of the East Jordan Community. Held every Thursday from 8:00 AM – Noon at the East Jordan Sportsman’s Park. Vendors of all kinds gather with their baked good, fresh picked fruits and veggies, crafts, honey, pure maple syrup and much more.

The Miss East Jordan Pageant is held each spring at the East Jordan Community Auditorium. Everyone is welcome to attend and cheer on the contestants.

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.

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 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.

Straddle Books produces childrens’ books featuring true animal stories with happy endings. Books are available at Jordan River Arts Council and Stonehedge Gardens between East Jordan and Ironton.

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

A working studio & warehouse for turning good junk into great decor. Discover everything from salvage finds to finished, repurposed, one-of-a-kind items to inspire your cottage, vintage or industrial style. Custom design, build and finishing services available. DIY workshops offered for individuals or small groups.

Open all year.

Paddle Antrim is a 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROTECT OUR WATER RESOURCES BY USING PADDLE SPORTS TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO OUR WATERWAYS.

THE PADDLE ANTRIM FESTIVAL is set for September 15 & 16, 2017. Please visit the EVENTS CALENDAR for more information!