Downtown Development Authority Events

Summer Planting Day

Summer Planting Day is Downtown Jackson's largest volunteer effort! This year, Saturday, May 22th at 9am, will mark the eleventh year this project has asked local community members to adopt a downtown planter. Each planter is adopted by a community group, business, family or individual, and the result is a beautiful, blooming downtown for the spring and summer seasons. Volunteers are asked to plant flowers, while the City's Forestry Department handles the flower care and watering throughout the whole season. Interested adopters can submit an application by contacting our office. Planter adoption is free and each adopter will receive complimentary refreshments and a plaque to mark the planter as their own. Planters are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. To obtain a planter adoption form, contact the DDA at 517-768-6410. Deadline for adoption is Friday, April 16th.
 
Cruise In
 
Cruise Ins have become a very popular and anticipated event in Jackson, attracting hundreds of classic cars, antiques, street rods, and more, to the Downtown streets. Live entertainment, photo booth, radio broadcasts, and a vendor area with food and merchandise will also fill the Downtown. A "Best in Show" winner will be chosen at each Cruise In and all cruisers can enter to win DDA Gift Certificates. Look for the Manufacturers' War jugs, and vote for your favorite! In addition to the cars and entertainment on the street, many Downtown restaurants feature entertainment while merchants offer sales and specials in their stores. Street closings, directing the cruisers to the appropriate parking spots, can be found in the column on the left side of this page.

Friday May 28th - 6 pm
Friday June 25th - 6 pm
Friday July 23rd - 6 pm
Friday August 27th - 6 pm
Saturday September 25th - 1pm
 
Discover Downtown Again and Property Open House
 
Discover Downtown Again "DDA" Day is focused on featuring all the unique shops & destinations offered in the Downtown through demonstrations, live music, historic tours, fun for the kids, raffles and contests, special sales, and for the first time ever a Downtown Building "Open House" where available properties will be open to tour and check out. DDA Day is a chance to find out what you have been missing in Downtown Jackson and now is also a chance for entrepreneurs to see the many opportunities in Downtown Jackson. DDA Day and the Downtown Property Open House take place on June 5th from 11am-2pm and will feature approximately 40 downtown businesses and 20 downtown buildings. All buildings will be open for tours while agents, brokers, or representatives will be on hand to answer any specific questions regarding the properties. People are encouraged to drop in at any location. Those wishing to participate in a guided tour are encouraged to come to Bucky Harris Park at noon as Jonathan Greene, Executive Director of the DDA will lead interested guests around to participating properties.
 
K105.3's Summer Idol, Downtown Jackson
This event has been moved to the Crazy Cowboy @ 215 S. Mechanic St. 
June will feature a new event to the DDA; K105.3's 'Summer Idols... Summer Not!' karaoke competition. Bring your coolers and throw away your pride for your chance to get on the stage of the Riverwalk Amphitheater at the Consumers Energy campus, to sing your heart out. Sign up to participate on site at 6 pm, and performances will begin at 7 pm on the night of the event, Wednesday, June 23rd. We look forward to hearing what Jackson has to offer right in the heart of Downtown!
 
Picnic in the Park Lunchtime Concert Series
 
Come downtown every Tuesday in July and August from 12-1 pm to take a break with local musicians who will entertain with tunes to relax to, dance to and eat to! Bring your blanket and lunch and join local musicians in Bucky Harris Park, on the corner of Jackson Street Michigan Aveneue. This is a great opportunity and convenient location to take a moment away from your office and meet us for a Picnic in the Park.

July 6th - Noon to 1pm: Rob Vischer
July 13th - Noon to 1pm: TC & The Roadmasters
July 20th - Noon to 1pm: Iron Cowgirl Missy
July 27 - Noon to 1pm: Steve Tucker

August 3rd - Noon to 1pm: Brandon Marceal
August 10th - Noon to 1pm: Tom Timlin
August 17th - Noon to 1pm: Tim Farrell
August 24th - Noon to 1pm: Uncle Carl's Dulcimer Club
August 31st - Noon 1pm: Steve Berkemeier
 
Jammin' in Jackson
 
Jammin' in Jackson is a FREE event, which takes place in the heart of Downtown Jackson on Michigan Ave and Jackson St in Bucky Harris Park at 5-8 pm on select Thursdays throughout the summer. Stroll in after work, ride your bike, or bring your family and enjoy free, live, local entertainment! Bring a picnic from one of the eateries, or grab a snack from a vendor. Mark your calendar for the rest of the season with the following Thursday performances:

Thursday June 10th - 5 to 8 pm: Act III Band
Thursday June 24th - 5 to 8 pm: Brandon Marceal / Gel Caps
Thursday July 8th - 5 to 8 pm: Air Tight
Thursday July 22nd - 5 to 8 pm: Big Foot Bob
Thursday August 5th - 5 to 8 pm: JSO String Quartet
Thursday August 26th - 5 to 8 pm: Frog & the Beeftones
 
Scarecrow Row
Halloween week
 
Fall DDA Day
TBD in conjunction with Christmas Parade
 
Eve on the Ave
Friday December 31st

Holding Events Downtown

The City of Jackson is fortunate to have many varied and beautiful parks and friendly streets and neighborhoods, all of which provide wonderful venues at which to hold Special Events such as parades, fitness walks/runs, etc.  The City Clerk's Office makes every possible effort to assist event organizers in receiving assistance from City departments and approval from the City Council.
 
The City of Jackson Event Policy and Application was created to promote a uniform procedure in receiving permission to hold Special Events at locations under the jurisdiction of the City of Jackson. For more information or questions regarding the application or the process, please contact aarnold@cityofjackson.org or call the City Clerk's Office at 788-4025.