Many of the suburbs, villages, and small communities in West Michigan have their own special festivals and events, in addition to the large, well-known events in the larger cites such as Grand Rapids and Holland. One of the longer running and more popular events is hosted by the village of Sparta, which is located to the north of Grand Rapids. Called Town and Country Days, this celebration of local farmers and culture starts this afternoon, July 15th, and runs through Sunday, July 19th. If you're looking for some family-friendly diversion this week or weekend or the chance to discover more about one of West Michigan's quaintest farming towns, this is a great opportunity.
The festivities kick off tonight with a Scouts Honor Kids Carnivale, hosted by the local troop #704. There are many different games available to play, for $1 per 5 tickets (and one ticket per game) in Rogers Park. Across the street, the carnival rides will open at 5pm as well, with discount ride armbands available for $17. There will also be horse drawn carriage tours, which are $5 per rider (and kids under 3 ride free). The weekly concert in the park will start at 6:30 in Rogers Park, and there will also be a free watermelon social.
On Thursday, the Howard Christensen Nature Center will host Junior Naturalist Day, featuring free fun such as hiking, hands-on activities, and animals from 9 am to 4 pm. In Sparta proper, the local bowling alley, Sparta Lanes, will be hosting the Kids Bop 'n Bowl. Kids 17 and under get to bowl two free games with free shoe rental. Adult games are $1 each. The Railroad Depot at 400 N. Union in Sparta will be holding an open house, allowing visitors to tour the Depot, which is over a century old, as well as a caboose and rail cars.
The street festival will also kick into high gear, starting at 5 pm. There will be a children's chalk art event; free chalk will be provided. There will also be performances by the groups involved in Sparta's Celtic festival, including dancing and music and a free spray-on Celtic knot apple tattoo. There will be live music on the main stage and 3 on 3 basketball competition. There will also be the Art in Sparta Competition and Exhibit, hosted at the Sparta Library and a hot air balloon launch at Balyeat Field at 7:30 pm.
Friday, July 17th, is kids day. In addition to the carnival, there will be a Kids Parade at 11 am, a petting zoo from 11 am to 4 pm, pony rides, a play zone, and a rock climbing wall, as well as a KIDSGROOVE dance party, and a pedal tractor pull in the evening. For the adults, there will be a beer tent, which opens at 4 pm, a kickball tournament, and a bale toss competition.
Saturday will feature a pancake breakfast at the Sparta Civic Center, a softball tournament, a 5K race Superhero style and children's fun run, a craft show, a beef cattle show, the primary parade at noon, a goat show, a tractor pull, a talent show, and an arm wrestling competition. The day culminates in a pyrotechnics and fireworks show, beginning at 10:15 at Balyeat Field.
Sunday, which is the last day of the festival, features a Chorale Concert and a Community Potluck. There is something for everyone, so pack up the car and head on down to Sparta for what promises to be a fun-filled weekend!