Harvest on the Ridge Apple Festival is a celebration of the bounty and variety of products that are available fresh from the fields, orchards, and businesses in this great state that we call home!  Join the Harvest on the Ridge Tours on Saturday, September 17, 2011 and have a real experience of  farming “The Ridge” in Apple Country!

Michigan is second only to California for the US states in diversity of its agriculture.  Michigan is a leading grower of fruit in the US including blueberries, cherries, apples, grapes, and peaches.  On September 17, visit downtown Sparta and these great places on “The Ridge” to kick off the Harvest season with your family and celebrate the best of what our area has to offer! The Sparta Harvest on the Ridge Apple Festival offers something for everyone including music, kids activities, family activities, 5K walk/run, sidewalk sales, Michigan Beer & Wine tasting, arts & crafts show, Antique Tractor Show, William Tell Archery Competition, and more!

Details about each market below! 

Riveridge Packing Shed  10:30 am

7777 Venture Ave Nw, Sparta – South of Sparta on M-37 & 9 Mile

See the new technology of Apple Packaging with a packing line that completely manages the quality of each apple as it cleans, sanitizes, weighs, checks the apple for color,  defects, and even individual sweetness levels! The expanded facility ships all over the world. Free half hour tour through the packing shed.  www.riveridgeproduce.com

Schwallier’s Country Basket 11:30 am & 2 pm

1185 9 Mile Rd. NW Sparta, MI 49345

Tour a family owned business dating back to 1989 and can be found in the heart of the apple capital, “Peach Ridge” of Sparta, Michigan.  Fall activities  include pick your own Apples, slide, cow train rides, wagon ride, shelled corn play area and more.   www.schwalliers.com

Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market 8-5 pm

3025 6 Mile Road, Grand Rapids, MI

Experience picking your own apples at the U Pick Gala’s, Honey Crisp & more at this family farm since 1925!  Check out the interactive “Trivia” 5 acre Corn maze featuring questions about sports, entertainment, history & more!  Test your trivia knowledge to make the correct turn in the maze! $6.00 for adults & 12 & under $5.00; Family Four Pass for $20.00.  

www.dunnebackfarm.com

Jacobsen’s Greenhouse   4 pm

271 North State Street, Sparta, MI 49345

Tour the 8,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse and learn about the roof vent system & landscaping tips to prepare your gardens for the winter.  See the mums in production for Fall and learn pruning tips on mums in your yard.  Hundreds of poinsettia’s will be on display in a just “pinched” stage, see what they look like prior to display in a store.  Question and answers after the free tour.  www.jacobsensfloral.com

Fruit Ridge Hay Rides

Open from 12-9 pm for family fun down on the farm.  Featured activities include horse drawn hayrides through the woods and orchard, pony rides, donuts, cider and our  ‘Down on the Farm’ corn maze adventure, with 3 interactive games and a maze look-out bridge…fun for all ages.  www.fruitridgehayrides.com

 “Wanted,”Sparta Rugby coach, football coach and community leader, Greg Peak, announced at a recent Concert in the Park as a 1960’s era green couch rolled around the bandshell, “Old Runners.  Fast Couches.”  The crowd giggled and cheered as they looked on to see Rotary President Tom Dupont lying on the couch being pushed around on wheels and four team mates.  The J. Couch Race, Peak commented, is a unique and fun family fundraiser for the Lymphoma Society and local families affected by Lymphoma.  The race is scheduled as part of the Harvest on the Ridge Festival on September 17.  “The J. Couch Race will delight spectators with fast, funny, & uniquely created couches— all on wheels— as their five person teams race downtown Sparta on North Union Street,” Greg added to the crowd.

Peak was inspired by a friend, John Couch, who was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma to start a fundraiser for the Lymphoma Society.  The event came to a surprise to John.  “I had no idea what he was doing”, Couch said.  “One day, Greg called me up and asked, ‘Hey, can I use your name?’.  Greg is a pretty trustworthy guy, so my immediate response was ‘sure’.”  At that point Peak started explaining to Couch the details and inspiration behind for the J. Couch Race in honor of John Couch himself.  “He was talking 100 miles a minute and finally I simply said, ‘Greg, go ahead, I trust you.” 

With the go-ahead, Peak began pulling other community leaders and building excitement.  What started as a brainstorm by Greg Peak has turned into an event the community is rallying around.  Teams are already signing up to build their couches and talking about their creative costumes they are going to create for the 150 yard race.  Fundraising will include donations and support from businesses and families in addition to the crowd participants purchasing a vote for the People’s Choice and Best Decorated couches.  A traveling Trophy will be awarded to the “fastest” Couch Team.  Registration forms are located at www.spartachamber.com. 

Twelve apple sculptures will be auctioned off online with all raised money proceeds going to fund the 2012 Art Project in downtown Sparta. During the online auction dates, the art sculptures will be on display at The DeVos Place in Grand Rapids during the Great Lakes Expo December 6-8, 2011. Items will be ready for payment by check or cash and for pick up on Friday, December 9 at Sparta Village Hall in downtown Sparta.

The Great Lakes Expo & The Ridge

During the online auction dates, the art sculptures will be on display at The DeVos Place in Grand Rapids during the Great Lakes Expo December 6-8, 2011.  The Great Lakes Expo is a premier show for fruit and vegetable growers and anyone involved or interested in the agricultural and horticulture industry, commonly referred by the locals as the “Hort” show.  Over 4,000 people from 41 States and Canada annually attend the Expo.  The Expo is also where they hold the Michigan Apple Queen Pageant every year.

The Art pieces will be on display throughout the Great Lakes Expo for interested parties to view the talent of local artists and to showcase Sparta as the gateway to “The Ridge”, a top agricultural producing area located West of Sparta.  Approximately 8 miles wide by 20 miles long, the Fruit Ridge is regarded as one of the prime fruit-growing regions in the world.  Elevations greater than 800 feet and its location (about 25 miles from Lake Michigan), creates a unique climate (ideal growing and moderate winters) for fruit production. The Ridge supplies 60% of the states (Michigan) apples. An estimated 66% of the Ridge lies in Kent County, all within 20 miles of downtown Grand Rapids.

Anyone who has tasted a fresh picked Michigan Apple from the Ridge or visited a local Farmers Market can attest to the bounty of agriculture on “The Ridge”.   The art sculptures are a perfect display of the impact the agricultural region has on our community!

 Printable (PDF) of Auction Details Here

 Downtown Sparta Blueprint 2009 (PDF)

The Blueprint Plan includes input and collaboration from:

Community Organization Leaders

Downtown Business Owners

Retail Trade Area Surveys

Customer Focus Groups

Employee Focus Groups

Sparta Downtown Development Authority

Sparta Chamber of Commerce

Village Council Members

Sparta Township Representatives

Sparta Residents

Community Meeting Attendees

Market Analysis

Lets work together to implement the 5 year action plan and make Downtown Sparta truly “What a Neighborhood Should Be”.

The Downtown Development Authority, Chamber of COmmerce, Village of Sparta is currently in the process of adopting the plan into the Master Plan and as the Guide for Downtown Development.

Downtown Sparta Construction Clip by www.positivelymichigan.net

Downtown Business Coupons: Detour to Downtown Sparta!

Visit the Downtown Businesses to great Construction Sales & Specials!  Click Detour Ads to find the savings!

June 6: Downtown Sparta Customer Appreciation Event!

Downtown Sparta is feeling the excitement of progress in the 2009 Streetscape construction that is currently underway.  Throughout all the street detours, large dirt piles, and loud equipment, the downtown businesses are all grateful for the loyal customers that continue to visit their shops everyday.  Even with all the inconveniences of the construction, the business owners are excited to see the changes happening everyday in Downtown Sparta.  To show their appreciation to their customers, downtown Sparta businesses are hosting a Downtown Sparta Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 6 from 10 am to Noon.  Businesses will be handing out coupons, free food and games, and chances to win prizes! 

Between now and June 6, visit local downtown businesses as part of the Detour to Downtown Sparta Shines 2009 Event! 

 Thank you for continuing to support Downtown Sparta businesses during the major construction project.  Local businesses stimulate our local economy, provide local employment, and support local service organizations.  Next time you are shopping, remember to Shop Local, Shop Sparta!

Be a Sparta Spy… Ask your Merchant’s Why!

 Your Mission, should you choose to accept: become a Sparta Spy.  Visit a downtown Sparta merchant and pick up a Decoding Device.  Within the device there are puzzles to solve. Once solved, you will visit the Merchant Location that the answer directs you. Once you’re through the doors of the Merchant Location, ask for the “Stamp Keeper”.  They will acknowledge the completion of your mission.  You must have your Decoding Device with you so they can verify the completion of your Mission.  Continue this through the month of May until all Codes are solved and verified.  To certify you are officially a Sparta Spy, take your Decoding Device and trade it in for a drawing ticket at Sparta Township Carnegie Library or to Sparta Village Hall. 

 Tickets will be drawn on Saturday, June 6 for prizes during the Downtown Sparta Customer Appreciation Event.  The Sparta Spy Mission is to encourage the community to visit the downtown businesses during the construction, see the progress, and celebrate downtown Sparta! 

BE A SPARTA STREETSCAPE SPY Booklet! ! (Legal Size Paper fits best)

Photos of Downtown Sparta Construction:

Dollar N More keeping a positive attitude by participating with the project

Downtown Sparta Crosswalks poured at Union & Division

The process of building pedestrian friendly crosswalks

Downtown Sparta Businesses Staying Positive during Construction!

 Through the orange barrels, closed sidewalks, and LARGE piles of gravel, the Downtown Sparta Businesses can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and are keeping a positive attitude through it all. Dollar N More owner Phil Potter uses the construction project to show that a big pile of dirt isn’t holding their business back. Instead, Dollar N More is taking the opportunity to showcase his products and his good humor about the project. People are stopping by the store to see what the display means and to congratulate him on the creativity and positive attitude about the project. The sign that says, “New Downtown Landscaping Courtesy of Dollar N More…Located behind this pile of dirt!” refers to the colorful flags, flowers, and wind chimes artfully placed on the large pile of dirt. Construction can be difficult on businesses as customers may find alternate locations to shop during the construction or simply avoid the area all together. Downtown Sparta Businesses are working together to let their customers know they appreciate their continued business during the construction season and appreciate their support. “We’re all in it together”, is the attitude of these businesses who are excited for the end result of the project, expected in early July. Take a moment to visit downtown Sparta to see the construction equipment and progress of the project.  

Other Media Releases:

Sparta Streetscape Awarded Federal Grant

Sprucing Up Sparta

Shaping up Downtown Sparta

Business Information:

Sparta Streetscape Tool Kit 2009 (condensed) for local businesses to understand the construction timeline

Thanks to a matching federal Transportation Enhancement Grant administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Downtown Sparta will begin a Streetscape Project in April. This project is an initiative of the Downtown Development Authority in partnership with the Village of Sparta. Sparta is one of only seven municipalities in Michigan to receive the grant in 2009. With $376,500 in Transportation Enhancement Grant funds, the improvements include pedestrian safety measures including brick crosswalks and lighting, benches, trees, shrubs, and landscaping in an effort to slow traffic down. Project limits are on Division Avenue from State Street to the Nash Creek Bridge and along N. Union. Additional funding is through Kent County, Sparta DDA, and the Village of Sparta.

For a few years, the DDA and Village have been budgeting funds in anticipation of this project, which means taxes will not be increased and special assessments will not happen for this project. The DDA captures a percentage of tax dollars from the taxing jurisdictions on specific DDA parcels as passed by State Legislation to work on development projects. The project is anticipated for competition in early July.

]]> http://spartachamber.com/coc/2009/02/27/sparta-streetscape-project-awarded-federal-grant/feed/ 0 http://spartachamber.com/coc/2009/02/26/terrific-news-for-a-local-business/ http://spartachamber.com/coc/2009/02/26/terrific-news-for-a-local-business/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:55:24 +0000 DDA http://spartachamber.com/coc/?p=403

All About Learning Project in a Classroom.

All About Learning Inc, partners with schools in over 30 states to provide academic enrichment programs focusing on science technology engineering and math. The focus on these specific areas is in part because US students have traditionally fallen behind students in other countries in these areas of study.

The award process started with 235 nominated companies, and several rounds of applying and company verifications, All About Learning Inc. was chosen as one of the “50 Companies to Watch” awardees in Michigan. The awards are abased on several different categories in businesses including management philosophies, unique business qualities, and innovations. The award is to recognize the vital role companies of this size play in the economy. The foundation behind the award, the Edward Lowe Foundation, champions the entrepreneurial spirit by working with entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.

How did Stackpole grow his business to achieve this award? Stackpole says the secret is that “We keep the business simple, and it helps the business grow. The success has come from learning how to spread our business across the country” though they remain headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, and website at www.michiganlearning.com. “We are honored to receive this award and will be attending a black tie affair and having dinner with the governor in April.” Looking forward to the future, Stackpole says, “we have continued interest in expanding our seemingly recession proof business. We are open to speaking with interested investors in the community.”