Bar Hop Fundraiser in Downtown Sparta!

(It’s not a race to the finish, its a race to raise money for Cancer Research!)   

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Pink Dress Surpasses Expectations

By Kelly DeWindt

If you passed through Sparta on Saturday May 28, 2011, you may have had done a double-take.  Yes, that was a man with over 600 friends in Pink outfits and dresses!   Friends and family laced up their walking shoes and put on their Pink dresses for the third year to raise money to benefit the American Cancer Society.  The cooler weather did not distract the pink dressers from their mission, have fun and raise money for cancer research.  

The one day event grossed over $17000.00!  Three teams, Sparta Lanes, Eagles Club and Downtown Trini’s and Margarita Joe’s,  battled it out in fundraising to take home the traveling trophy for the year.    When the dust settled the trophy found its home at Downtown Trini’s and Margarita Joe’s.  Organizers are excited for the event next year and have already started planning efforts.  More info can be found at www.facebook.com/pinkdressrun. 

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Here is what happened for the 2011 event!

Teams are already forming in Sparta to compete in raising money for the American Cancer Society.  The PINK DRESS part of the event is to raise awareness of all the loved ones, family members, and friends that we have lost to all types of cancer. Let’s work together to raise money for cancer research.

Participants are divided based on their hosting bar/restaurant and then travel to each of the 4 locations trying to raise more money as a team then the competing teams through fundraising activities. On this journey our teams will also help support the Relay for Life efforts through drink and food sales, as a portion of the profits will be donated.   

Steps for a successful Pink Dress Run:

1. Purchase your Pink Dress Run Ticket for only $15 each & pick up your free - at Independent Bank in Sparta (T Shirts must be picked up by May 15 for size preference)! 

2. Invite friends or family to join your team and purchase a ticket!  (Must have valid photo ID to purchase alcoholic beverages).   

3. Find a PINK DRESS (men and women, both!!) that you look good in!   

4.  Show up on Saturday, May 28 to register at 11:30am at your starting location (located on your ticket). Bring lots of $1 bills for FUNdraising, drink and food specials. The team with the most raised $$ at the end of the crawl is the Pink Dress Run Champ! 

 Sparta Pub

Sparta Lanes

North Kent Eagles Club

Downtown Trini’s

Thank you to the Event Sponsors! 

 Event Sponsors

Rogue River Community Credit Union 

Northern Physical Therapy

Ottawa Kent Insurance

Truck Repair Service

Ticket Sponsors:

This event would not be possible without these sponsors.  Through their donations, sponsorships, and in kind gifts from these sponsors.  Please take a moment to thank them for their giving to this event.  

Click here:

Sparta Town & Country Days

July 15 – 18, 2010

www.spartafair.com

2010 Theme

[googleMap name="Sparta, Michigan" description="Downtown Sparta just 10 miles north of Grand Rapids. " width="350" height="250"]75 N Union Sparta, MI 49345[/googleMap]

Dinner, Drinks, & Dancing!  Tickets $20 per person (includes dinner) 

Ages 21 + only, please.

Saturday, February 13 2010

Doors Open 7 pm

Dinner Served 7:30 pm

Sparta Civic Center

75 N. Union, Sparta, MI 49345

Tickets can be purchased at:

Independent Bank of Sparta  887-8277

 Majestic Services  887-3320

 Kent Equipment  678-5368

Form a Four-Some!

 All golfers are welcome to join a team, click here for the registration form. 

Network your business with other local busiensses! 

Choose to be a sponsor of a “Hole” and bring your business representatives out to the green giving away coupons, gift certificates, and prizes!  Click here to contact Dr. Jason Detweiler  from DC Chiropractic or Chris Nadeau from Majestic Landscapes to find out more information about getting your business involved or signing up for golf!

Moss Ridge Golf Course

13545 Apple Ave
Ravenna, MI 49451
(231) 853-5665  

View of Hole 9 on Moss Ridge Golf Course.

He will describe the current status of Marquette Rail, its future plans, and answer any questions you may have.  Marquette Rail operates the tracks that travel through Sparta crossing Division next to Elm Street where one can see and hear trains passing through multiple times per day.  The tracks connect from South of Grand Rapids, up to Ludington and Manistee area.

Photos of the Sparta Railroad Site: click HERE.

Coming from a railroading family, Kevin started his career with the Katy Railroad.  After serving a stint as a leader and venture capitalist to middle-market companies, he returned to the railroad industry as a consultant on over 85 short-line transactions over a 20-year span, while also advising in the development of high-performance employee-owned companies.

He has a BBA in Economics from Sam Houston State University and an MBA from the Univeristy of Dallas.

Kevin is involved in leadership roles in both the employee ownership and short line rail road communities.  He started the tradition of the Santa Train through communities which brings Santa Claus into Sparta each year.

This program is hosted by the West Michigan Railway Historical Society, a chapter of the NRHS.

The 2010 Harvest on the Ridge BBQ Contest held in downtown Sparta is an attraction for locals and visitors alike to experience the sights and delicious smells of a semi-professional BBQ Contest!  The Sparta Smokin’ BBQ Contest is a State Sanctioned Championship Barbecue Location for the State of Michigan on Friday & Saturday, September 24 & 25, 2010 in Balyeat Field in downtown Sparta.  In addition to this mouth watering event, downtown Sparta will be the host of the Art in the Park Show, live music and entertainment, kids games, and more! The Sparta Smokin’ Barbecue Cook-Off is coordinated by the Harvest on the Ridge volunteer Roger Gren.

Click below for complete event information.  Can’t find something you need?  Contact Roger Gren at 616-263-6063.

Official 2010  BBQ Entry Form 

2010 Judge Request Form

Kids Cook-off Registration (Postponed for 2010)

Kansas City Barbecue Rules & Regulations

Food Vendor Application Form (already filled for 2010)

Please check out the Event Sponsors!  The Sparta Sizzlin’ BBQ Contest couldn’t happen without their support!

Event Sponsor’s Info (coming soon!) 

Would you like to be part of an event that will draw from around the Midwest?  Click here for the Sponsor Registration Form. 

Kansas City BBQ Society WEbsite: www.kcbs.us

Click HERE for the 2010 Event Details!

The Regional Arts Guild in Sparta welcomes your participation in the  annual Art in Sparta during the new Harvest on the Ridge Festival.

Our show will be held from 9am-5pm in Rogers Park on Saturday, September 25^th. A circular drive throughout the park encourages easy set-ups and teardowns.

Trash and clean restroom facilities will be available.

2010 Art in Sparta Poster Application

2010 Art in Sparta Vendor Booth Application

Questions for Art in Sparta please contact Toni Payne at Creative One Gallery at (616) 887-2190.

Art in Sparta is sponsored by www.creativeonegallery.com.

(616) 887-2190

The Sparta Farmers Market is Wednesday evenings from 5:00 – Dusk beginning July 7 through October 20, 2010.  The Market will be set up at ChoiceOne Bank Parking Lot in downtown, Sparta!  (72 N. Union, MI 49345) 

Upcoming Special Events:

 Wed. Sept. 8th  – Mini Horses Onsite!

Wed. Sept. 22nd – Alpacas!

Wed. Oct. 2nd  – Kids Safety Night!

Market Vendor Registration (PDF)

  Who will benefit from the Market?

1. Local growers who participate with fresh foods

 2. Downtown businesses through promotion of the downtown as a designation with the market and through traffic created by the market that would otherwise not have visited the downtown

 3.The community residents and visitors who purchase and consume local foods

  Why is this market being created?

  1. To create a viable market for growers that will help protect local  farmland from future development 

2. To put more fresh local food in the mouths of Michigan people

 3. To enhance the experience of downtown Sparta

  Don’t miss out on finding fresh, locally grown foods in dowtnown Sparta during the concerts in the Park with live musical entertainment in Rogers Park right next to the Farmers Market!

*** Special Addition to Concert Schedule: Cultural Night *** A TRIP TO BELGIUM

Monday, July 19th, 2010 @ 7 pm in Rogers Park!  Click HERE for more information! 

2010 Concert in Rogers Park Sponsorship Form (PDF)

2010 Printable Concert Schedule (PDF)

2010 Concert Line Up 

Interested in playing at our free Concerts in the Park?

Please contact the Sparta Chamber of Commerce to find out how to play for the community!

Be sure to thank our sponsors who put on such a successful Concert in the Park series!  Without the assistance of these local businesses and organizations, groups such as the Sparta 4-H, Sparta Chamber, and others would not have the chance to provide fundraisers.  Each week, be sure to check out the Community Intermission, where a local arts Chamber Member business or organization will perform and entertain the crowd.   Included is Dance with me by Amber Marie dance students, Sparta Community Theatre performing pieces of 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, and Lil’ Learners fine arts performances including instrumentals and fencing displays. 

Special thank you to the Sparta Civic Center for allowing the Sparta Concerts in the Park to reserve the restrooms for each week!  Much better than porty-jons! 

2008 Concerts in the Park Schedule