Milestones on Mainstreet: History of Sparta Township

For years Sparta graduate Kathryn Paasch had harbored the desire to write a book.  In 2010, while researching through the files and photos of Sparta’s history, the sister duo JoAnne VanderWerff and Jayne Paasch, Kathryn Paasch’s Aunt & Mother-in-Law who are actively involved in the Sparta Township Historical Commission, discussed how to “tell” the story [...]

Sparta Town & Country Days July 14 – 18, 2010

Please visit the official Sparta Town & Country Days Website to find out all the events, sponsors, and information for the week long fair! 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 [...]

Scarecrow Competition

Grab some straw, some old clothes, and join the Scarecrow Competition in downtown Sparta during the Harvest on the Ridge event September 24 through September 28, 2009.  Click HERE to look at the guidelines and registration information to take part in the competition this year!  Scarecrows will be displayed in Downtown Sparta from Thursday, September [...]

Golfing with the Chamber

15th Annual Golf Outing on Thursday, August 20, 2009.      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 [...]

Sparta Depot to Host Railroad Presentation

Kevin Ruble, President and CEO of Marquette Rail will present the May 21st program at 7:30 at the Sparta Historic Depot (located the at the North end of Union Street, Sparta, MI 49345). He will describe the current status of Marquette Rail, its future plans, and answer any questions you may have.  Marquette Rail operates the [...]

Downtown Sparta Blueprint 2009

In August of 2008, Downtown Sparta won a Blueprints for Michigan’s Downtowns Cool Cities grant from the State of Michigan.  The nationally renowned firm of HyettPalma visited Downtown Sparta in March of 2009 and worked with the community to prepare a five year plan for our continued economic development.   Downtown Sparta Blueprint 2009 (PDF) The Blueprint Plan includes input and collaboration [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Great Treasure Hunt of ’69: April 2009

The Great Treasure Hunt of ’69  It’s a hot July morning in Sparta, 1969.  Armstrong and Aldrin have just landed on the moon.  But for the moment Bob Schwab is more interested in a station wagon pulling away from his dump, leaving an old couch behind.  To anybody else it looks like junk.  But to [...]

Harvest on the Ridge BBQ Contest

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 & [...]

Nature Center Kicks Off Spring Cleaning Season with E-Waste Day

The days are getting brighter causing both birds and humans to prepare their nests forspring! The Howard Christensen Nature Center and Comprenew will join forces on March 7 to offer a free, convenient, environmentally safe way to dispose of office and household electronic waste. As you begin your spring-cleaning, remember that most electronic products contain [...]

Sparta Streetscape Project Awarded Federal Grant

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 [...]

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