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Coleman resident Chris Wilson flicks his line at the Freeland Walleye Festival on April 24, 2021.

Guests enjoy cocktails, food and music in the Pendulum Lounge, which held a soft opening Wednesday, March 4, 2021 at Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Over 100 cyclists participate in the Howard's Friend Bike Ride, an annual event that honors beloved former Midland County Commissioner, the late Howard Schoenherr, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Averill. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Tickets for The SpongeBob Musical are on sale at midlandcenter.org. 

Chippewa Nature Center hosts Nature Play.

Midland Quilters Squared Quilt Show is set for April 29-May 1 at Midland Center for the Arts.

Shoppers peruse hundreds of used books during the American Association of University Women's (AAUW) Fall Used Book Sale Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at the Midland Mall. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

A crowd of people browse through vendors during opening day of the Midland Area Farmers Market, May 1, 2021.

A scene from the 2008 summer fly-in at Barstow Airport. A pancake breakfast fly-in is set for May 7. (Daily News file photo)

Editor’s note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net.

The Freeland Walleye Festival is set for April 28-May 1. Events and features include a beer tent, bingo, a carnival, fireworks, a parade, poker tournament, rummage sales, and a fishing tournament, among other activities. New this year are duck races and a youth corn hole tournament. For more information and a full schedule, visit www.freelandwalleyefestival.com/

Midland Quilter's Squared's quilt show, "My Happy Place," is set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. There will be door favors, a bazaar, and featured quilters, Judy Piper and Laura Greenfelder. Admission is $5. The quilt show will continue 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.

An art exhibition opening for Midland Artists Guild 38th Annual Juried Exhibition is set for 7 pm. at Creative 360. This exhibition features a diverse collection of the work of MAG members showcasing creative explorations in many mediums including; painting, sculpture, photography and fiber art. Awards will be announced during the opening reception. This event is free to the public. The exhibit will be on display through June 19. 

The Freeland Walleye Festival is set for April 28-May 1. Events and features include a beer tent, bingo, a carnival, fireworks, a parade, poker tournament, rummage sales, and a fishing tournament, among other activities. New this year are duck races and a youth corn hole tournament. For more information and a full schedule, visit www.freelandwalleyefestival.com/

Meet the Makers is set for 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Live Oak Coffeehouse. There will be 5-10 vendors every Saturday morning from December through April, picking right up when the Midland Area Farmers Market takes a break for the season. 

Walk MS: Midland is set for 9 a.m. at Midland High School. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m. The event benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Both 1- and 3-mile routes are available and volunteers are needed. Visit WalkMS.org and search for the Midland, Michigan Walk for more details.

A Home and Outdoor Living Expo is set for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Dow Diamond. During the event, which is hosted by Home Builders Association, guests can visit with exhibitors and explore all types of home projects. After strolling through the main concourse, visitors can check out local vendors on the suite level. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for veterans and kids under 18. Parking is free.

An Arts and Crafts Show is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Coleman VFW Hall.

Mastadons, Mammoths and Opossums, Oh My! An Ice Age Exploration is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Through hands-on activities, children will discover living and extinct Ice Age mammals that have called Michigan home. The group will explore the trails for clues to help us learn how mastodons, mammoths and opossums adapted to the harsh Ice Age environment. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Chili & Blues Concert Series featuring Brett Mitchell is set for 7 p.m. at Creative 360. Brett Mitchell was born and raised in Midland. Now living in Northern Michigan, he has established himself as an in-demand musician all over the state. With appealing original albums and a never-ending repertoire of beloved covers, this intimate solo show is sure to be an evening to remember. Cost is $18 pre-pay, $23 at the door. Audience members can bring their own beverage.

Howard's Friend Bike Ride is hosting an annual bicycle ride up to 60 miles to honor the wishes of Howard Schoenherr, known by many as “Putter.” Registration and Breakfast at 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Rides begin at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is after at the Clare Depot. Donated funds help support the Friends of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. For more information, visit howardsfriendbikeride.com. 

The Freeland Walleye Festival is set for April 28-May 1. Events and features include a beer tent, bingo, a carnival, fireworks, a parade, poker tournament, rummage sales, and a fishing tournament, among other activities. New this year are duck races and a youth corn hole tournament. For more information and a full schedule, visit www.freelandwalleyefestival.com/

A Home and Outdoor Living Expo is set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Dow Diamond. During the event, which is hosted by Home Builders Association, guests can visit with exhibitors and explore all types of home projects. After strolling through the main concourse, visitors can check out local vendors on the suite level. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for veterans and kids under 18. Parking is free.

Lamb of God Sing-Along is set for 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church. Guests are invited to come together to sing and play through the beautiful music of the oratorio Lamb of God. Accompanied by Collin Whitfield, orchestra members are welcome to join in with their instruments. Previous participation not required.

Blast from the Past is set to perform 6-8 p.m. at Greater Midland Community Center. Free dancing will take place the first Monday of the month through May 2021. For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270.

Nature Play is set for 10-11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Whether we’re making pies in the mud kitchen, pretending to be animals, lounging in hammocks or creating nature art, this hour of play is sure to engage everyone! Caregivers must remain with children during this program and are encouraged to actively play alongside the children in their care. This program will be facilitated by a CNC staff member. Please meet in The Woods Nature Play Area near Arbury Trail. This is a free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

An Introduction to Birding is set for 6-8 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join a CNC naturalist to learn birding basics such as binocular use and selection, tips on bird identification and using field guides. We’ll then venture out and practice our birding skills on CNC’s trails. Loaner binoculars will be available, or feel free to bring your own. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

What's in a Name? Flower Folklore is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. People have used plants for food, medicine, and enjoyment throughout history. Join CNC staff for a casual trail walk to discover the uses, names and other folklore of a variety of plants. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Saginaw Bay Watershed Celebration is set for 4-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Explore watershed games, activities and information presented by Little Forks Conservancy, Central Michigan University, Midland County Conservation District, Central Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, and Chippewa Nature Center. Local middle school students will share the results of their work from the H2OQ program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

The SpongeBob Musical is set for 7:30 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts' Little Theatre. Be among the first audiences outside of Broadway to see this hilarious musical spectacle! The stakes are higher than ever in this brand new dynamic musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Showtimes continue through May 13. Tickets are available online at midlandcenter.org or by calling the Ticket Office at 989-631-8250.

The AAUW Book Sale is set for 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at Midland Mall. Books are sorted into categories including suspense, romance, westerns, fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, collectibles and children’s books. Proceeds fund college scholarships and other educational activities. The book sale will continue 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, April 7 and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday.

A Spring Stroll is set for 5-8 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Enjoy the delicate fragrance of flowering trees and spring ephemerals, experience the sound of live music, and enjoy the scenery as over 22,000 bulbs of vibrant color approach full bloom. Picnics are encouraged and welcome. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Learn more at dowgardens.org/stroll

Cocktails & Canvas: Mother’s Day is set for 6-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. This is special Cocktails & Canvas event celebrating mothers. Everyone will paint their version of the painting Exuberance on a 16 x 20 canvas with step by step instructions. Bring a mom, come and paint this as a gift, or just bring yourself, everyone is welcome! Mothers will receive a beautiful flower and tasty treats. Preregistration is required. Cost is $35.

A Daddy Daughter Dance is set for 6-8 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church in Coleman. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. The event is open to girls of all ages and their father, grandfather or special man in their lives. Professional portraits will be taken by Jen Bovee from Forever Photography, LLC for $5 per downloadable image. Admission is $10 for a gentleman with two girls, $1 each for extra girl. 

The first day of the Midland Area Farmers Market is set for 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dow Diamond's east parking lot. Visit area vendors selling fresh goods and food. Entry is free and open to the public.

A Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In is set for 7-11 a.m. at Midland Jack Barstow Airport. Visitors can come and see aircraft on display from EAA Chapter 1093 while enjoying all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, eggs and homemade doughnuts. Kids will enjoy the pedal airplanes as well as activities at the Kid's Table. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for kids ages 3-12. Proceeds will go toward supporting EAA Chapter 1093 and its mission to share the spirit of aviation with the local community.

A Bird Walk is set for 8-10 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Learn to identify birds by using field marks, listening for songs and calls, watching flight patterns and using habitat clues. Birders of all experience levels are welcome. Loaner binoculars are available or bring your own. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

A Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature. The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Grove Park Clean-Up is set for 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Please join the Midland Noon Rotary Club to help beautify Grove Park in Midtown! Please bring gloves and rakes. Trash bags will be proved and refreshments will be served. Visit Midland Noon Rotary Club's Facebook page for more information.

Free Comic Book Day is set for 12-5 p.m. at Collector's Corner, 132 Ashman Circle in Midland. Be sure to check out ccornermi.com/collections/free-comic-book-day-2021 for a current list of titles that will be given away for free. Support the local community, and enjoy the comic industry at the same time.

A Spring Nature Walk is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring with a casual guided trail walk with CNC staff. We’ll use binoculars to look for migrating birds, discover wildflowers on the forest floor and visit the ponds to look and listen for calling frogs. This free event is presented in partnership with Midland Center for the Arts. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

A Pitch Hit Run is set for 1-3 p.m. at Dow Diamond. The competition will feature pitching to a strike zone, hitting from a stationary tee, and running for time. The event is free of charge and will consist of four age groups (7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14), with girls and boys competing separately. Pre-registration is required for this event. Register online at www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/phr. For questions or additional information, call the Parks and Recreation Office at 989-837-6930 or recreation@midland-mi.org

May the Music Be With You: Mental Health Awareness Music Festival is set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ryder's Bar and Grill. This event is a charity music festival raising awareness about mental health as well as suicide awareness and prevention. There will be live music, vendors, raffles, and more! This is a Star Wars-themed event; feel free to wear your best Jedi cosplay, costume or merch.

Nature Play is set for 10-11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Whether we’re making pies in the mud kitchen, pretending to be animals, lounging in hammocks or creating nature art, this hour of play is sure to engage everyone! Caregivers must remain with children during this program and are encouraged to actively play alongside the children in their care. This program will be facilitated by a CNC staff member. Please meet in The Woods Nature Play Area near Arbury Trail. This is a free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

A Wildflower Tour is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Celebrate the wildflowers of Dow Gardens with Horticulturists Chuck Martin and Trent Bowen. Learn about sun-loving wildflowers, beautiful meadow plants and wetland species in the rain gardens. Then, head into the forest to learn about shade-loving species. Learn more at dowgardens.org/events/wildflower

A Spring Wildflower Walk is set for 6-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Spring wildflowers bloom quickly on the forest floor before tree leaves open. Take a woodland walk with a CNC naturalist to find and identify these colorful beauties. Learn to recognize the diversity of shapes, patterns and unique pollination strategies. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

The city-wide garage sale begins for the spring season. The informal event will take place from May 12-15, with the goal of coordinating sales throughout the area so patrons can make a day or weekend of it. It has been a tradition for decades, spearheaded by the Midland Daily News, which sells advertisements for those hosting sales. For more information on how to prepare for hosting a sale in the city of Midland, visit ourmidland.com and search "citywide garage sales."

A Wee Stroll is set for 10-11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. This program is designed for parents to take a guided walk with their child, learn about the outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world around them. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

An open house is set for 1-4 p.m. at M-20 Animal Hospital's new location, 510 E. Isabella Road. After 45 years serving the community at its current location, the animal hospital is moving two miles down the road to a facility. The Humane Society of Midland County will run an adoption fair. There will also be food, face painting, balloon animals, tours of the new facility, and vendors discussing pet health.

An Evening of Tom Lehrer is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. David King, Carol Rumba and Jim Hohmeyer for an evening of satire, song and science. Tom Lehrer, the 1960’s era mathematician turned songwriter, is probably most famous for the “The Elements” sung to the tune of “The Major-Generals’ Song,” but he was also a prolific writer of original melodies and penned such topical, satiric gems as “New Math” and “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.” Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Audience members can bring their own beverage.

A Spring Bird Migration Bandathon is set for 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research. Join researcher Mike Bishop and CNC staff at the Lanigan pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

A Father Daughter Masquerade Ball is set for 6:30-9 p.m. at the Ashman Loft. Enjoy a magical evening with dancing, photos, selfie station, prizes, o'deuvres, drinks, treat station, raffle drawings, giving back, and each girl will create a beautiful keepsake necklace with their date to take home. Bring a new pair of socks size NB - adult large. All items collected will be gifted to the Adoption Option of Midland, supporting local foster children. Tickets are $25 per couple, $10 for each additional child. Reserve a spot by emailing LS bluemanitou19@gmail.com

A 50th Anniversary Celebration with the Midland Symphony Orchestra is set for 8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. During this very special evening featuring Tony-nominee Joshua Henry, the Center will commemorate the first MSO concert at the Center on May 1, 1971, and look forward to the Center's next 50 years in the community. Tickets start at $26.50 for adults, $5 for students and are available online at midlandcenter.org or by calling the Ticket Office at 989-631-8250.

A Spring Bird Migration Bandathon is set for 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research. Join researcher Mike Bishop and CNC staff at the Lanigan pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Airport Story Hour is set for 1-2 p.m. at Jack Barstow Municipal Airport. Children ages 2-5 are invited to enjoy a light snack while listening to an aviation/space related story at this free event. Warm weather readings will be held in the beautiful outdoor MCADA area near the terminal. Cold weather readings will be held in the terminal building. If held inside current CDC recommendations will be followed.

Birds and Blooms at Forestview is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join a CNC naturalist for a leisurely stroll as we take in the spring wildflowers and birds at The Little Forks Conservancy's Forestview Natural Area. Loaner binoculars will be available. Meet at the Forestview Natural Area parking lot off Tittabawassee River Road. This is a free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Victoria Ritter grew up in Midland and after earning a degree in English at Grand Valley State University, returned. She joined the Daily News as its newsroom clerk, and eventually began editing obituaries, and in 2016 wrote her first article. She loves the arts, from reading and creative writing to catching a movie or singing in her church choir.