We’re looking back on some of best moments of 2015 in the Mt. Pleasant area. In the past year we’ve welcomed new businesses and new events to the community, our annual community and sporting events have gotten bigger and better, and a few celebrities even stopped by. So, get comfy, grab some hot cocoa, and join us for a trip down memory lane!
A Big Year for the Community:
This year was a big year for welcoming new faces to the community and celebrating the success of the familiar ones! In 2015, the Ziibiwing Cultural Center celebrated their 11th birthday, General Agency Company celebrated 100 years in the community, The Mt. Pleasant Community Foundation celebrated their 25th anniversary, and Krapohl Ford and Lincoln celebrated 65 years. We welcomed new comers, 120 South, Narrativality Coffee Roasters, and Helios Art Gallery to Downtown Mt. Pleasant. The community also welcomed the new community paper, Central Michigan Pulse to the area. Art Reach of Mid Michigan opened their newly renovated classroom and back patio, while Hunters and Cranker’s both added breweries to their restaurants. Killer Hibachi also moved from their food truck to a permanent location on Blue Grass road. Finally, Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes was revamped and featured on the Animal Planet show, Restoration Wild, their episode will air in January. We cannot wait to see what else the New Year will bring to the community.
A Big Year for Performances:
In 2015, Mt. Pleasant saw a wonderful collection of world renowned performers as well as local legends. We kicked off the year with Max and Emily’s Winter Concert, featuring Paula Cole. Soaring Eagle brought in amazing performances like ZZ Top, Toby Keith, Bill Engvall, Kenny Rogers, and more. During the summer, Wheatland Music Festival celebrated their 42nd year, which featured local and world renowned musicians and artists. Max and Emily’s Summer Concerts hosted a number of fantastic artists, including local favorite Jeff Daniels. Central Michigan University also brought Hoodie Allen and Third Eye Blind to the area for a special Homecoming concert. We look forward to many more great performances in 2016!
A Big Year for Sports:
Mt. Pleasant saw a wide array of fun and exciting sporting events and moments in 2015. We saw CMU’s men’s basketball team excel in the beginning of the year and anticipate another great season in 2016. The city also hosted the first annual Man vs. Mountain 5k winter obstacle course, which will take place again on February 6, 2016. This summer, Mt. Pleasant hosted the 2015 Special Olympics of Michigan Summer Games, MASA girls’ softball tournament, Le Tour De Mont Pleasant, and the brand new Glow in the Art 5k, which will return in 2016. This fall, the CMU football team met new coach, John Bonamego and saw their best season since 2009. Finally, in December, we saw the new fat tire bike race Le Frost Cross, which had 76 participants for their first year! We anticipate another exciting year with even more sporting events to come!
A Big Year for Events:
In 2015, the Mt. Pleasant community was home to many great events. We began the year with the annual Polar Plunge, in which participants dive into freezing water and help raise money for Special Olympics Michigan. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe celebrated their 26th annual CMU Pow Wow as well as their Tribal National Pow Wow. The 2nd annual Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival was a huge success and anticipates an even larger crowd of beer connoisseurs in 2016. Art Reach of Mid Michigan hosted their annual Art Walk Central event, which presented the work of local artists, offered workshops, speakers, competitions and more. We had amazing fall weather, which made for a hugely successful Zonta Apple Fest and Pumpkin Promenade. We capped off the year with Ladies Night Out, Small Business Saturday, and The Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration, all of which had a great turnout. We loved seeing the visitors and community come together and enjoy so many fantastic events. We can’t wait to see what next year will bring!
