THINGS TO DO — THE BIG WEEKEND EDITION

If you've been waiting for a weekend when there's actually too much to choose from, congratulations. You found it.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

269 Fest Scavenger Hunt — Downtown Kalamazoo
Explore downtown with an interactive scavenger hunt designed to send you into places you may have walked past a hundred times without noticing. That's pretty much a KPVibe mission statement. 😂

Sounds of the Zoo: Hip Hop & R&B — Cityscape | 6–10 PM | FREE
Alise King kicks things off at 6 PM, followed by Kandace Lavender at 7:30 and Santino Jones at 9.

My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War — Farmers Alley Theatre | 7:30 PM
Family, football, Michigan vs. Ohio and the fight over Toledo. Honestly, they could have stopped at the title and sold us.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Great Lakes Brass Second Line Parade — Downtown Kalamazoo | 4 PM | FREE
This may be our KPVibe Pick of the Weekend. Great Lakes Brass leads a New Orleans-style Second Line from the Radisson through downtown. Hear the brass and follow it.

Sounds of the Zoo — Bronson Park | 5–10 PM | FREE
The parade leads nicely into an entire evening of free music with Great Lakes Brass, Chris Canas, Yellowhouse and Desmond Jones.

Anything Goes — Kalamazoo Civic Theatre | 7:30 PM
Cole Porter, romance, comedy and tap dancing aboard an ocean liner.

My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War — Farmers Alley Theatre | 7:30 PM
Your other theater choice: Michigan, Ohio, football and family warfare. Choose your weapon. 😂

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Kalamazoo Farmers Market — 1204 Bank St. | 7 AM–1 PM
Start early with local produce, baked goods, prepared foods, flowers and handmade goods.

Air Fair — Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport | 10 AM–2 PM | FREE
Aircraft and aviation displays, interactive activities and a chance for kids—and adults who still look up every time an airplane flies over—to get closer to aviation.

AIR FAIR DETAILS

Portage Oktoberfest — South Westnedge Park | 1–7 PM | FREE Admission
Live music, dancing, German beer, food and family activities. Proceeds from refreshments and beer support the Portage Parks Foundation.

PORTAGE OKTOBERFEST DETAILS

Sounds of the Zoo — Bronson Park | 3–10:30 PM | FREE
More than seven hours of music featuring KAR, Charlie Millard Band, MexiCuba, Mark Lavengood Band and Myron Elkins.

SOUNDS OF THE ZOO WEEKEND DETAILS

WMU vs. Boise State — Waldo Stadium | 3:30 PM
The Broncos meet Boise State for the first time ever, with WMU also honoring its 2016 MAC Championship and Cotton Bowl team.

WMU VS. BOISE STATE DETAILS

Anything Goes — Kalamazoo Civic Theatre | 7:30 PM
Saturday-night entertainment for anyone whose idea of excitement involves fewer shoulder pads and considerably more tap dancing.

My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War — Farmers Alley Theatre | 7:30 PM
Yes, it's competing directly against WMU football weekend. Given the subject matter, we're guessing that wasn't entirely accidental. 😂

The Verve Pipe — Bell's Eccentric Cafe | 8 PM | SOLD OUT
We're leaving it on the list because it's part of this crazy weekend—and apparently half of Kalamazoo had exactly the same idea.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Portage Zhang Farmers Market — 125 E. Centre Ave. | 9 AM–1 PM
A gentler way to begin Sunday. Browse the market, grab something local and recover from Saturday.

Anything Goes — Kalamazoo Civic Theatre | 2 PM
The final performance of the Civic's run of the Cole Porter musical.

Sounds of the Zoo Finale — Bronson Park | 2:30–8 PM | FREE
Samuel Nalangira, The Rupple Brothers, Da'Veonce & DaFunk Gang and The Go Rounds close out the festival.

My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War — Farmers Alley Theatre | 7:30 PM
End the weekend with perhaps the Most

Michigan Play Title Ever Created.

KPVIBE ADVICE

Don't attempt all of this.

Pick two or three things that sound fun, try one you've never done before, and leave yourself enough time to actually enjoy them.

Because apparently Kalamazoo and Portage forgot we're only given one weekend at a time. 😂