Great Start recognizes the importance of community involvement and the value of opportunities for families to learn and grow together. We have created these community calendars as a way to share timely community events with you. If you know of any events please take time to add them to our community calendar or forward the information to gsevents@dsisd.net. Please encourage the agencies and organizations that you partner with to do so as well so we can have a comprehensive one stop shop for early childhood information in our communities.
Please note that there are guidelines for submissions and each will be reviewed before posting
Terrific Tales Preschool Storytime Join us Friday mornings at 10AM for singing, dancing, stories, and crafts! This program is geared toward preschool aged kids, though all ages are welcome!
Every Friday night fish fry has take out, curbside pick-up or indoor dining available. All entrees $18.00 each. Questions?: Call 906-341-2536
Public Welcome! Purchase take out or dine inside.
9/5, 9/12, 9/19, & 9/26 Friday Fish Fry 5pm - 8pm Public Welcome! Take out or inside Dining. Manistique Moose Lodge, M-149, Manistique.
The NMU Dance Team is hosting a Kids Clinic for children ages 5–12! Join us on Sunday, November 16th from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM in the Vandament Arena at the PEIF. The cost is $20 per dancer, and no experience is required. Each registration also includes one free adult entry to our Showcase! Participants will learn […]
Ages: K – 5th grade Student Fee: Free (Does require registration the day before each event) (sponsored by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority) Join us in the Escanaba Marketplace for […]
7/7, 7/14, 7/21, & 7/28 Food and Clothing Pantry 11am-1pm at the Christ Fellowship Church in Germfask. Weekly on Mondays. Free food and clothing for families in need. Closed on […]
Price $3 per person. Dates subject to change due to school events and poor weather.
Come join the Great Start Collaborative's Family Coalition Meetings at Spies Public Library every third Tuesday of the month following our Parent/Child Coffee Chats! This group plans events and parent […]
Delta County Foster / Adoptive / Kinship / Guardian Support Group Every 1st Tuesday of each month Sept 2nd, Oct 7th, Nov 4th, Dec 2nd 6pm- 8pm EST New Life […]
For Schoolcraft and Delta County's children under age 5. Babies and preschoolers are getting free books in the mail every month through the United Way's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program. […]
City Band Concerts begin Mid-June, Wednesday Evenings at 7:30 p.m., in Ludington Park, at the Karas Memorial Band Shell. Weekly concerts continue through the summer until mid August. Rained out […]
8/6, 8/13 & 8/20 Fun With Art 9:30am-11am pre-school (must be accompanied by an adult) through high school students are invited to the Garden Gallery for free art of your […]
11/19/25 Acorn Story Time 10am-11am Join us at the Manistique Senior Center for our acorn story time. We will be reading stories about seasons changing and making fun acorn crafts. A snack will be provided. Everyone is welcome to join the fun! 101 Main Street, Manistique.
11/19/25 Feed America Mobile Food Pantry 10am at the Salvation Army 3001 5th Ave. S., Escanaba
11/19/25 Escanaba Book Mobile in Rock 1pm-2pm at the Rock Senior Center on the last Wednesday of the month. Open to the public. A Library Card is required for checkout. On-site registration available with I.D. Call 906-789-7323 for more info.
5pm-6:30pm Located at Triangle Park (Oak St and Arbutus Ave in Manistique) Every Wednesday fresh and local food, crafts, and other items. On Rainy days the market moves indoors. Lake Effect Arts at 244 S Cedar St
Come join the fun. Sunshine or Rain the music will be playing! Bring a lawn chair. Sit on the bleachers. Sit in your car. West Bear Area is the rain location, if needed because of the weather. Bring a lawn chair if the concert will be inside. Light snacks available for a small fee. Restrooms […]
For individuals or families experiencing food insecurity. Event lasts until the food boxes run out. (Dial 2-1-1 at anytime for other possible food resources or financial assistance programs that may be available). 1.Enter line going West towards Riverside Cemetery on 14th Ave. 2.Follow route: 14th Ave - Memorial - Riverside - West Dr. 3.Pick up […]
Introducing the Read to Your Shelter Pet Program sponsored by the amazing Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan and UPAWS! Get ready to have loads of fun while making a positive impact on shelter animals. Here’s everything you need to know: The program will take place monthly on the third Thursday, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Mark […]
All are welcome to come listen and/or play!
11/20 & 12/18/25 Parents Like Me Support Group 7pm-8:30pm at the Escanaba Early Childhood Center, 1905 S. 21st St. Designed for caregivers raising children with special needs. Snacks and beverages provided. No childcare. Contact Carrie at 906-786-7080 EXT 163 to RSVP. (changed from 4 to 3 Thurs in Nov. & Dec.)
11/21/25 Manistique School & Public Library Storytime: How to Hide a Turkey 10am-11am Children 5 and under, with adult supervision, are invited for story time fun! We will share a story, activities and a snack. 100 N Cedar St.
11/22/25 Delta Co. Family Coalition Storytime: Hibernation 10:30am at the Escanaba Public Library. The Great Start Family Coalition presents a free storytime for ages 0-8 years old. There will be stories, movement activities, and social time! FREE No registration is required. Contact lmold@dsisd.net for more info.
Breakfast available every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month. Purchase a meal and support the VFW. Open to the public. Call 906-341-6793 for more information.
11/2, 11/9 & 11/23/25 Youth Archery Session 5pm-7pm at the Manistique Rifle and Pistol Club. Children ages 8 and up. Youth do not need to have their own equipment to participate. Registration is required at www.4Honline.ocm. Contact Jill at conninji@msu.edu for questions.
11/25/25 Thanksgiving Lunch noon-12:45pm The Salvation Army is providing free Thanksgiving turkey lunches to people in need at the Salvation Army Community Center, 3001 5th Ave South, Escanaba.
11/25/25 Escanaba Black Friday and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 7pm at the Escanaba DDA 1025 Ludington St. Business sales from 3pm9pm.
11/26/25 School’s Out Fun Day 7:30am-5:30pm at the Wells Childcare Center in Wells, MI. $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Registration is required. The fun-filled day will include group activities, arts & crafts, and games. Please bring lunch, outdoor wear, and snacks. 906-789-0202.
Lake Effect Community Arts Center is proud to present Please Touch and Play: an early childhood art exploration. Please join us every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 10:30-11:30am with projects to delight your littlest artists. We are located at 244 S. Cedar Street in Manistique! See you then!
11/27/25 Escanaba Community Thanksgiving Dinner 11:30am-1:30pm In the Escanaba High School in the Commons. Sit-down meals will be provided at no cost. Meal reservations are encouraged but not required. DATA Bus transportation is available upon request. Contact Escanaba Senior Center for reservations at 906-786-8850 or visit communitythanksgivingdinner.org for more information.
11/28 & 11/29/25 TV6 Thanksgiving Craft Show 10am-5pm,at the UP State Fairgrounds. Crafters, vendors, artists, and small businesses. Admission is $3. Kids 12 and under are free. www.uppermichiganssource.com
11/28/25 Manistique Christmas Parade 6:30pm The Parade route will start at Habitat for Humanity and end at the Post Office. Line-up is at 6:00 pm. The theme this year is Winter Wonderland. To register, please call the advisor at 906-341-2424
Kids ages 6-8 years old The Kids P.A.C.K. is an educational club for children Activities include games, crafts, guest speakers, animal education, making treats/toys and animal interaction. First Tuesday of the month unless cancelled due to holiday or weather closures. Please call the shelter for more information.
10/7/25 Delta Co Foster/Adoptive/Kinship & Guardianship Support Group 6pm-8pm on the first Tuesday of the month at New Life Church 2005 8 Ave S., Escanaba. Dinner and childcare provided. RSVP to Victoria Declaire at 906-464-4046 ext 4.
Various topics: MI Parenting Resource: Michigan State University Extension is excited to share MI Parenting Resource, a free, online program developed by our partners in MSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies. MiParenting Resource offers a collection of videos introducing research-supported strategies for common caregiving concerns, such as how to increase child cooperation, teach […]
Come down to play or listen, all are welcome!
Salvation Army Christmas and Toy Shop
Join us at for Happy Tails Story Time! There will be animal related stories, followed by a craft and an opportunity to meet some animal guests! There is no fee for this program, but we always appreciate participants bringing an item from our wish list to donate to help the animals in our care. Kids […]
Kid ages 9-11 years old The Junior P.A.C.K. is an educational club for children Activities include games, crafts, guest speakers, animal education, making treats/toys and animal interaction. Please call the shelter for more information. Second Tuesday of the Month unless cancelled due to holiday or weather closures.
Join us every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 6-8pm for Create Club!! Work on your projects with other artists in a social setting. There is no instructor or materials provided.
A new opportunity for 0-5 year olds, with adult supervision, to play and explore!
Second Wednesday of each month through September. Free classic car show, purchase food & drink, 50/50 tickets and lots of fun. All proceeds benefit local charities. Rained out days will be held the following day.