Cereal City Buzz: Event Guide (Mar 18 – Mar 31)

Your bi-weekly roundup of food entrepreneur pitches, a cappella battles, legendary rock, and local business networking in Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion.

 

The official start of spring is just days away, and the Cereal City area is celebrating with a high-energy mix of high-stakes competition and high-volume rock and roll.

 

Whether you want to help pick the winner of a $40,000 food pitch grant, watch college vocal groups face off, or rock out with a blues-rock legend, your late-March itinerary is officially booked.

Here is your guide to what’s happening.

 

Week 1: Pitches, Percussion & Power Networking (Mar 18 – 24)

 

Bring your appetite and your business cards to this week's lineup, featuring high-stakes culinary competitions and local networking.

 

• Business Roundtable & WIB Power Social Hour

  • When: Wednesday, Mar 18 (Check listings for specific times)

  • Where: Battle Creek (Check Chamber for venue)

  • The Scoop: Great mid-week networking hosted by the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce. It's a fantastic opportunity to make new connections.

• Music Bingo at the Squirrel

  • When: Thursday, Mar 19

  • Where: Squirrel Hollow Golf Course

  • The Scoop: A fun, musical twist on the classic game to get your weekend started early.

• Food Prize 2026

  • When: Saturday, Mar 21 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  • Where: Kellogg Arena & Battle Creek Innovation Hub

  • The Scoop: This is one of the biggest days of the year for regional food innovation! Watch food entrepreneurs pitch their businesses for a chance to win up to $40,000 in cash awards. The event includes a food product showcase where you can sample and buy from the competitors.

• A Capella Night

  • When: Saturday, Mar 21 | 7:30 PM

  • Where: The Franke Center for the Arts (Marshall)

  • The Scoop: Get ready for a fan-favorite night of fun musical rivalry. Highly talented college a cappella groups from across the region take the stage to battle for vocal supremacy.

 

Week 2: Rocking the Casino & Building Hype (Mar 25 – 31)

 

As we close out the month, the volume goes up as a rock icon hits the casino stage.

 

• George Thorogood & The Destroyers

  • When: Friday, Mar 27 | 8:00 PM

  • Where: FireKeepers Casino Hotel

  • The Scoop: "Bad to the Bone" returns! Expect a high-energy night of classic rock and blues as George Thorogood brings his legendary stage presence and gritty hits to FireKeepers.

 

Save the Date

 

• Local Business Marketing Meetup Kickoff: Our brand-new monthly in-person meetup for local business owners is launching soon! It’s the perfect opportunity to talk strategy, network, and grow together. We are locking in the final details and will announce the exact March time and location in next week's Buzz.

• The All-American Rejects: Bringing early 2000s pop-rock vibes to FireKeepers on April 2.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: Is "Food Prize 2026" just a competition, or can the public eat too?

A: Both! While the core of the event involves entrepreneurs pitching to judges for the $40,000 grant, there is also a vendor showcase. Attendees can sample products directly from the competitors and purchase their favorites, making it a great day out for foodies.

 

Q: Are there tickets still available for George Thorogood?

A: Tickets for classic rock legends at the casino always sell well. You should check the FireKeepers box office or verified resale sites immediately to secure your seats.

 

Q: How do I get details for the new "Local Business Marketing Meetup"?

A: We are finalizing the March date and venue right now! To get the details, make sure you are on our main email list or keep an eye out for next week's edition of Cereal City Buzz, where we will have the official announcement.