Cereal City Buzz: Event Guide (Mar 11 – Mar 24)

Your bi-weekly roundup of St. Patrick's Day pub crawls, a cappella battles, and food entrepreneur pitches in Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion.

Spring is nearly officially here, and the local calendar is leaning heavily into the luck of the Irish and the spirit of competition.

Whether you want to watch hundreds of dancers take the stage, sample creations from the region's top food entrepreneurs, or roll the dice in downtown Marshall, the next two weeks are packed.

Here is your guide to the action.

Week 1: St. Practice Day & Dance Routines (Mar 11 – 17)

Get ready for a busy week as St. Patrick's Day approaches. We have massive dance competitions, Vegas-style shopping, and plenty of green beer.

• Booze at the Bohm: Irish Whiskey

  • When: Wednesday, Mar 11 | 6:30 PM

  • Where: Bohm Theatre (Albion)

  • The Scoop: Kick off the week with a guided Irish Whiskey tasting event, perfectly timed for the upcoming holiday.

• Showstopper Dance Competition

  • When: Friday, Mar 13 – Sunday, Mar 15

  • Where: Kellogg Arena

  • The Scoop: Hundreds of talented dancers take over the arena for a massive regional competition weekend featuring world-class production. Admission is completely free for spectators.

• Casino Night in the Shops

  • When: Saturday, Mar 14 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Where: Downtown Marshall

  • The Scoop: Get your Vegas on! Participating downtown retail locations will feature casino-themed games, prizes, and special discounts while you shop.

• St. Practice Day Pub Crawl

  • When: Saturday, Mar 14

  • Where: Downtown Battle Creek

  • The Scoop: Why wait for Tuesday? Warm up for St. Patrick's Day with a festive, green-clad pub crawl through the city's favorite downtown watering holes.

• St. Patrick's Day Trivia

  • When: Tuesday, Mar 17 | 7:00 PM

  • Where: Fiesta Mexicana

  • The Scoop: Grab some tacos and margaritas while putting your trivia knowledge to the test on actual St. Patrick's Day.

Week 2: Food Innovation & Pitch Perfect (Mar 18 – 24)

After the St. Patrick's Day dust settles, the focus shifts to business networking, music, and high-stakes culinary competitions.

• Business Roundtable & WIB Power Social Hour

  • When: Wednesday, Mar 18

  • Where: Battle Creek (Check Chamber for details)

  • The Scoop: Great mid-week networking opportunities hosted by the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce.

• 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: Watch regional food entrepreneurs pitch their businesses for a chance to win up to $40,000 in cash awards. The event features 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: Talented college a cappella groups take the stage for a fan-favorite night of fun musical rivalry.

• Local Business Marketing Meetup Kickoff

  • When: Date TBA

  • Where: Battle Creek

  • The Scoop: 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. Keep an eye on your inbox for the exact time and location.

Save the Date

• George Thorogood & The Destroyers: Bringing "Bad to the Bone" rock & roll to FireKeepers Casino on March 27.

• The All-American Rejects: Hitting FireKeepers Casino on April 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be 21 to attend the "Booze at the Bohm" event?

A: Yes. Because this is a guided Irish Whiskey tasting, all attendees must be 21 or older and present a valid ID at the door.

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

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

Q: How does "Casino Night in the Shops" work?

A: Think of it as a fun, interactive shopping experience. As you visit participating downtown Marshall stores, you'll find casino games set up (like blackjack or roulette tables). Playing the games gives you a chance to win store discounts, free items, or entries into larger prize drawings.