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Cereal City Buzz: Event Guide (Apr 8 – Apr 22)

Your bi-weekly roundup of hot tub expos, acoustic rock, and Earth Day celebrations in Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion.

 

The weather is finally turning, and the Cereal City is coming alive with events to get you out of the house.

 

Whether you want to browse over $1 Million in spas at the arena, catch Rob Thomas at the casino, or celebrate the Earth with local conservation events, the next two weeks are completely booked.

 

Here is your guide to the action.

 

Week 1: Spas, Symphonies & Spring Melodies (Apr 8 – 14)

We kick off this week with major regional expos, classical music, and a high-flying community tradition.

 

• Spring Melodies

  • When: Thursday, Apr 9 | 6:30 PM

  • Where: Albion (Check local community arts listings)

  • The Scoop: Enjoy a relaxing evening of local musical performances to officially welcome the spring weather.

• Master Spas Expo 2026

  • When: Friday, Apr 10 – Sunday, Apr 12

  • Where: Kellogg Arena

  • The Scoop: Thinking about upgrading your backyard this summer? Explore a massive inventory of premier spas and hot tubs right on the arena floor. Admission is completely free!

• Battle Creek Symphony: Symphony 5 - American Dream

  • When: Saturday, Apr 11 | 7:30 PM

  • Where: W.K. Kellogg Auditorium

  • The Scoop: Discover the moving history of America's immigrants with Ellis Island: The Dream of America. This promises to be a powerful and sweeping musical performance

• Marshall Athletic Boosters Inaugural Redhawk Raffle

  • When: Saturday, Apr 11

  • Where: Downtown Marshall (W. Michigan Ave & Eagle St)

  • The Scoop: Support local student-athletes by participating in this fun, inaugural community raffle event right in the heart of Marshall.

• WMU Annual Alpha Eta Rho Fly-In

  • When: Sunday, Apr 12

  • Where: Battle Creek Executive Airport (WMU College of Aviation)

  • The Scoop: A fantastic annual tradition for aviation enthusiasts and families alike to see aircraft up close and support the collegiate aviation community.

 

Week 2: Dance Routines, Rob Thomas & Earth Day (Apr 15 – 22)

Next week brings a blend of early-morning networking, high-energy pop-rock, and fantastic weekend markets.

 

• Showstopper Dance Competition

  • When: Friday, Apr 17 – Sunday, Apr 19

  • Where: Kellogg Arena

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

• Rob Thomas Live

  • When: Friday, Apr 17 | 8:00 PM

  • Where: FireKeepers Casino Hotel

  • The Scoop: The multi-platinum frontman of Matchbox Twenty brings his incredible vocals and massive catalog of solo and band hits to the casino event center.

• Spring Fling Vendor/Flea Market

  • When: Saturday, Apr 18 & Sunday, Apr 19

  • Where: Battle Creek (Check local listings for venue)

  • The Scoop: Spend your weekend hunting for treasures, antiques, and locally made goods at this two-day spring market.

• Earth Day & Conservation Events

  • When: Saturday, Apr 18

  • Where: Battle Creek & Albion

  • The Scoop: Celebrate the planet! The City of Battle Creek is hosting a special "Tree and Bird Event" to honor local wildlife, while Albion is hosting a community Earth Day Celebration from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

 

Save the Date

• The Joe League Basketball Tournament: Returning to the court at Kellogg Arena on April 25.

• Binder Park Zoo Opening Day: The animals welcome you back for the season on April 22!

• Community Prayer Breakfast: Featuring baseball legend Darryl Strawberry at Kellogg Arena on May 5.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to buy tickets to get into the Master Spas Expo? A: No, admission to the Master Spas Expo at Kellogg Arena (April 10-12) is completely free! You can browse the inventory without an entry fee, and parking is conveniently available in the connected Hamblin Ave. ramp.

Q: Are kids allowed at the Rob Thomas concert? A: No. Entry to the Event Center and access to the Casino Floor for shows at FireKeepers, including Rob Thomas on April 17, requires all attendees to be 21 or older.

Q: Do I need to pay to watch the Showstopper Dance Competition? A: No, the Showstopper competition at Kellogg Arena (April 17-19) is completely free for spectators. You can drop in throughout the weekend to watch some incredibly talented regional dance studios perform.