The focus of this category is on attractions, events, recreational opportunities, and sports teams and programs in Big Rapids, Michigan.
An example of a resource that would be appropriate for this category is the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University, which features racist memorabilia, using these objects of intolerance to teach tolerance and promote social justice. Also in Big Rapids, the Mecosta County Historical Museum is housed in a home formerly owned by an early lumberman, Fitch Phelps.
The Big Rapids Community Library not only carries the books and electronic resources that are to be expected from a library, but it includes a seed library, which is a collection of seeds that can be borrowed and planted, the idea being that the borrower will save the seeds from the new growth, returning them to the seed library to be shared with others. The FLITE Library at Ferris State University is an integral part of the university experience for students at FSU.
The Bull Dog Cinema is a locally-owned movie theater on Maple Street. Established in 1981, and providing an outlet for theatrical experiences, the STAGE-M theater is operated by the Society for Theatre Arts Growth and Enjoyment in Mid-Michigan.
Funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, ArtWorks offers educational programs, summer art camps, a foreign film series, book clubs, and other creative programs. It includes a large gallery for local and visiting art and cultural exhibits.
Situated about one mile from Ferris State University, The Gate is a bowling center and bar, featuring several bowling lanes, as well as pool tables and a large bar area with several televisions.
The Big Rapids Cardinals is the name used by Big Rapids High School sports programs, while the Ferris State Bulldogs is the collegiate name for the athletics programs of Ferris State University. Additionally, there are several municipally-sponsored or community-based recreational and sports programs, such as the Big Rapids Little League, Big Rapids Men's Softball Association, Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association, Northland United Soccer Club, and probably some others as well.
These are just a few. Websites representing any museums, historical places, theaters, theatre groups, and entertainment venues, as well as concerts, festivals, and events in Big Rapids would be appropriate for this category, as would any other sports programs, leagues, or teams, whether sponsored by the city's parks and recreation department, school system, community organization, or as a private for-profit business.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Offering educational programs, summer art camps, a foreign film series, book clubs, and other programs and activities designed to get people involved in the creative community of Big Rapids, Michigan, Artworks is a non-profit organization and an art center with local and visiting art and cultural exhibits. Formed through a merger of the Mecosta County Council for the Arts and the Humanities Council of West Central Michigan in 2005, Artworks is located in Big Rapids.
https://www.artworksinbigrapids.org/
Athletics teams representing Big Rapids Public Schools are known as the Cardinals. Its fall, winter, and springs sports programs are highlighted here, including freshman, junior varsity, and varsity, where applicable. A calendar of games and other events are posted, along with game and team news reports and other discussions, sponsorship information, logos and team graphics. The proceeds from an online shopping area benefit Big Rapids High School.
https://brcardinals.com/
Located on South Michigan Avenue in Big Rapids, Michigan, the library is open every day but Sunday. Library hours are posted to the site, along with the names of its board members and staff, office hours, and contact information. Cardholders may access their accounts, as well as the library catalog. Other resources include schedules and details about the library’s programs for children, the elderly, and other community projects, as well as a calendar of events.
https://www.bigrapidslibrary.org/
Affiliated with Little League International, the Big Rapids, Michigan league offers baseball opportunities for children, from ages four to sixteen. Board members and staff are introduced, with contacts, and a field directory, available programs, volunteer opportunities, registration information, and a season schedule are put forth, along with official forms, photographs, videos, and links to associated social media sites and online LLI resources.
https://www.bigrapidslittleleague.com/
Locally owned and operated, the movie theater is located on Maple Street in the City of Big Rapids, Michigan. The address, telephone number, email address, and hours of operation for the theater are posted on the site, along with a schedule of currently playing movies, highlights of upcoming movies, with reviews. Ticket prices, discounts, and special offers are featured, and concession combos are posted to the site, and announcements are included.
https://www.bulldogcinema.com/
The FSU Bulldogs are the athletic team that represents Ferris State University, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic competitions. Its men’s and women’s sports schedules and rosters are presented, along with video, audio, and other multimedia resources, ticket sales, and news reports about its teams and games. Other resources include a calendar of events, social media links, and online shopping for team apparel, promotional items, and other products.
https://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/
Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia
Founded by Dr. David Pilgrim and housed on the campus of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, the museum is free to the public and features six exhibit areas: Who and What is Jim Crow, Jim Crow Violence, Jim Crow and Anti-Black Imagery, Battling Jim Crow Imagery, Attacking Jim Crow Segregation, and Beyond Jim Crow. Its location, museum hours, and a profile of the museum and its purpose are put forth, and photographs are included.
https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/
With the goal of promoting local agriculture, the annual county fair is held at the fairgrounds in Big Rapids, Michigan, the county seat, where it offers agricultural and other exhibits, rides, family activities, entertainment, and food. Photographs and highlights from past fairs are showcased on the site, along with an event schedule, activities and contacts for the 4-H component, and other activities and amusements, including the midway. Camping facilities are discussed.
https://www.mecostafreefair.com/
Formed in 1981, the Society for Theatre Arts Growth and Enjoyment in Mid-Michigan serves as an outlet for community engagement, providing a variety of theatrical experiences. Utilizing volunteers, students, and staff, the community theater company is featured here. Upcoming productions are highlighted, along with its audition policies and schedules, sponsors and sponsorship opportunities, committees, a gallery of photographs, and other announcements.
https://stage-m.org/
The Gate is a bowling center on South 3rd Avenue, one mile from the Ferris State University campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. Featuring several bowling lanes, pool tables, restaurant, and a large bar area with several televisions. Its location, hours, and phone number are posted to the site, and a menu features its starters, beverages, burgers, and pizza choices. Special offers are available each week, and private events may be hosted by the facility.
https://www.thegatebowling.com/