❄️✨🎭 Fresh Signs, Full Schedules & February Feels | What’s Up Big Rapids – 2.11.26

We’re officially 10% of the way through 2026 — how are those New Year goals holding up?

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, downtown momentum continues with new signs going up at The Banded Raccoon and Cottage Inn Pizza & Pub, Festival of the Arts is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of things to do as we head into Valentine’s weekend.

From live music and comedy nights to drama productions and vendor markets, February is proving that winter in Big Rapids doesn’t mean slowing down.

We also celebrate local talent, revisit childhood movie memories ahead of the theater reopening, and highlight some big events coming up across town.

0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:10 – 10% of the year already — how are your goals going?
2:00 – New signs downtown: The Banded Raccoon & Cottage Inn 🍕
4:05 – Festival of the Arts in full swing 🎨
4:30 – Ukulele Fridays at Artworks 🎵
5:00 – FSU Drama & MEBA nights at Toppings
6:15 – Chris is a new fan of the duo of Cliff Monear and Miguel Guttierez 🎹
7:48 – Super Bowl recap & Pat hosting at the new event space 🏈
8:50 – Justin Verlander retires as a Detroit Tiger ⚾
10:15 – Thanks to Jennifer Knowles & Kenzie
13:30 – Featured Creature of the Week: Red Eye Crocodile Skink 🦎
16:55 – FOTA rundown for the week — how do you choose?
22:20 – Valentine’s Day plans ❤️
23:50 – Galentine’s Day + Daddy Daughter Dance 💃
25:35 – Cran Hill Winterfest (Feb 15) ❄️
26:47 – Monthly standup comedy at The Peaks (Feb 20)
27:50 – Indoor Vendor Market at The Banded Raccoon (Feb 21)
30:16 – Mom 2 Mom Sale at St. Mary’s Parish
31:12 – Summerfest is June 6 (vendors wanted!) 🌞
32:41 – High Strung Steel at the Sawmill (Feb 21) 🎸
34:50 – Glitterball Gayla at The Peaks supporting Pride Big Rapids ✨
35:49 – BRMS Drama presents The Lion King 🦁
37:00 – Movie nostalgia & excitement for the theater reopening 🎬
44:00 – The Turnips farewell show (Feb 28)
47:37 – Taste of Mecosta returns March 24 🍽️
49:20 – The guys look forward to escaping the cold for a few days
51:30 – Dom’s Corrections (via Kenzie): Skinks & Valentine’s history
53:05 – Outro & goodbyes

What’s Up Big Rapids podcast, Big Rapids Michigan events, Festival of the Arts Big Rapids, Banded Raccoon Big Rapids, Cottage Inn Pizza Big Rapids, Cliff Monear jazz pianist, High Strung Steel Sawmill Saloon, Glitterball Gayla Pride Big Rapids, BRMS Drama Lion King, Taste of Mecosta 2026, Big Rapids theater reopening

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