🥁🏈🎶 Marching Bands, Marathons & Marvel Bands | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 33 (8-27-25)

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, Chris and Pat recap a jam-packed week: hole-in-ones, house projects, and rocking out at the Tie Dye Festival 🎸. We talk Labor Day weekend plans, the Big Dam Bike Ride, local construction updates, and even a Top Gun movie night at Roben-Hood Airport. ✈️

Our special guest is Dr. Daniel Atwood, the new director of the revived FSU Marching Band! 🥁 He shares the hard work behind bringing back the band, the difference between pep and marching bands, and what’s next for Ferris’ music programs. Spoiler: the Marching Bulldogs will be at games, parades, and community events near you. 🎶🐾

0:00 – Intro & Welcome 👋
1:00 – Thanks to last week’s guest, Sheriff Brian Miller 👮
2:00 – Ever been pepper sprayed or tased? 😳
3:20 – Golf is fickle ⛳ Congrats to Tommy Fleetwood on PGA win
4:00 – Shoutout: Kate Posey’s first Hole in One at Katke! 🏌️‍♀️
5:00 – Weekend recaps: Pat’s house work 🏡 + Chris rocks the Tie Dye Festival 🎸
6:30 – Res Life FunRun for expansion – 5K, 10K, Half Marathon 🏃‍♂️
9:20 – Football season kicks off! Go Cardinals 🏈
10:40 – Holiday weekend = Labor Day Festival 🎡
12:50 – Welcome back, Ferris students! 🎓
13:50 – Last Pocket Park Concert: Darrel Marvel Band 🎶
14:45 – Business moves & construction updates 🚧
17:02 – Shooter’s facade renovation 🧱
18:40 – Rotary’s 2nd Annual Big Dam Bike Ride 🚴
21:15 – Movie night at Roben-Hood Airport: Top Gun ✈️
22:15 – Do you have “go-to videos” for certain moods? 📺
23:58 – Canadian Lakes Folk Jamboree – Sept 12 🎵
24:50 – Guest: Dr. Daniel Atwood, FSU Marching Band Director 🎺
27:00 – Dr. Dan roasts Pat for skipping the season opener 😂
28:00 – Who is Dr. Atwood & his journey to Big Rapids 🎶
30:45 – Rebuilding Ferris’ Marching Band 🥁
33:10 – Pep Band vs Marching Band 🎺
34:30 – Dr. Atwood’s intro to band 🎼
36:20 – Band size this season 🎵
37:30 – Dom models the new Bulldog uniforms 🐾
38:50 – New Ferris branding looks sharp 🔴⚪
41:00 – Atwood also directs the String Orchestra 🎻
43:00 – Future of the Community Concert Band after Dr. Cohen 🎶
45:20 – Thanks to Dr. Atwood & the new marching Bulldogs 🐾
46:35 – Bulldogs bringing the music to games, parades, and more 🎉
47:15 – Dom’s corrections 📝
49:00 – Outro 👋

Big Rapids podcast, FSU Marching Band, Dr. Daniel Atwood Ferris State, Big Rapids Labor Day Festival, Big Dam Bike Ride 2025, Ferris State music programs, Canadian Lakes Folk Jamboree, Pocket Park Concert Series, Roben-Hood Airport Top Gun, Ferris students return 2025, Big Rapids events August 2025

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🎙️ Episode 32 (8-19-25): Buckets, Backpacks & the Big Dam Ride

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids —
Chris and Pat cover rodeos, festivals, football season, and even a musical bucket list moment before diving into a big interview with Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller. From back-to-school checklists to local festivals and bike rides, there’s a lot happening in Big Rapids — plus, we say farewell to intern Kenzie and welcome MJ to the team! 🚀

0:00 🎧 Intro and welcome
1:00 🔙 Weekend Recap
2:30 🤠 Rodeo on the Pond
3:30 🎒 Back to School Checklist
4:32 🎶 Chris checks a musical bucket list dream
5:53 🌈 Tie Dye Festival at Burley Park this weekend
8:05 ⛳ WCAR Golf Outing – the last of the year for the guys
11:15 🐖 Pork for a Purpose Aug 23rd (benefiting local families)
12:40 🍽️ Dinner & a Show at The Peaks this Friday
13:40 🏈 Football season is back!
14:19 🏡 Chris recaps the summer in local real estate
16:28 🎡 Labor Day Festival – Sept 1st
17:45 🚴 Big Dam Bike Ride – Sept 13th
19:48 👮 Guest: Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller
23:00 📈 Jail numbers are up this summer
25:30 🎓 Sheriff’s favorite time of service = school liaison officer
27:10 🏫 History of school resource officers in Mecosta County
34:45 🏀 Coaching days with Sheriff Miller
36:45 ❤️ Why Big Rapids? Why not Big Rapids!
38:20 👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Team: the sheriff’s department strategy
38:30 🗳️ Brian & Chris swap favorite school board stories
43:57 🙌 Thanks to Sheriff Miller for joining us!
44:25 🤓 Dom’s Corrections
44:54 👋 Farewell to intern Kenzie + Welcome to MJ!

Big Rapids podcast, Mecosta County news, Sheriff Brian Miller, Big Rapids events, Big Dam Bike Ride, Labor Day Festival Big Rapids, Tie Dye Festival Burley Park, Pork for a Purpose, WCAR golf outing, Angels of Action, Peaks Event Center, Big Rapids real estate, What’s Up Big Rapids, community podcast Michigan

Hashtags:
#BigRapids #MecostaCounty #LocalPodcast #CommunityMatters #WhatUpBigRapids #BigDamBikeRide #SheriffBrianMiller #TieDyeFestival #SupportLocal #PodcastMichigan

🎓🎭🏞 Reunions, Rodeos & the Road to Back-to-School | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 31 (8-13-25)

It’s a packed week on What’s Up Big Rapids! Chris and Pat swap stories from their weekend adventures—🎓 awkward class reunions, 🎥 summer movie magic, 🎶 festival fun, and even a surprise trip to the E.R. (Pat’s OK!). We talk tie-dye, rodeos, upcoming 5Ks, and the 57th Annual Labor Day Festival.

Our special guest this week is Tim Haist, Superintendent of Big Rapids Public Schools, who joins us to talk about the upcoming school year, reopening schools, bus safety, job openings, the future of learning, and how Big Rapids is leveling the playing field for students. 📚🚌

From community events to conversations that matter, this week’s show is equal parts small-town charm and big ideas.

0:00 – Intro and welcome
1:50 – Weekend recap
2:10 – The awkward beauty of class reunions 🎓
3:50 – Summer movies are delivering 🍿
5:30 – Storms at the Hoxey Festival ⛈️
6:20 – Chris heads to Bellaire 🎶
6:50 – Tie Dye Festival Aug 22–23 🎨
8:15 – Pat lands in the E.R. (again) 🚑
9:22 – Tire recycling Aug 14 ♻️
10:40 – Angels of Action Giveaway Day Aug 15 🎁
11:35 – Rodeo on the Pond 2025 in Morley 🤠
14:10 – Chris can’t finish his chores 🛠️
14:50 – Pork for a Purpose Aug 23 (for two families) ❤️
16:41 – Church in the Park this week ⛪
17:45 – Res Run races this fall 🏃‍♂️
20:55 – 57th Annual Labor Day Festival 🎡
22:00 – Guest: Tim Haist, BRPS Superintendent 🎙️
24:45 – Outlook for the 2025–26 school year 📚
25:55 – Reopening Hillcrest & Eastwood 🏫
28:12 – Reflecting on 15 years of growth 📈
30:00 – Who’s moving to Big Rapids?
31:50 – First day of school Aug 21 📅
34:02 – The team behind the classrooms
34:40 – BR buses travel “to Florida” daily 🚌
36:35 – Bus safety & flashing lights 🚦
37:30 – Job openings in BRPS
39:00 – Leveling the education field in 2025
40:12 – Future of learning
43:10 – Spotting good vs. bad info (ChatGPT 5) 🤖
44:12 – How Tim got his start in education
45:26 – Why Big Rapids? ❤️
48:15 – Pat & Chris wish they were Cardinals 🐦
50:25 – Teachers build platforms for life
51:40 – Thanks to Tim Haist & Dom’s corrections
52:53 – Goodbyes & outro 👋

Big Rapids podcast, Tim Haist interview, Big Rapids Public Schools, BRPS Superintendent, back to school Big Rapids, Labor Day Festival Big Rapids, Angels of Action, Rodeo on the Pond, Tie Dye Festival Burley Park, Bellaire Michigan events, Big Rapids class reunion, Big Rapids events August 2025, Mecosta County news, What’s Up Big Rapids

#WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #BRPS #BackToSchool #MecostaCounty #LaborDayFestival #TieDyeFestival #RodeoOnThePond #AngelsOfAction #BigRapidsEvents #MichiganPodcast #CommunityPodcast #LocalEvents #BusSafety #SuperintendentInterview

🎹🎪🎬 Play Back, Pork & Pat’s Big Move | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 30 (8-7-25)

After a tech fail that almost wiped out the show (RIP to Yesterday’s lost episode 🎤💀), the guys are back and better than ever! Chris returns from serving at a disability camp 💚, Pat surprises everyone with a spontaneous review of Rango 🦎, and… he’s officially moving to Big Rapids! 🏡

We also:
– Announce our Dueling Pianos ticket giveaway winners 🎹
– Preview this weekend’s Hoxeyville Festival 🎶
– Shout out the success of the All-Class Reunion
– Spotlight great causes like Pork for a Purpose, the Angels of Action clothing giveaway, and Rodeo on the Pond 🐖🤠
– Talk about a lobster food truck rollin’ into the Farmer’s Market 🦞
– And preview next week’s guest: Superintendent Tim Haist from BRPS 🎓

Also: Did you survive Y2K? Are you still paying for a Napster subscription? Let’s talk about it.

0:00 – Pre-roll: the tech fail that deleted yesterday’s show 💻
3:30 – Official intro and welcome 🎙️
5:40 – Pat’s spontaneous Rango review 🦎🎬
7:11 – Apologies + creative new way to mess up a recording
7:55 – Chris returns from disability camp 🙌
10:35 – Yet another glitch mid-show 😅
11:10 – Pat’s MOVING TO BIG RAPIDS! 🏠
12:30 – No truck & tractor pull this year in Morley 🚜
13:50 – All-Class Reunion = a smash hit 🎓
14:50 – Thanks again to Josh Pyles for joining us last week
17:00 – Dueling Pianos at The Peaks this Friday 🎹
18:15 – Giveaway winners announced 🎉
19:00 – Chris plays at Hoxeyville Fest 🎶
21:00 – Pat previews his weekend events 🗓️
22:25 – Tire and waste disposal events ♻️
24:45 – Angels of Action clothing giveaway 👕
26:30 – Rodeo on the Pond in Morley 🤠
29:13 – Pork for a Purpose fundraiser 🐖
31:00 – Church in the Park next weekend ⛪
34:00 – Labor Day Arts & Crafts Fair coming up 🎨
36:00 – Saved by the Bell nostalgia hits hard 📺
38:15 – Lobster food truck at the Farmer’s Market 🦞
43:00 – Subscription overload: what are you still paying for? 💸
48:50 – Next week’s guest: Tim Haist from BRPS 🎓
49:15 – Dom’s corrections 📋
50:15 – Outro ✌️

Big Rapids podcast, Big Rapids dueling pianos, Hoxeyville Festival, Angels of Action giveaway, Pat moving to Big Rapids, Pork for a Purpose fundraiser, Morley Rodeo on the Pond, BRPS Superintendent Tim Haist, Big Rapids events August 2025, Big Rapids Farmers Market, lobster food truck Michigan, tire disposal Mecosta County, What’s Up Big Rapids, Chris Jane

#WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #WUBR #CommunityEvents #Hoxeyville #PorkForAPurpose #AngelsOfAction #LobsterFoodTruck #SavedByTheBell #DuelingPianos #SubscriptionLife #PodcastLife #MidMichiganPodcast #TimHaist #BRPS #RangoReview

🎹🎾🎭 Pianos, Parks & Pyles | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 29 (7-28-25)

This week’s episode hits all the right notes—🎹 from dueling pianos to prime rib dinners, summer camps, and community pool splashdowns! Chris is packing for his 20th straight year at summer camp 🏕️, while Pat is navigating the chaos of “turnover season” at work (we get it, teachers). Plus, the guys deliver a spoiler-free review of Happy Gilmore 2 🍿 and give Trino the Comedy Magician a 5-star rating for his show at The Peaks! 🎩

🎉 We're also joined by special guest Josh Pyles from the City of Big Rapids to break down summer rec updates—including free daily open swim, dog day at the pool, tennis programs, concerts, and more!

0:00 – Intro and Welcome
2:10 – Happy Gilmore 2 review (spoiler-free!) ⛳
6:23 – Chris preps for his 20th straight year at summer camp 🏕️
9:05 – Pat’s in turnover season at work 📚
9:50 – Trino the comedy magician earns 5 stars! 🎩
11:30 – Dueling Pianos coming to The Peaks next Friday 🎹
14:15 – Big Rapids All-Class Reunion August 2 🎓
15:08 – Tire recycling & household hazardous waste drop-off ♻️
17:30 – Hosts react to the tragic TC incident 💔
20:20 – Prime rib & Prime shopping at the Commission on Aging 🛒
22:10 – Mom 2 Mom Sale at St. Mary’s 👶🛍️
24:10 – Guest Josh Pyles joins the show 🎙️
26:30 – Free community pool access through August 15 🏊‍♀️
32:35 – Dog Day at the pool 🐶💦
33:42 – Competitive swim camp making a splash 🏊‍♂️
37:49 – Pocket Park concerts every Friday at noon 🎶
40:45 – Farmer’s Market bonus Saturday afternoons 🌽🍅
43:00 – Tennis in the park for ages 4–13 🎾
43:55 – Community event season is in full swing 🎪
52:08 – Follow BR Parks & Rec and the city for updates 📲
55:55 – Dom’s corrections 🔧
59:00 – Thanks to Josh & Outro 🎤

Big Rapids podcast, Josh Pyles interview, Big Rapids Parks and Rec, free pool access Big Rapids, summer activities in Big Rapids, tennis for kids BRCTA, dueling pianos Big Rapids, summer camp in Michigan, Farmer’s Market Big Rapids, comedy magician Trino, community events Mecosta County, What’s Up Big Rapids

#WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #JoshPyles #ParksAndRec #WUBR #CommunityEvents #BigRapidsSummer #FreePoolDay #DogDayAtThePool #TrinoMagic #HappyGilmore2 #TennisInThePark #FarmerMarketFinds #MecostaCounty #PodcastGuest #MidMichiganPodcast

🎭🎹🎬 Musicals, Movies & Magic | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 28 (7-24-25)

This week’s episode is packed tighter than a high school theater prop closet! Chris and Pat recap Pat’s wild weekend 🕺, shout out the Jonah Foundation Fundraiser 🙌, and announce the winner of our Magic Show Ticket Giveaway! 🎩✨

We’ve got big news:
– 🎹 Dueling Pianos at The Peaks in 2 weeks
– 🚲 White Pine Trail is officially complete!
– 🧑‍🎓 Cardinal All-Class Reunion August 2
– 🎶 Hemlock Concert Series keeps rolling
– ♻️ Tire Recycling Event at the fairgrounds
– 🚌 Crossroads expands bus service

Then we welcome Devann Hattis, director of Matilda the Musical, who shares the magic (and madness!) of putting on a licensed production in Big Rapids. From casting and choreography to Broadway dreams and stunt-casting Pat and Chris (👀), this is one for the theater kids and closet performers alike.

🎟️ Tickets for Matilda are still available for this weekend — don’t miss it!

0:00 – Intro & Welcome
1:55 – Thanks, Roger Meinert! 🎙️
3:23 – Jonah Foundation Fundraiser recap
4:16 – Pat’s wild weekend 🍻
5:57 – Celebrity drama — rough week for the stars 🌟
8:36 – Hand of Giants in the studio 🎸
10:00 – Pat’s movie marathon weekend 🎬
13:02 – Magic Show Giveaway winner revealed! 🎩
15:34 – Dueling Pianos 🎹 coming to The Peaks
16:29 – White Pine Trail officially finished 🚲
18:44 – Cardinal All-Class Reunion 🧑‍🎓
19:51 – Hemlock Park concerts 🎶
20:49 – Tire Recycling Event ♻️
21:57 – Crossroads expands bus routes 🚌
23:35 – Chamber news tease 👀
24:20 – Guest: Devann Hattis joins the show 🎭
28:13 – What it takes to bring a show to BR 🎟️
36:54 – Stage-M vs BRPS drama shows 🎤
38:37 – Devann’s favorite Broadway play 🎶
41:57 – Tickets still available for Matilda! 🎟️
43:12 – Licensing big shows like Lion King & Annie 🦁👒
48:39 – Pat & Chris on stage someday??
50:26 – Dom’s corrections 📋
52:11 – HULKAMANIA outro 🟢💪

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🚣‍♂️💉🎉 Tubing, Tattoos & Turning 150 | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 27 (7-16-25)

Michigan is showing off this week — sunshine, rivers, community cleanups, and big celebrations just up the road in Reed City, turning 150 years old! 🎉 We swap weekend stories (tubing legends were made), talk the new Superman 🦸, and shout out Tree Tops Tattoos for doing real good with a river cleanup.

We’ve got event alerts galore: Matilda, Swede Hill Skate Park ribbon cutting, Trino the Comedy Magician & Dueling Pianos at The PEAKS (ticket giveaway below!), new Ready for Life campus, and extended Splash Pad hours.

Then we welcome Roger Meinert, Mayor of Reed City, for a lively look at RC’s 150th celebration: lumberjack shows, trap shooting champs, $40M in grants, a student-designed logo legacy, and a new pocket park coming with skating & concerts. Big small-town energy. ❤️

🎟 MAGIC SHOW GIVEAWAY: Tag a friend + @WUBR + @ThePeaks in the comments to enter. Winner announced next week!

0:00 – Intro 👋
1:17 – Michigan is beautiful — summer brag time 🌲🏞️
3:30 – Noble: undisputed master of tubing 🚣‍♂️
4:23 – Pat’s weekend recap 🗓️
6:55 – Talking the new Superman 🦸
9:43 – Tree Tops Tattoos river cleanup shoutout 💧💉
11:50 – Thanks, Kim (Angels of Action), for last week’s visit 🙏
13:16 – Jonah Foundation Fundraiser is July 17 📅
13:56 – Upcoming plans for the WUBR crew 🎙️
15:19 – Go see Matilda! 🎭
16:23 – Ready for Life opening a campus in Big Rapids 🎓
17:35 – Bathrooms now open at Depot & Northland Parks 🚻
18:30 – Swede Hill Skate Park ribbon cut & open! 🛹
19:03 – Two shows at The PEAKS: Trino Comedy Magician & Dueling Pianos 🎩🎹
20:45 – Win Magic Show Tickets! Tag a friend + #WUBR + #ThePeaks 🎟️
23:18 – 2025 Big Rapids All-Class Reunion Aug 2 🎓
26:05 – City hosting competitive swim camp 🏊
27:31 – City hiring — check openings 💼
29:15 – Guest: Roger Meinert, Mayor of Reed City 🎤
30:56 – Local trap shooting teams success 🎯
34:27 – Reed City Turns 150! Four-day celebration starts July 17 🎉
35:20 – Lumberjack shows at the party 🪓
36:50 – Wild & fun RC150 events — see RC150.com 🤠
38:28 – Reed City logo: created by students 50 years ago! 🎨
39:35 – 10 years of progress in Reed City 🔧
42:11 – Community-focused Reed City Council 🏛️
43:15 – How Chris & Roger first met 🤝
47:47 – Business drives RC success; mayor on growth 📈
50:06 – ~$40M in grants fueling community projects 💰
51:25 – Yoplait sold… what comes next? 🏭
54:15 – Reed City ranked #9 for bike trail access! 🚴
56:46 – Breaking ground: Pocket Park (ice skating, concerts & more) ❄️🎶
59:52 – RC150 weekend packed with events — don’t miss it! 📅
1:01:15 – Thanks, Roger! 🙌
1:03:32 – Dom’s Corrections 📝
1:06:11 – Outro & thanks for watching! 👋

Reed City 150 celebration, RC150 events, Reed City Mayor Roger Meinert interview, Tree Tops Tattoos river cleanup, Big Rapids Matilda show, Swede Hill Skate Park opening, Ready for Life campus Big Rapids, Big Rapids all class reunion 2025, Trino Comedy Magician The PEAKS, Dueling Pianos Big Rapids, Michigan tubing, Big Rapids summer events

#BigRapids #WhatsUpBigRapids #ReedCity150 #RC150 #TreeTopsTattoos #SwedeHillSkatePark #MatildaMusical #ReadyForLife #ThePeaks #TrinoMagic #DuelingPianos #MichiganSummer #SmallTownStrong #CommunityPodcast #BigRapidsEvents #TagToWin #WUBR

💦🛹🍗 Swim Days, Skate Parks & Supporting Angels | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 26

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, the summer sun is blazing but the community is even hotter! ☀️💥 We recap fireworks and demolition derbies, talk heat-beating tips, and celebrate the ribbon cutting at Swede Hill Skate Park. 🛹

Then, we welcome a very special guest — Kim Eastler, Director of Angels of Action, to talk about the incredible programs they’re running:
🍗 Grilled chicken dinners at the fair
🎒 Weekend food programs for kids
🧑‍🍳 Virtual cooking classes
📚 Tutoring and The Giving Shop for families

So much heart, and so many ways to help! 🧡

0:00 – Intro and Welcome 👋
0:50 – Live listener comment + next guest tease 🎧
2:40 – Fireworks review 🎆
4:15 – Pat hits the Demolition Derby in Sand Lake 🚗💥
9:40 – Weekend plans: Burt & Mullet Lakes 🛶
11:15 – Beat the heat! Open swim hours + splashpad 💦
12:23 – Extra Farmers Market day this summer 🥕
14:50 – Ribbon cutting at Swede Hill Skate Park ✂️🛹
16:15 – Jonah Foundation hosts 2nd annual fundraiser 🤝
18:57 – Fall REBOOT event for vets & first responders 🇺🇸
20:44 – Party nights at The PEAKS Event Center 🎉
22:49 – It’s fair time! Angels of Action Chicken Dinner 🍗
24:51 – Welcome Kim Eastler from Angels of Action 🎤
27:11 – Weekend food program growth: 25 kids to hundreds 🧃
28:22 – Tutoring program made possible by volunteers 📚
29:10 – The Giving Shop – free private shopping for families 👕
31:44 – Virtual cooking classes to help feed families 🍳
34:19 – Small things = Big impact 💛
35:07 – How to support Angels (even with little time) 🙏
38:50 – Want to volunteer? Here’s how 💪
39:59 – Get your chicken dinner! 🍗
41:20 – Two simple ways to give back ❤️
42:01 – Kids Day at the Fair – July 9 🎡
43:29 – Thank you Kim & Angels for all you do 🙌
44:55 – Dom’s Corrections 📝
45:50 – Thank yous & Outro 👋

Big Rapids Fair 2025, Angels of Action, Kim Eastler, Big Rapids chicken dinner, Sand Lake demolition derby, skate park Swede Hill, Big Rapids Farmers Market, Big Rapids splash pad, Jonah Foundation fundraiser, REBOOT veterans event, virtual cooking classes Michigan, community podcast Big Rapids

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🎶🥕📍 Music, Markets & Discovering Montcalm | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 25

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we’re kicking off July with fireworks, fairs, farmers markets, and a fantastic guest — Duane Weed from Discover Montcalm! 🎙️

We talk:

• 4th of July Fireworks in Big Rapids (July 3rd!) 🎆

• Big Rapids Fair returns with sulky races, beer tents, BBQ & more 🎡

• Live music every Wednesday night at the Bandshell 🎶

• Library events, summer shows, and why local matters

• Plus, Duane shares powerful stories from the road and reminds us: every community has a story worth telling 📍

Tag us using #WUBR and let us know who we should feature next!

0:00 – Intro 👋
1:20 – Recap on the guys’ weekends ☀️
2:40 – Shout out to the wives behind the scenes ❤️
5:18 – Closer to 2050 than 2000?! 😳
8:36 – Music at the Bandshell every Wednesday 🎶
11:38 – 4th of July Fireworks – July 3rd in Big Rapids 🎆
13:56 – Big Rapids Fair starts next week 🎡
15:29 – Chicken BBQ – support Angels of Action 🍗
16:03 – Sulky Race Tuesday at the fairgrounds 🐎
16:59 – Elks Beer Tent Monday with live music 🍻🎸
17:48 – Big Rapids Library summer events 📚
19:00 – Farmers Market now open Fridays & Saturdays 🥕
20:03 – Tag us! #WUBR 📱
20:20 – Challenges finding new guests 🤝
24:24 – Welcome Duane Weed to What’s Up Big Rapids! 🎙️
26:35 – Getting to know the people behind the signs 🔍
29:09 – Duane shares one of his favorite interviews 💬
31:51 – Sharing communities, not fences 🛤️
34:34 – Reaching out and looking for storytellers 🌟
36:25 – No limits: everyone has a story 🎤
37:37 – DW Multimedia can help your online presence 💻
39:41 – Community Orgs & Band of Locals 👥
41:04 – Teachers & other professions worth featuring 🍎
41:55 – Highlighting events on Discover Montcalm 📅
43:17 – Involving other communities 🤝
44:11 – Making guests into co-hosts?? 👀
45:59 – Chris joins Discover Montcalm soon! 📺
47:05 – Remembering the start of What’s Up Big 🎬
48:10 – Thank you Duane Weed for joining us 🙏
50:20 – Kenzie’s Recaps 📋
50:00 – Outro 👋

Big Rapids fireworks 2025, Big Rapids fair events, Discover Montcalm, Duane Weed, Big Rapids Farmers Market, Angels of Action Chicken BBQ, Michigan sulky race, Big Rapids music series, DW Multimedia, community podcast, Montcalm County stories, Michigan library events

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☀️🎶💙 Heatwaves, High Notes & Heartfelt Moments | What’s Up Big Rapids Ep. 24

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, the heat is on and the community calendar is full! Chris officiated another wedding 💍, High Strung Steel made their debut at Creekfest 🎸, and we take a moment to honor Pat’s cousin, share a prayer for Tuba Bach’s Ed Mallett, and wrap up Chris’s year as Rotary President.

Also in this episode:

• Ribbon cutting at Depot Trailhead Park ✂️

• Extended Splash Pad hours 💦

• Drum Circle, Pridefest, and Airfest are all happening this weekend 🎉

• Plus: fireworks 🎆, tennis, pickleball, BBQ chicken 🍗, and dinner & a show at The Peaks.

Use #WUBR to enter our weekly contest!

⏱️ Time-Stamps

0:00 – Intro and Welcome 👋
1:01 – The heat is real this week ☀️🔥
4:50 – Chris pulls back the curtain on the show’s schedule 🎙️
5:24 – Chris officiated another wedding 💍
9:22 – High Strung Steel debuts at Creekfest 🎶
11:38 – Pat’s Return Event recap 🎉
14:00 – Prayers for Pat’s family on the loss of his cousin 🙏
15:14 – Chris wraps up his year as Rotary President 🎖️
17:35 – Support Angels of Action’s Chicken BBQ at the fair 🍗
20:22 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at the Bandshell 🎵
23:10 – Big Rapids Drum Circle this Friday, 6–8 PM 🥁
24:25 – Ribbon cutting at Depot Trailhead Park ✂️
26:09 – Updates on the theater and Chipotle 🎭🌯
27:30 – Splash Pad hours extended! 💦
29:50 – Airfest is this Saturday from 7–11 AM 🛩️
34:19 – Would you jump out of a plane? 🪂
39:06 – Tennis lessons for kids at Hemlock Park 🎾
41:04 – Fireworks show in Big Rapids 🎆
42:44 – Pridefest Big Rapids is this Sunday 🏳️‍🌈
46:13 – Dinner & a Show Friday night at The Peaks 🍽️🎭
47:48 – Learn to play Pickleball! 🏓
49:15 – Please pray for Tuba Bach founder Ed Mallett 🙏
51:50 – In case of annihilation, our love to all ❤️😅
52:33 – Dom’s corrections and info 📝
53:19 – Use #WUBR to win prizes! 🎁
54:51 – Outro 👋

Big Rapids podcast, Creekfest 2025, Angels of Action BBQ, Big Rapids fireworks, Pridefest Big Rapids, Depot Trailhead Park, Chipotle Big Rapids, Rotary Club Big Rapids, Airfest 2025, Big Rapids splash pad, Hemlock Park tennis, High Strung Steel band, dinner at The Peaks, Dom’s corrections, WUBR contest

#BigRapids #WhatsUpBigRapids #Creekfest #HighStrungSteel #AngelsOfAction #DrumCircle #DepotTrailhead #Airfest #BigRapidsPride #FireworksShow #RotaryClub #BBQChicken #ThePeaks #TubaBach #Pickleball #CommunityEvents #WUBR #MichiganPodcast #LocalNews