Island Park Arts Pavilion to open Aug. 5 with ribbon cutting and concert
The Island Park Arts Pavilion, a project four years in the making, is set to open next month.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 at Island Park. The event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and musical performances from one-man acoustic rock band Jim McKeith and the Central Michigan Area Concert Band. The Cruisin' Chef Food Truck will be selling food at the event.
The pavilion was created by Mount Pleasant freshman Taylor Idema for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. She pitched the idea in 2016 at the United Way's Pitch-Er event and won first place, with a $5,000 award to launch the project. Since then, she has worked with Mount Pleasant's Parks Department to build the pavilion.
Idema raised more than $200,000 through grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe 2 percent Distribution and donations from many local businesses and organizations.
Idema said she wanted to this pavilion to be a place for members of the Mount Pleasant arts community to utilize.
“Mt. Pleasant is an active community with many talented citizens interested in not only attending fine arts events, but performing in them as well," she said. "The Island Park Arts Pavilion provides a venue for local citizens of all ages to perform, and enjoy a myriad of events close to home.”
To reserve the arts pavilion for events and performances, contact the Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation Office.
