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101 Things To Do In Hillsdale County

1. Enjoy the day on the midway at the “Most Popular Fair on Earth”, Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale
2. Uncover a hidden treasure while antique shopping in Allen and throughout the county
3. Hike Lost Nations or the North Country Trail
4. Tackle one of the many lakes, ponds, rivers and streams
5. Visit Slayton Arboretum, Hillsdale, see the gardens, stone gazebo, waterfall and bridges
6. Bargain hunt Saturdays at the auction and farmers market on the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale
7. Dig up family roots at the Mitchell Research Center, Hillsdale
8. Race fans, start your engines with a weekend stay in Hillsdale County, a short drive from Michigan International Speedway
9. Enjoy a famous burger at Ray’s Tavern, Reading, as noted in USA Today
10. Be amazed by autumn splendor with a fall color drive around Hillsdale County
11. Gather for a concert at the Gospel Barn, Hillsdale every Saturday (spring through fall season)
12. Get your act together with a performance at Sauk Theater, Jonesville
13. Pick the perfect pair, munchies and a movie at Premiere Theatre, Hillsdale
14. Take a spin around the go cart track, enjoy a rousing round of putt putt golf or hit a bucket of balls at the driving range, Silos Fun Park, Hillsdale
15. Leaf through rare and unique books while visiting antique shops around county
16. Pick your way through the county corn mazes
17. Picture yourself at one of many Hillsdale County art shows
18. Savor the flavor of fresh picked corn on the cob during the annual Litchfield Sweet Corn Days in August
19. Join the morel mushroom hunt at Osseo’s Heritage Day in May
20. Tempt your tummy in April at the annual Taste of Hillsdale County hosted by the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce, County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale
21. Journey down the Old Sauk Trail, the US 12 National Heritage Route winding through a 25 mile section of Hillsdale County
22. Locate the tri-state marker at the corner of Hillsdale, Steuben and Williams Counties
23. Take a trip to the poorhouse - the Will Carleton Poorhouse in Hillsdale, made famous by Michigan poet Will Carleton
24. Weave your way into the annual Wicker Works sale, Hillsdale
25. Experience wet and wild fun at the hydroplane and jet ski races on Baw Beese Lake, Hillsdale
26. Applaud a Hillsdale College Tower Players theatre production or Hillsdale Collegeconcert, Hillsdale
27. Walk, skate or ride the bike path in Hillsdale and Jonesville
28. Get down and dirty in August at the Camden Mud Bogs, Chester Park
29. Be privy to the outhouse races at North Adams Heritage Days in August
30. Gallop over to the Bill Jackson Horse Show in June at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale
31. Motor into Camden for a Tuesday night cruisin'
32. Stroll through the Litchfield City Square and see a replica of the Curfew Bell made famous by Rose Hartwick Thorpe’s poem “The Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight”
33. Celebrate Labor Day in Waldron at the parade, chicken barbecue and 24 hour softball tournament
34. Step back in time at the annual Grosvenor House Museum Victorian Christmas, Jonesville
35. Explore Hillsdale County's natural side throughout four season's of splendor
36. Sample the sounds of an Arts Chorale concert
37. Bargain hunt at the many annual garage sales
38. Park your RV, pitch a tent or rent a cabin in one of the many campgrounds
39. Sharpen your shooting skills at the Hillsdale County Conservation Club, Osseo
40. Catch some cash and prizes at the Tip Up Festivals in Reading and Hillsdale
41. Appreciate fine art in the Daugherty Gallery, Hillsdale College Sage Center, Hillsdale
42. Witness the spectacular painted skies as the sun sets at one of the county parks or lakes
43. Meander through local greenhouses for annuals, perennials, trees, exotic plants, cacti and succulents
44. Cheer on the Chargers at a NCAA Division II Hillsdale College football or basketball game, Hillsdale
45. Get hooked on fishing at the many lakes, rivers and ponds
46. Anyone "FORE" golf at one of the five golf courses
47. Dance in the dark in the concert in the park during the Annual Hillsdale County Car Show & Summerfest, Owen's Park, Baw Beese Lake, Hillsdale
48. Got GPS? Try geocaching in Lost Nations, Osseo/Pittsford
49. Relish a taste of Americana at the Coney Hut Drive Inn, Jonesville
50. Laugh your behind off at Savarino’s Comedy Club, Hillsdale
51. Sip a sample of fresh apple cider at Glei’s Orchards & Greenhouses, Hillsdale
52. Land a great breakfast at the Hillsdale Exchange Club's Annual Fly In Breakfast in June, Hillsdale Municipal Airport, Hillsdale
53. Race up the creek (with a paddle) at the annual Jonesville Riverfest on the St. Joseph River, Jonesville
54. Celebrate America's independence at a 4th of July fireworks show
55. Fiddle away in August at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds during the North Central Regional Annual Fiddlers Convention, Hillsdale
56. Let your taste buds vote at Hillsdale Kiwanis Club's Annual Chili Cook Off in March, Hillsdale High School, Hillsdale
57. Pick a peck of perfect berries from a local berry patch
58. Shop the 25 mile Hillsdale County stretch of the 212 mile long yard sale on US 12 in August
59. SOLD! Bid on bargains and treasures at a local auction
60. Climb Goliath at Kimball YMCA Camp, Reading
61. Catch a glimpse of Hillsdale County's past at the Historical Society Museum during the county fair, Hillsdale
62. Bag the big one hunting for sport or trophy throughout the county
63. Cement a memory with McCourtie Park's concrete bridges, birdhouses and sculptures in Somerset Center
64. Gather for Sunday brunch buffet in the Grewcock Student Union at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale
65. Leap to Montgomery for the annual Frog Eye Festival in July
66. Cut your own Christmas tree at a local Christmas tree farm
67. Muster up a good time at the annual Civil War Battle Reenactment, Will Carleton Poorhouse, Hillsdale
68. Toss a round of Frisbee golf at Owen's Park, Baw Beese Lake, Hillsdale
69. Net quality time with family during Free Fishing Weekends (February and June)
70. Strike or spare, while you’re there have fun bowling with the family
71. Uncover clues throughout Hillsdale County in the October Annual Lewis Emery Treasure Hunt, Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale
72. Create new memories while scrapbooking the night away at the Rose Corner Inn, Hillsdale
73. Improve your golf game at the driving range or with a lesson from Clor's Outpost, Osseo
74. Pay homage to America's fallen heroes at the annual Pittsford Memorial Day Parade
75. Beat the summer heat with a swim at Sandy Beach, Hillsdale or in the Litchfield Community Pool, Litchfield
76. Walk for the cause in the American Cancer Society Annual Relay for Life in June at Hillsdale Community Schools, Hillsdale
77. Rumble and ride your motorcycle at the annual Hospice Thunder Ride in conjunction with the Hillsdale County Car Show, Owen's Park, Baw Beese Lake, Hillsdale
78. Bid on a pig, a pen of chickens or the prize winning steer at the annual 4-H auction,Hillsdale County Fair, Hillsdale
79. Observe the Sultana Monument located on the courthouse lawn recognizing 280 fallen Civil War soldiers from Michigan who perished aboard the ship during the worst maritime tragedy in US history, Hillsdale
80. Learning + fun = annual Kid's Fest in June, Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, Hillsdale
81. Rent a canoe and ride the rivers, bring your boat and take a float
82. Promenade to the produce, frequent the fruit and ogle the organic vegetable stands around the county
83. Rollerblade, roller skate inside or out, no matter how you twist it there will be fun about
84. Witness witches, ghosts and goblins galore at the annual Reading Halloween Parade, Reading
85. Watch history come alive at the Annual Cemetery Tour in June hosted by the Historical Society, Hillsdale
86. Craft some fun at the many holiday bazaars
87. Come sail away with the radio controlled boat regatta at Lewis Emery Park hosted by the Michigan Scale Boat Club
88. Roll on over to the Amish bakery near Camden for some "kneaded" baked goods
89. Wander off the beaten path and discover unique handmade wares by local artisans
90. Browse bargains, peruse the parade and harness some fun at the horse pulls during Reading Festival Days, Reading
91. Sweeten your senses with pure Michigan maple syrup made locally
92. Saucy smiles guaranteed in June at the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce Ribfest during the Annual Car Show & Summerfest, Owen's Park, Baw Beese Lake, Hillsdale
93. Wish your duck luck in the annual Domestic Harmony Duck Derby at Jonesville Riverfest, Jonesville
94. Runners take your mark, get set and GO! to the annual Gina Relays at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale
95. Play Ball! Building future hall of famers at the Fields of Dreams, Hillsdale
96. Pass, dribble and shoot at the 3 on 3 basketball tournaments
97. Capture a view from the top, at Hillsdale County's highest point, corner of Wood & Kelso Roads
98. Slide down College Hill on your saucer, sled or toboggan, Hillsdale
99. Visit the Potawatomi Indian tribe monument at the corner of Squawfield and Waldron Roads
100. Take note, enjoy concerts at Mrs. Stock's Park throughout the summer, Hillsdale
101. Get your motor runnin' at the Annual Hillsdale County Car Show & Summerfest the weekend following Father's Day, hosted by the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce, Owen's Park - Baw Beese Lake, Hillsdale