Something Fresh
Outdoor farmers markets open for season
Get your bags and baskets ready as area farmers markets open this month. These markets run through the summer months and feature fresh produce from local farmers as well as baked goods, plants and artisans’ ware:
• Kalamazoo Farmers Market, at 1204 Bank St., opens May 2 and runs from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. every Saturday through October. Tuesday and Thursday markets begin in June.
• Portage Farmers Market, which opens May 3, has a new location this year, at 125 W. Centre Ave., just west of the Portage Zhang Senior Center. The market hours are from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sundays.
• Texas Township Farmers Market, 7110 West Q Ave., opens May 9 and runs 8 a.m.–noon Saturdays.
• Richland Farmers’ Market, located at the Richland Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., opens May 20 and runs from 3–6 p.m. Wednesdays.
• Vicksburg Farmers Market, at 300 N. Richardson St., opens May 22 and runs from 2–6 p.m. Fridays.
Something Cheesy
Downtown hosts mac-and-cheese cook-off
Macaroni and cheese, that beloved comfort food, will take many forms on May 9 during Mac N Cheese May-hem, hosted by the Downtown Kalamazoo Collective and I Love Food Kalamazoo.
Attendees will be able to sample a variety of macaroni-and-cheese concoctions prepared by local chefs and vote for their favorites. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the South Kalamazoo Mall.
Tickets are $20 and available at downtownkalamazooshops.com.
Something Prehistoric
Exhibit offers dinosaur adventure
With animatronics, fossils and hands-on activities, an exhibit opening this month at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum offers a new look at dinosaurs.
“Dinosaur Explore” opens May 17 and will feature displays that show the science behind dinosaur adaptations and the connections humans share with these prehistoric creatures.
The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and admission is free.
Something Delicious
May offers a Vegan Chef Challenge
Ten local eateries will offer vegan menu options throughout this month as part of the Kalamazoo Vegan Chef Challenge, with diners having the chance to vote for their favorite meals.
The monthlong event is sponsored by Vegan Kalamazoo and Vegan Outreach. Participating restaurants include Texas Corners Brewing Co., WL Social House, 600 Kitchen & Bar, HUB Tavern + Grill, Mi Pi pizzeria and Re-Fresh Market (both at the Western Michigan University Student Center), Principle, Roca, Water Street Coffee locations, Matcharia and Studio Grill.
For more information, visit veganchefchallenge.org/kalamazoo.
Something Flighty
Watch and celebrate birds this month
Want to know a house wren from a house finch or a junco from a nuthatch? A variety of bird-focused events this month can help you become adept at bird watching.
The Kalamazoo Audubon Society offers two regular walking events focused on bird watching. Its Beginning Birding Walk, held monthly on the nature trails at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery, will be offered at 9 a.m. May 2. Meet at the hatchery’s second parking lot, at 34270 County Road 652, in Mattawan. The organization also offers weekly birding walks on the Kal-Haven Trail at 9 a.m. every Tuesday. For walking route details, visit kalamazooaudubon.org.
The Kalamazoo Nature Center offers two sessions each of two bird-watching programs in May. Birding the Kleinstuck Preserve, set for 8 a.m. May 6 and 13, will allow participants to help conduct a survey of migratory birds within the preserve. Birding with the Pros, set for 8 a.m. May 9 and 12, will offer a guided hike with an expert birder. Registration is required for these events and can be done at naturecenter.org.
Migratory birds will be the topic of two other bird-focused activities:
World Migratory Bird Day Celebration, hosted by the City of Kalamazoo’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at Upjohn Park, 1000 Walter St., and offer bird walks, raptors, crafts and a scavenger hunt. More information can be found at kzooparks.org.
Portage Parks’ May Ranger Hike will focus on migratory and local birds. The guided hike will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. May 18 at the West Lake Nature Preserve, 9001 S. Westnedge Ave. More information is available at portagemi.gov/calendar.
