Experience Jackson

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Loren Fay, part of the committee planning the Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade, now in its 35th year. The parade falls the Friday before Thanksgiving and marks Santa’s official entrance into town for the season. Learn about some of the details of the 2026 event; including the 250th a...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Ridge and Mariel Frew, owners of Love, Pasta, a family-owned handcrafted pasta restaurant and bar in Jackson, Michigan. They specialize in handmade pasta, from scratch sauces and meatballs. Whether welcoming old friends or making space for new ones, their welcoming, comfortable space...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes John Spink, Owner and Creator of Halloween Nite Lites, a 2-mile Halloween themed light show at Michigan International Speedway. This event, in its second year, plays off of John’s 31 years of experience operating the Christmas Nite Lites Show in the same fashion. Halloween Nite Lites...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Laura Davenport, owner of The Blue Julep, a bakery with southern flair whipping up cakes, cupcakes and cheesecakes for weddings, birthdays and everyday treats in downtown Jackson. Learn how Laura integrates a love of her home state of Kentucky into the community through delicious trea...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Laura Mendez, a committee member who helps plan Parma Day, a celebration of the Village of Parma, which falls early October each year – started in the 1970s. The one-day event features a parade, vendors, foam pit, live music, cornhole tournament, petting zoo, food trucks, community fu...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Kelli Hoover with the City of Jackson to talk about a recently opened venue in downtown Jackson, called City Center (housed in a former Masonic Temple lodge), built in 1908 and designed by renowned architect Claire Allen. City Center is a dynamic community hub aimed at fostering econo...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Michael Klintworth of the Jackson Generals. The Jackson Generals is a new semi-pro hockey league hosted at Optimist Arena in Jackson, with inaugural games kicking off October 2026. Learn about the motivation behind this new team and how you can enjoy some action on the ice with friend...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Travis Marlow, Coordinator of the Jackson College Astronomical Observatory. The observatory opens up a window to the universe, offering students and the community an incredible opportunity to explore the night sky. Travis shares about his connection to the stars and how you can join h...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes John and Chelsea Hess, owners of The Back Nine Jackson, an indoor golf simulator destination perfect for practice, fun and world-class courses, available 24/7. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or interested in learning a new sport, The Back Nine is available for drop-in tees time as w...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Gerald Easton, owner of Otterly Fun Kayak Rental, offering a variety of kayaks, paddle boards and tubes for rent. Guests can choose to pick up equipment or have it both delivered and picked up by us when you're done. Enjoy a hassle-free adventure on the water, with our convenient...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Paige Onweller, Professional Off-Road Cyclist and Founder of Rosie Up, passionate about the sport of gravel bike racing, and bringing others alongside (especially women) the skill and love of racing. She shares about her passion, as well as her interaction and connection to Experience...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Wendy Westers of Westers Family Vineyard and Winery. Located in Rives Junction, directly between Detroit and Grand Rapids, Westers Family Winery is a peaceful and scenic destination offering a blend of rustic charm and timeless elegance perfect for creating your lasting wedding event....

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes social media influencer Josh From England! Josh visited Jackson County with a stop in Brooklyn, Michigan at Michigan International Speedway. After a couple of fast laps around the track, he took time to sign the finish line. Then, he was introduced to his first Jackson Coney Dog and r...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Chris & Jackie Sanford, owners and family behind Sanford Family Beef in Parma. The couple operates a little red farm store on their family farm, featuring cuts of beef like roasts, ground beef and steaks. They also share free recipes, created and tested by generations of family.  ...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Kyle Lewis, the Director of Jackson County Parks, along with Alexa Spencer, marketing intern. This summer, Experience Jackson has teamed up with the parks system to create and host a Jackson County Parks Challenge for residents and visitors alike to explore and discover hidden gems an...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Angela Madden and Jacque Austin, two of the coordinators of the Jackson Hot Air Jubilee, taking place each July at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson. They are also rounding out the third year of hosting the Women's National Ballooning Championship, leading up to the Jubilee. Hot air ball...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Joe DeBoe (founder) and Dawn Cuddie (long-time committee member), two of the coordinators of the Grass Lake Traffic Jam'In. Not only do they share about their love for the village of Grass Lake, but this event that offers a 5K, Fun Run and Walk, car show, live music, vendors, food...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes content creator and local food explorer, Russell Davis IV. Russell had never experienced a coney until recently, as has taken to social media to share his experience with his followers. Learn more about the Jackson style coney (he describes it well) and what it’s like to live in the t...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes John Willis and Kelly Crum, two of the organizers of the City of Jackson’s Juneteenth Celebration for 2026. Three days of activities, including a job fair, political panel, scholarships and the big celebration, honor June 19th and culture in Jackson County! Admission is free, and food...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Bill Hobson, Executive Producer/Host of Michigan Golf Live. On a recent visit to Jackson County. In 1999, Michigan Golf Live Executive Producer/Host Bill Hobson first had the idea for MGL Radio (the TV side was still years down the road) after realizing there was no other radio show t...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Phil Eich of StoryVille. Phil frequently visits Jackson County and helps to capture the stories of the personality and stories behind local businesses, attractions and community initiatives. When you get to know the story of the place you visit, you gain an entirely new perspective du...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Nate Evans (Rolling Toast Rides) and Corey Grazul (Irish Hills Gravel) to talk about biking in Jackson County – both through a new set of coordinated bike and eat/drink rides and the upcoming Irish Hills Gravel (Sat, Oct. 17, 2026). Learn how you can get on the road in a variety of wa...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Alexie Milukhin, Jackson County’s Growth Fellow and implementer of the county-wide 20 year strategic Drive Jackson plan and Build in Jackson Program. As a young professional who has recently returned to Jackson, she gives insight into the great opportunities in Jackson, including outd...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Linda Hass to share about Jackson’s America250 Pathways of Patriotism Exhibit. Linda is not only the City of Jackson ‘s historian, but also a trustee with the Jackson County MI Historical Society and author of a book about the Pathways of Patriotism and how the American Revolution is...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Sara Anne Tomczak, lead faculty of the theatre program and theatre instructor at Jackson College – with an incredible background in theatre in the region. Not only do the community and college students bring performance to the stage, but they hold the ability to make connections and s...