Experience Jackson

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Beth Kuiper, Executive Director of a new event: Jackson’s Blizzard Bazaar, hosted by the Jackson Downtown Development Authority. On February 22, 2024, experience three separate pockets of Jackson’s retail and restaurant area with activities in between. From a professional ice sculpture display,...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Yvette Wilke, who along with her husband Robert, are the founders and hosts of Jackson’s Black Excellence Awards. They are also owners of RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co in downtown Jackson, which we’ll feature on an upcoming episode. Jackson’s Black Excellence Awards are in their fourth year of...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Holly Peterson, Owner and Winemaker at Sandhill Crane Vineyards. From a wooded, tree-lined entry to log cabin building with wrap around porch, magical lights and fire tables, you’ll be ready to relax and connect the moment you step inside. From wines, to beer, cider and charcuterie, you’ll learn...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Kim Conant, Executive Director of Lost Railway Museum in Grass Lake. This museum highlights the interurban railway and its significance, along with the rise and fall of railway transportation. Inside, you can see two restored historic train cars, one transformed into a virtual train ride called...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Stu Kail, one of the partners at Crossroads Pickleball at the American 1 Community Recreation Center at Keeley Park. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, their dedicated indoor facility is exclusively designed to foster the love of the game - just minutes from Downtown Jackson and only...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Justin Dalenberg, CEO at Grand River Brewery and Doll n Burgers, about Grand River Brewery in Jackson. From the moment you walk in, to the crafting of great beers and wines, Justin shares some of the secrets of how Grand River Brewery came to be, and the variety of care they put into what goes o...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Steve Tucker, the Executive Director of the historic The Michigan Theatre of Jackson. Opened in 1930, the Michigan Theatre has seen generations of national and international performers and presentations, starting with a vaudeville show, and mixing in movies on the big screen. Extravagant gold li...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Toneka Smith, one of the partners with Southside Festival Series. In 2019 Southside Festival Series began providing an annual festival event for small businesses and local organizations to engage customers and clients simultaneously. Since then, this Festival has grown each year and now consists...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Steve Trosin, Executive Director of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. From their community music school, to their formal orchestrated performances, you’ll hear professional musicians bring the music to life in many forms on the stage. Learn about Weatherwax Hall and the building’s history, along w...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Scott Gerych, Board Chair of Michigan’s Military Heritage Museum. Sitting on the site of the former Camp Blair, this museum not only shares the story of Michigan’s military history, but it does so in a perfectly matched location. From uniforms to cannons, military vehicles to artillery, you’ll c...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Sandra Phelan, the Operations Coordinator for the Potter Center at Jackson College. Not only does the Potter Center boast a beautiful complex of indoor theatre space, but also an art gallery while guests wait for world class shows on the stage. From Clint Black, to Hotel California, an Eagles Tr...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes John Spink, Owner/Operator of Nite Lites, a drive-thru Christmas light display at Michigan International Speedway. The tradition of Nite Lites spans 30 years, and is a much-loved tradition from visitors near and far. Learn more about how you can incorporate this into your holiday plans, and some...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Claudina Kestner, General Manager of Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory. Step into an 1890’s style candy shop, complete with nostalgic candies, fresh-made fudge, taffy, roasted nuts and more! It’s not just sweets, it’s a memorable experience. Learn more at https://www.jacksoncandycompany.com/ . Y...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Ed Hatfield, the Chairman of the Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade Committee. The parade, which welcomes thousands to Jackson each year, marks the official start to the holiday season, along with the arrival of Santa himself! This tradition spans multiple decades, as a tradition of a nighttime l...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Daniel Martin with Drinks and Deceptions, a boutique residency magic show located in downtown Jackson. His high-energy performances are a unique fusion of Incredible Sleight of Hand and Playful Sleight of Mind that has been leading to record breaking crowds at theaters, celebrity & top corpo...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Calvin Battles, Adult Services Coordinator at Carnegie Library, a National Historical Site in the city of Jackson. One of many Carnegie Libraries built around the country by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s, Jackson’s branch has a romantic history and unique blueprint among others. Hear about...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Tom Dalin, host of the popular PBS travel show Under the Radar Michigan. Tom and his co-host, Jim Edelman visited Jackson to film a full episode of the show as a part of a Pure Michigan partnership with Experience Jackson. Not only did they eat, eat, eat their way through the area, they stopped...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Kyle Lewis, Parks Director with Jackson County Parks to talk about the new Hurst Foundation Pickleball Complex at Sparks Foundation Park in Jackson. This top-notch, 8-court complex is bustling with energy, and a great spot to stop and get some play in on your visit to Jackson County, Michigan. N...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Shiloh Utterback with Jackson’s Underworld: a 4-story extreme haunted house open each September and October in Jackson. Learn about the multi-layered history of the historic building which held a place in the civil war, among many other businesses throughout time. Now, of course, it’s meant to s...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Jacque Austin, Festival Chair with the Jackson Young Professionals, with a new event in 2023 called the ETA (Emerging Technology in Art) Festival. This FREE inaugural festival will take place on Saturday, October 14, described as a “day of inspiring multimedia performances, interactive art insta...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Josh Solomon, General Manager of JAX 60 in Jackson. It’s not just a bowling, it’s an entertainment center! Make your dinner plans, roll up your sleeves and get your best score in a lane, play along for high-level prizes in their arcade, or make JAX 60 your next corporate getaway or meeting space...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Marketing & Development Manager with Experience Jackson, welcomes Steve Saari, Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional at the Grande Golf Club. With nearly 20 courses in Jackson County, the Grande is a great example of Jackson’s quality courses with desirable greens and affordable rates. The Grande is known for its rating of 4.5 stars from Golf Digest...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan welcomes Judi Ganton, who, along with her husband Lloyd, owns the Ye Ole Carriage Shop in Spring Arbor, a village on the west side of Jackson County. This incredible music not only boasts one of the biggest collections of Jackson-made vehicles on display, but is also home to an impressive Coca Cola room, over 100 pedal cars, a variety of collectors items and t...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan welcomes Tom Knutson, son of the owner of Knutson's Sporting Goods in the village of Brooklyn, on the southeast corner Jackson County. Hear about the wide variety of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor products that this superstore of the outdoors stocks year-round. We also learn more about the 17-foot Paul Bunyon who proudly guards their front door. It’s...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan welcomes Maurice Imhoff, coordinator of the Jackson Civil War Muster, to talk about this major Jackson festival, 36 years in the running. As one of the largest reenactments in the region, you’ll learn about its legacy in Jackson, what to expect when you visit, and even how you could improve your dance skills! This event typically falls the last Saturday and Su...