8:00 am 19th Annual Run/Walk Thru Sparta
              Starts at Sparta Middle School
              Sponsors: The Club Fitness & Tanning
              5K (3.1 mi) Run & Walk and Fun Team or Family Competition.
              Awards & prizes. Fun, family atmosphere. Register online at
              www.runthrusparta.com or on location Fri 5-7 pm and race morning
              6:30-7:45 am. Questions? Contact Margeurite at 887-1116.
 

8:40 am Children’s Fun Run - FREE EVENT
              at the Sparta High School Track
              Sponsor: Farm Bureau Insurance, Martin J. Anderson Agency
              12 years and younger. Register online at www.runthrusparta.com
              or on location Fri 5-7 pm and race morning 6:30-7:45 am.
              Questions? Contact Margeurite at 887-1116.
 

8 am to Men’s Softball Tournament at Nash Field
9 pm     Men’s double elimination. Competition starts at 8:00 am.
             Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. 7 teams maximum. For more
             info call Hank Bolt 887-0151.
 

9 am Sparta Fire Dept. Waterball Contest
         on Division St. between State & Union
         Sponsor: Veldt Builders and Remodelers &
         Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home
         Come and see our S.F.D. battle it out with other area
         departments. A must-see event!
 

9 am to Visual Arts Exhibition
2 pm     at the Sparta Twp. Library, 80 N. Union St.
             Sponsor: Ad Solutions
 

9 am to  Friends of the Library Book Sale
1:30 pm at the Sparta Twp. Library
              Used & collectible books.
 

9 am to Myers Schoolhouse Museum at 13 Mile Rd. & Division
Noon    Special Feature: THE HISTORY OF THE APPLE SMORGASBORD
             For more info, call 887-8535. Permanent exhibits include antique
             woodworking tools, Military Room with uniforms and pictures
             from Sparta residents, Sparta High School class composites, and
             antique quilts in an old schoolhouse setting.
 

9 am to Craft Show in Balyeat Field
4 pm
 

9 am to West Michigan Emergency, Military
4 pm     and Professional Vehicle Show on E. Division St.
             Want to show off your hearse, fire truck, police vehicle, wrecker, military
             vehicle, ambulance or other service vehicle? RSVP to Thom Heugel by
             July 4 to (616) 260-7284. Lights & Sirens parade at 2 p.m.
 

9 am to 11th ANNUAL CAR & TRUCK SHOW in Balyeat Field RAIN or SHINE
4 pm     Platinum Sponsor: Sparta Lion’s Club
             Gold Sponsors: American Gas & Oil,
             Premier Auto & Truck Parts, Metro PCS
             Silver Sponsors: Handy Wacks, Auto Value of Sparta,
             Lane & Reed Insurance, Sparta Chevrolet,
             Sparta Tire Service, Ottawa Kent Insurance
             Registration 9 am - Noon. Vehicle Registration Fee $10 (half
             of Registration Fee going to the Mary Mroz Family.)
             No Judging! DJ & Door Prizes. Dash plaques for first 100
             entries. People’s Choice Award voted by the public for a $1
             donation to benefit the Mary Mroz Family in cooperation with
             the American Cancer Society! Need more information?
             Call Darrel (616)295-1408.
 

9 am to Commercial Expo in Balyeat Field
6 pm     Area businesses, local organizations and independent
             consultants showcase their goods, products and services.
             Support Sparta – Buy Local!
 

10 am to Michigan Child ID Program
2 pm       at the Masonic Temple
              Sponsor: Sparta Masonic Lodge #334 and The Grand Lodge
              Free child kit includes color photograph, brief video, laser scan
              fingerprints, dental impression, DNA. Update your kit every 2
              years. All information collected is given to parent or guardian.
 

10 am to Lakatos Art Open House 11 Pleasant Street
2 pm       Art show in Marilyn Lakatos’s 1860’s home that doubles as a
               art gallery & backyard studio. Historical oil paintings &
               charcoal portraits shown. Corner of Pleasant and W. Division.
 

10 am to RRXX Locomotive Tour
2:30 pm  on Elm St., between Division Ave. and Gardner St.
               Sponsor: Marquette Rail
               Visit the train and climb aboard an active locomotive and
               caboose! Bring a camera and take pictures ABOARD the full
               size train!
 

10 am to Old Fashioned Ice Cream at Dollar ‘N More
5 pm       Antique, powered, old fashioned, homemade ice cream machine.
               Watch it work and enjoy the old fashioned flavor.
 

10 am to Scouting Rummage Sale in the Civic Center Parking Lot
5 pm       All profits go to Sparta Cub Scout Pack 3280.
 

10 am to Railroad Depot Open House N. Union & Mark St.
5 pm       Come and tour Sparta’s 115 year old Depot, Caboose and
               Motor Cars. Fantastic replica model railroad in the Box Car.
 

10:30 am Hospitality Area & Restrooms at Sparta Baptist Church
                until after Free refreshments & hot dogs. Stick around to watch the parade.
                Parade along the parade route, corner of State St. & Division. The
                building will be open for bathroom use, too!
 

11:30 am Balyeat Bags 2009 in Balyeat Field
                Sponsors: Downtown Trini’s & Margarita Joe’s,
                Kent City Medical Center - Dr. Denis Edwards
                A 2 division, double elimination cornhole Tournament with cash
                prizes to the top 3 in each division. Registration forms available
                www.spartafair.com Questions? Contact Ryan at 262-2885 or
                spartacornhole@gmail.com
 

11 am Caleb Rebh Memorial Speed Horse Show
           Country View Stables, 3325 – 14 Mile Rd. NW
           Sponsors: Die-Tech Engineering, Truck Repair Service,
           Fillmore Equipment
           This National Barrel Horse Association Show attracts some of the
           best barrel racers in the state. Bring chairs or blankets and the
           family for some action packed entertainment. Follow signs out to
           the Countryview Stables.
 

11 am to    “Apple-opolis” Kids Town in Rogers Park
7 pm           Discover a brand new town just for kids with a bank, library,
(closed       pizza place, car wash, barn, and more! Fun with fire fighters
for parade) and police officers! Leave your mark on the grafitti wall!
 

11 am to     Water Balloon Wars in Balyeat Field
7 pm           Hosted by: Kent City Wrestling Club
(closed       It’s every man for himself in water balloon combat in a
for parade) paintball-style obstacle course.
 

11 am to    Painting Flower Pots on Library Drive
7 pm          Paint a pretty flower pot. Donations benefit Appleview Schoolyard
(closed      Habitat - where wildflowers, grasses, trees, and children grow!
for parade)
 

Noon to Bingo in the Civic Center
5 pm      Hosted by: Women of the Moose Chapter #111
              Classic Bingo fun. Food Available.
 

Noon to La Placita de los Niños on Library Drive
4 pm      Hosted by: Sparta Area Migrant Resource Council
              Activities for children: games, arts & crafts, and piñatas filled with
              candies for all to enjoy. Free books sponsored by Telamon Corp.
              Children’s Activities that include face painting, crafts, games & piñatas.
 

Noon to Petting Zoo in Library Park
6 pm      Hosted by: Independent Bank
              All types of farm animals…. Hands on petting zoo while the Jolly
              4-H’ers explain and help learn about these animals. Always
              remember to wash your hands after visiting the animals.
 

Noon to Wacky, Wild & Weird Hair on Library Drive
6 pm      Hosted by: Fifteen East Style Studio
              Chair massage and wacky hair & more!
 

Noon to Fatal Vision Goggles in ChoiceOne Parking Lot
6 pm     Hosted by: Sparta Police Department
(closed These eye-opening goggles are used to show members of the
for         community how they actually drive when under the influence
parade) of alcohol and how each person’s reaction time has slowed.
 

Noon to Carnival Rides in the Village Parking Lot
Close     Unlimited Ride Armband 5p-Close for $17
              (for coupon click here or stop by Downtown Businesses)

Noon to    Entertainment Tent in Balyeat Field
11:59 pm Sponsor: Bow Tie Tavern
                No Cover Charge. $2 beers Noon-6! Only those 21 & over
                admitted after 8 p.m. A VALID PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.
                Please remember that friends don’t let friends drive drunk.
                Live Music in Balyeat Field
                Sponsors: West Side Beer Distributors,
                WB Haulers & Storage, Bayes Water Treatment
                Live Music starts at 4 pm with The James Reeser Band. Next at
                6 pm is the local favorite Union Guns. The evening ends with OTC!
 

Noon 3rd Annual John Beuschel Memorial
          Antique Tractor Pull
          at the Sparta Airport, 9100 Vinton NW
          Sponsor: Beuschel Sales, Fillmore Equipment
          ENTRANCE ON VINTON south of 11 mile!
          Antique tractor 1955 and older. $10 per class entry fee. Pull
          on transfer sled. Call Harvey Noon at (616) 642-6239 for reg.
          info. Admission: $4.00-over 12 yrs. old, $1-11 and under.
          Concessions Available. Flat River Antique Tractor Club Rules.
 

1 pm “Firestorm” Karate Demo N. Union & E. Division
          American Martial Arts Institute presents “Firestorm”,
          performing all kinds of martial arts entertainment.
 

1 pm Arm Wrestling Competition in Balyeat Field
         Men, women, and children welcome. Weigh-ins required for
         men-8 am to Noon. Parent signature if under 18. Trophies for
         all divisions. Call Matt & Tara Bourdon at (616) 636-5906 for
         more information.
 

2:30 pm PARADE
             Sponsor: Sparta Dowtown Development Authority,
             ChoiceOne Bank
             Grand Marshal: Leonard “Boz” Feerick
             Commentated with bleacher seating at Union & Division.
             Spectators: Please keep your kids curbside for safety!
 

4 pm to Remote Control Aircraft Demo at the Old Rodeo Grounds
8 pm     The Wolverine Skyhawks will put on a FREE demonstration of
             Sport and Aerobatic maneuvers with gas, electric and glow
             powered RC aircraft. Enter through the 13 Mile Rd. gate.
 

5 pm Bike Giveaway at the Balyeat Field Bridge
         Sponsor: Schmidt Amusements
         Enter to win. One boys bike and one girls bike will be given away.
         Winners MUST be present to win.
 

5 pm USLMRA National Lawn Mower Races
         at the Sparta Airport, 9100 Vinton NW
        Sponsor: Four Seasons Yard & Sport
        Benefiting Huntington’s Foundation of MI. Racing rain or
        shine. Admission $5.00 per person over age 12. Pit pass
        $5.00 www.letsmow.com Concessions available. Bring your
        own lawn chairs.
 

6 pm to   Las Vegas Night
Midnight at the North Kent Eagles Club, 186 E. Division
              Open to the public. Entertainment by The Bimini Brothers.
              Pull tabs available.
 

6 pm Garden Tractor Pulls in Balyeat Field
         Hosted by: Judgment Day Puller
 

6:30 pm Cowboy/Cowgirl Church
              Country View Stables, 3325 – 14 Mile Rd. N.W.
              Sponsor: Brew Taxidermy
              This is an open-air church service with a focus on Jesus.
              Everyone is welcome. Please bring lawn chairs for seating.
              Follow signs to arena.