Battle Cancer

Battle Cancer is an annually recurring nonprofit fundraising event in the heart of downtown Battle Creek at Festival Market Square.

Sunday, June 28, 2026 brings the community together for a full day of music, food, family activities, and fundraising in support of cancer survivors in Calhoun County.

Free to attend. Every penny raised stays in our community.

Schedule of activities

  • Noon – 9:00 PM: Live bands at Festival Market Square
  • 2:00 – 3:00 PM: Service in the Son! Joint worship bands and collaboration of congregations
  • 4:00 – 6:00 PM: Downtown Battle Cancer Scavenger Hunt
  • Noon – 8:00 PM: Food trucks along Jackson Street and McCamly Street
  • Noon – 8:00 PM: Craft vendors along Jackson Street and McCamly Street
  • 1:00 – 4:00 PM: ALURT dive team display, mounted Sheriff deputies, firemen, and smoke house
  • 1:00 – 5:00 PM: Military recruiters on hand
  • 7:00 – 10:00 PM: Silent auction winners claim prizes

Special guests

Mrs. Michigan Tamara Babcock will be present with all of her charm and grace. Alexander the Magician will be entertaining the crowds throughout the day.

Scavenger hunt

The Battle Cancer Scavenger Hunt involves 15 to 20+ downtown businesses. Online registration is $10 per participant. Each player solves clues, scans Battle Cancer QR codes at participating businesses to unlock the next clue, and is guaranteed to win back more in prizes than the entry fee. Clues are randomized to prevent crowding.

Vendors

Vendor booths line Jackson Street and McCambly Street from noon to 8 PM. Local food, retail, and craft vendors are welcome.

Vendors bring their own tents, tables, chairs, signs, and display fixtures — we do not provide booth equipment. Each booth donates one silent auction prize, sized to match the booth (bigger booth, bigger prize). A laminated photo of the prize stays at the silent auction tables outside Kellogg Arena so bidders can see what they’re bidding on without security risk; the prize itself remains with you. Bidding closes at 7 PM and winners come to your booth between 7 and 10 PM to claim.

Booth pricing depends on size and location on the street. To reserve, see the vendor program page or contact DrKinzel@battlecancerbc.org.

Silent auction

The silent auction takes place outside Kellogg Arena. Each vendor contributes a prize proportional to their booth size. Guests browse the prize tables and write down their name, phone number, and donation amount for prizes they want to win. All money goes directly to the Battle Cancer Community Alliance 501(c)(3) account. Winners claim their prizes from the contributing vendors between 7:00 and 10:00 PM.

Contact

Dr. Carl J. Kinzel, DO · 606-422-5036 · DrKinzel@battlecancerbc.org
Tera Kinzel, PharmD · 606-422-4055

Both founders respond best to text messages.

Battle of the Bands

Battle Creek Battle of the Bands is the creation of Penetrator Events and 1T Productions. It was created to help instigate a larger live music scene in the greater Battle Creek area to celebrate local talent.

Battle of the bands does not pretend to be the end all for the live music scene, but rather an addition to what has already been created by so many other promoters, venues and musicians.

For this first 2026 version, the event will showcase cover bands in the rock ‘n’ roll genre.

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SCHEDULE:

May 15, 6pm – Semi-Final #1

New Holland Brewing, Downtown Battle Creek
FREE

July 9, 6pm – Semi-Final #2

Squirrel Hollow, Southside Battle Creek
FREE

September 11, 6pm – Semi-Final #3

Handmap Brewing, Downtown Battle Creek
FREE

November 14, 6pm – Finals

Kellogg Arena, Downtown Battle Creek

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW 

VIP Table Seating: $45

General Admission: $20

GA Early Bird Deal: General admission tickets are just $15 through May 31! 

 

Battle Creek Farmers Market Opening Day

🌿 Join us for the opening day of the Battle Creek Farmers Market 2026 season! Experience an array of local farm vendors, artisan goods, live music, a cooking demonstration featuring spring produce, plus a GIVEAWAY!

We gladly accept SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks!

Interested in becoming a vendor? Get more information HERE!

Want to showcase your brand for thousands to see? Become a sponsor! 

Battle Creek Farmers Market – Ice Cream Social

Head down to Festival Market Square for the Battle Creek Farmers Market Ice Cream Social! 🍦
Enjoy a sweet treat while you learn about the benefits of Double Up Food Bucks and how you can extend your market shopping list!
✨ Free ice cream to the first 100 guests to arrive! Get there early- the market opens at 9am, ice cream will be served starting at 10am!
📅 June 17
📍 Festival Market Square | Downtown Battle Creek

Backyard Burgers and Brews Fest

Backyard Burgers & Brews Festival returns to Downtown Battle Creek! 🍔🍻🎶

Downtown Battle Creek’s favorite end-of-summer bash is back and bigger than ever! Featuring 40-50 mouthwatering food trucks, 9 hopping downtown bars and restaurants, the buzz of the Social District, and live music.

Families, foodies, and fun-seekers unite for one unforgettable evening of flavor, music, and community connection!

Saturday, August 22rd, 2026 | 5pm-10pm

Presented by the Battle Creek Chamber.

🚗 Parking available in the Hamblin Ave Parking Structure

Taste of the Creek

Taste of the Creek is back!

Returning to Downtown Battle Creek on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Head down to Festival Market Square between 2-9 pm on June 6th and enjoy this FREE COMMUNITY event. Come hungry, because the best foods will be available for purchase from the areas best chefs and restaurants. Fun for the whole family!

Battle Creek Winter Wanderland 2025

❄️ Winter Wanderland returns to Downtown Battle Creek! ❄️

Winter Wanderland is a collection of holiday events happening in and around Battle Creek. Join in celebrating this magical time of year and wander all around our beautiful city to get into the holiday spirit. Special events happening December 6, 2025 from 2-8pm.

Event Highlights:

🎄Holiday Market

DoubleTree by Hilton Atrium
Saturday, December 6: 2-8 pm

🎨 Artisans and Makers: Browse handmade crafts by local vendors. Vendor spaces are full.

Event activities include:

  • Santa Meet & Greet
  • The Grinch Meet & Greet
  • Cookie Decorating
  • Chiropractic adjustments & massages

🐎 Horse Drawn Wagon Rides

Festival Market Square
Saturday, December 6: 3-8 pm

Dash through the snow in a one horse open sleigh around downtown Battle Creek. Rides are free of charge. Wagon rides will ONLY operate out of Festival Market Square. Click here to see the wagon ride route.

Rides will be available from 5-8 pm. Wagons can hold 12-14 people and will be running continuously every 25 minutes. Horse drawn wagon rides provided by Twinn Pines Carriages.

ALL WAGON RIDES ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. BE SURE TO GET THERE EARLY TO SECURE YOUR BOARDING PASS TICKET. 

🚃 Mini Polar Express Train Rides

Festival Market Square
Saturday, December 6: 2-8 pm

All aboard! Enjoy a free magical ride around holiday themed track in Festival Market Square!

🎟️ Winter Wanderland events are FREE for all ages!

Bring your holiday spirit and join us for a memorable celebration at Battle Creek Winter Wanderland! 🌟

Friday Nite Beats & Bites – Retro Night

🎶✨ Join us for our Friday Concert Series, Friday Nite Beats & Bites! 🎶✨

Markets will take place June 27, August 22, and October 10 from 6pm-9pm.

🎧🕺 Friday Nite Beats & Bites is a vibrant concert series at the Battle Creek Farmers Market! Enjoy live music from talented bands, savor delicious bites from local food vendors, and shop unique crafts from area artisans. Join us for an evening of great music, tasty food, artisan vendors and community fun!

Check out our Facebook page for a list of Friday vendors!

August 22nd’s night market theme will be Retro Night! 🛼 Throw on your neon, your bell bottoms, or your best grunge look — whatever decade you love most — and meet us at Festival Market Square! 🪩

💿  Music coming soon!

🍔 Current Food Trucks:

  • Kona Ice
  • Scott’s Sweets

10th Annual Backyard Burgers and Brews Fest

The 10th Annual Backyard Burgers & Brews Festival returns to Downtown Battle Creek! 🍔🍻🎶

Downtown Battle Creek’s favorite end-of-summer bash is back and bigger than ever! Featuring 40-50 mouthwatering food trucks, 9 hopping downtown bars and restaurants, the buzz of the Social District, and the electric sounds of Run 4 Cover rocking the 80s and 90s all night long.

Families, foodies, and fun-seekers unite for one unforgettable evening of flavor, music, and community connection!

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 | 5pm-10pm

Presented by the Battle Creek Chamber.

🚗 Parking available in the Hamblin Ave. Parking Structure: $5

Kellogg Arena