GLADSTONE — The City of Gladstone and Maple Ridge Township have been awarded grants from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The grants were awarded through the MCACA peer review process for MCACA fiscal year 2022 funding.

“Grants like this really help support the arts in communities that are off the beaten path and in general improve the quality of life and opportunities in small communities,” states Gladstone City Manager Eric Buckman.

Mike Lepisto, Maple Ridge Supervisor comments, “Cultural events for rural residents are few and far between and usually require traveling a great distance to enjoy. Bringing art events to a rural area is a great opportunity for everyone and helps us to build a sense of community”.

Organizations receiving MCACA grant awards are required to match funds with other public and private dollars. Local support of the Gladstone and Maple Ridge programs include in-kind services, local city and township funds and donations and foundation funds.

Both communities will utilize the grant money to host bands which will include wide variety of music. Gladstone will host bands at their Farmers Market, downtown on Monday afternoons and in the Park, Thursday evenings. Maple Ridge Township will hold a series of concerts called “ROCK the Park” downtown Rock on Wednesday evenings. From folk music to Rock and Roll, there will be something for everyone.

The “Rock” the Park series in Maple Ridge Township will run weekly beginning the second week of July on Wednesday evenings at the gazebo in downtown Rock.

The Gladstone concerts will be held on Mondays at the Farmers Markets from 3PM-6PM and on Thursdays in the Park starting in June.