Daily
Kalamazoo
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
Good morning, Kalamazoo. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 23rd of August.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ City Manager Jim Ritsema said the Parks Department is hosting free events today as summer vacation ends, with pre-movie activities at 6 p.m. including face painting and concessions + a movie on the LED screen at 7 p.m. Families will also join a Paddling 101 session at the beach from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and two back-to-school events + the Anti-Gun Violence Carnival at Lincoln Elementary and the Young Kings and Queens Back 2 School Jam on North Rose Street as classes resume Monday. WKZO
- ➤ The 13th annual Kalamazoo Balloon Fest started on Friday at Gull Meadow Farms and is continuing today with hot-air balloon launches, Balloon Glow at 8:30 p.m., family activities, and food trucks—Sunday events will feature early morning balloon flights from 7 to 9 a.m. and a $10 parking fee applies on Friday and Saturday. WWMT
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ On Aug. 21, a Schoolcraft man testified that he killed his neighbor—Ronald Erickson—on Sept. 29 because he feared his neighbor would set him on fire and claimed self-defense. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ BrickUniverse has brought its touring LEGO fan experience to the Kalamazoo County Expo Center today—showcasing creative displays and interactive building zones where visitors can meet professional builders. The event will continue tomorrow and offers hands-on sessions for fans of all ages. WWMT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Kalamazoo Public Schools approved a $2.4M plan on August 21 to buy 13 new buses for students—two 65-passenger lift buses, six 65-passenger buses, and five 71-passenger buses from Midwest Transit in Marshall. WWMT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Northbound US 131 is closed from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 through 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25 for a new bridge installation as part of a $19 million MDOT project near the business route interchange in Kalamazoo County — crews follow a detour route until the ramp opens permanently in early November. MDOT said more closures will occur later as work continues. MLive
- ➤ On Tuesday, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners approved $725K in awards from the Homes for All millage to support affordable housing amid an 8,000-unit shortfall. The funds will go to local groups—Ministry with Community, Reach Sober Living, Healthy House, South County Community Services, and Resident Opportunities Incorporated—for housing support and repairs. WWMT
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Stevie Wonder Tribute by The Andrew Fisher Quartet
4-5 p.m. — Bronson Park — Free entry — Experience a heartfelt tribute to Stevie Wonder with The Andrew Fisher Quartet in a beautiful outdoor setting.
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Read to Eleanor
3:30 – 5:00 PM — Kalamazoo Public Library - Alma Powell Branch — Free — Spend a cozy afternoon reading to Eleanor, a friendly therapy dog, and take home a book!
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Dungeons & Dragons Game Night
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Kalamazoo Public Library - Washington Square Branch — Registration required — Enjoy a night of adventure whether you're a beginner or an experienced player.
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Family Storytime at Oshtemo Library
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Kalamazoo Public Library - Oshtemo Branch — Free — Enjoy a delightful half hour of books, songs, stories, and interactive playtime for families.
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Dokidokon 2025
All day — Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites Kalamazoo — Tickets start at $10 — Celebrate anime, gaming, and cosplay with a heart at a pirate-themed convention.
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Brush the Block Mural Festival
10 a.m. — Discover Kalamazoo — Free entry — Celebrate creativity as artists transform the city with stunning murals over six days.
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Dokidokon 2025
All day — Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center — Tickets from $10 to $180 — Celebrate all things anime and gaming with a heartwarming community atmosphere and pirate theme.
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SlideDayz at the Zoo
12 PM – 8 PM — Kalamazoo Speedway Inc — Free venue parking — Experience a thrilling combo of drifting and live music in a family-friendly atmosphere.
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Kalamazoo Scottish Festival
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Kindleberger Park — Free entry — Celebrate everything Scottish with music, food, games, and Highland competitions.
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Lego Club for Kids
3-5 p.m. — Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library — Free event — Create unique Lego designs weekly in the children's area.
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