CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY AND MAKING MEMORIES
Fall Festivities in Leslie, Michigan
By Jenny Black
A Small City, Big on Community Support
Located about 28 miles directly south of Lansing and surrounded by numerous creeks and gently rolling hills, downtown Leslie features a true Main Street dotted with shops and restaurants, churches, and parks. If you stop and look around, you’ll see a couple of colorful murals spanning the walls of downtown buildings. The residents of Leslie are a combination of folks who have lived there all their lives and newcomers who have chosen the peace and quiet of living off of the beaten path.
No matter whether your family has been in this area for generations, for just a year, or somewhere in-between, one thing that brings everyone together here is a strong sense of community. People will go out of their way to help each other and if you walk down Main Street, chances are you will see a friendly face.
Part of living in a small community is the opportunity to reach out and be part of events and projects that bring people together in ways that make life more meaningful and memorable. When asked what the community of Leslie means to her, City Clerk Chelsea Cox summed it up this way.
“My community is everything. I am fortunate to be able to live and work in the city of Leslie. Growing up, my parents and grandparents were very active in Leslie. Our family roots run deep in the 49251. As a child, I watched my mom and dad organize and build the Russell Park Playscape, as well as serve on various volunteer boards. The importance of community service and volunteering was embedded in me. Leslie is a small city, but a very proud community.”
The Annual Leslie Fall Festival
One of the ways this strong community spirit comes through is by putting together great fall events year after year. As summer temperatures cool and leaves begin to turn, residents and visitors are treated to lots of ways to savor the season, small-town style.
The Leslie Fall Festival is one of these beloved time-honored annual events. In 2023 the festival was on September 9th, offering a full day and evening of fun for the whole family. If you’re looking for great food, awesome entertainment, and plenty of activities, you won’t want to miss it. Admission and parking for this event are free, thanks to the large number of volunteers, sponsors, and donors. The Fall Festival draws around 3,000 people, from Leslie and the surrounding areas.
In 2022, the Leslie Area Chamber of Commerce took over the running of the Fall Festival, previously run by Chelsea Cox since 2017, and before that run by various entities including the Historical Society, the 175th Anniversary Committee, and the Legion. Dom Ambroggio, President of the Leslie Area Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Main Street Bakery & Cafe, is impressed and grateful for the outpouring of support from local businesses and individuals who are willing to help out with the festival.
“It’s amazing when a community comes together like this,” said Ambroggio. “Whether it be donations, sponsoring an event, or volunteering time and energy, we couldn’t put on this festival without them. This community is our lifeline.”
The Fall Festival will all take place in the downtown area. In Russell Park there is a craft show, which sometimes has over 100 vendors. Also at the park are numerous other activities, including a petting zoo, bounce houses, an escape room, caricatures, carnival rides, mobile gaming, face painting, food trucks, kids games, and more. Topping it off is a free evening movie in the park.
Downtown there is the car show, cornhole tournament, community-wide scavenger hunt, and live music. In 2023 instead of a beer tent the festival featured a ‘social district’ where people walked around town with their friends and festive beverages, listening to the music and checking out local businesses.
“The Fall Festival is a great chance for people to come out and enjoy each other’s company,” Ambroggio said. “We’re happy to provide that space and that opportunity.”
It is also a great way for the whole family to take part in activities without breaking the bank. And the growth of the festival shows how much the community appreciates this type of event.
“The festival has experienced massive growth during the past several years. Its focus has always been to provide our community with budget-friendly and family-friendly events,” Cox said.
More Fall Family Fun
Along with the Leslie Fall Festival, there are a few more events that make this community shine with small-town charm and spirit.
The Hallowed Half and Frightening 5K
The annual Hallowed Half Marathon and Frightening 5k are fun Halloween-themed night time races that take place along country roads, through the cemetery, and finish downtown. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, with a costume contest before the race and refreshments at the end. Participants may race, jog, or walk the course and can expect cheering fans along the way.
The Light Pole Decorating Contest
The annual Light Pole Decorating Contest gives the whole community a chance to get into the fall spirit. Organizations choose a light pole to decorate and then the community gets the chance to vote on their favorite. Whether the decorations have a harvest theme or a spooky Halloween theme, this event makes the whole town look festive for the month of October.
Trick-or-Treating in Town
It is comforting to know that the tradition of trick-or-treating is still a big part of Halloween. Downtown Leslie hosts trick-or-treaters from 5:30 to 7:30 on Halloween. Whether you are handing out candy, walking around with your children, or just want to take a look at all the costumes, this is a fun evening for all.
A Great Place to Call Home
The strength of a community lies in the willingness of residents to give their time, energy, and resources toward a common goal that benefits the community as a whole. The fact that the people of Leslie are able to put together these events year after year is a testament to their strength and generosity. Despite the setback of the Covid 19 pandemic and economic challenges that all small towns face, the spirit here is still strong.
“Our community is resilient. We are continually growing and progressing,” Cox said.
The rewards of living in a generous, resilient community are many. Ambroggio, who lived in a couple different cities before settling in Leslie, where his wife grew up, is happy to call this place home.
“The support here is remarkable. Everyone comes out to events and the willingness of local businesses and people to help is truly inspiring,” said Ambroggio.
For more information about the fall events in Leslie, or if you would like to find out how to get involved, please visit the Leslie Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and the City of Leslie Facebook page.
Community Events and Involvement in Leslie
The Leslie Fall Festival September 9th, 2023
People enjoyed a craft show, food trucks, live music, free movie, social district, cornhole tournament, car show, and much more. Admission and parking were free.
Adopt a Flower-Bed Program
The City of Leslie encourages public involvement in the enhancement of community parks and facilities. The Adopt-a-Flowerbed program is a volunteer-based activity where area volunteer groups “adopt” and maintain designated flowerbeds. If you would like additional information, please contact Chelsea Cox at clerk@cityofleslie.org or call 517-589-8236.
The Leslie Area Historical Museum
This museum has relocated and reopened after being closed for three years. It is located on the main floor of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall at 107 E. Bellevue St. Admission is free and the museum is open from 11am to 2pm Thursdays, and the third Saturday of each month.
The Leslie Outreach Food Pantry & Human Resource Center
Congratulations to the Leslie Outreach on their Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting at their new location at 210 E. Bellevue in downtown Leslie!
Halloween Pole Decorating Contest
People displayed their Halloween spirit and decorated for the chance to win! Prizes were awarded based on voting results. For more information, please contact the Leslie Area Chamber of Commerce at info@leslieareachamberofcommerce.org.
Holiday Window-Display Contest
We want you to help create magic in the 49251! The business display with the most “likes” won bragging rights and claim to the “Traveling Trophy” for the upcoming year.
Leslie’s Lighted Christmas Parade
You won’t want to miss Leslie’s holiday tradition. Enjoy an evening with your community and get into the holiday spirit. In 2023, the Lighted Christmas Parade was on Saturday, December 9th.
CADL Leslie Library
With free events for children, teens, and adults, the library is a great public resource for the community. To learn more about the library events, visit their website at www.cadl.org/about/our-locations/leslie or visit the CADL Leslie Facebook page.
