Osceola County

Osceola County is located in the west central portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula. A mostly rural county, residents enjoy small communities, rivers and lakes, and the peace and quiet of the forests and farmlands; however, the County is located close enough to larger communities that residents have access to large-community amenities.

In Osceola County, manufacturers find a reliable workforce. Here, almost 1 ½ times as many people are employed in manufacturing as compared to Michigan as a whole. When not working, residents have easy access to lakes, rivers, parks, snowmobiling, and all of the recreational opportunities that the well-developed rails-to-trails network offers.

Cities

The city of Evart is located in the southeastern portion of the county and is bisected by US-10. It offers easy access to the Pere Marquette Rail-to-Trail, Riverside Park, and the county fairgrounds which hosts a number of activities and the county fair. Evart is a designated Main Street Community, redeveloping its downtown and providing many community activities for all ages throughout the year.

Reed City is located in the county’s southwest corner and is the county seat. It features both the Pere Marquette and White Pine trails. It is the only location in Michigan where two rails-to-trails paths cross. It is also home to the largest Yoplait Yogurt facility in the country.

Arts, Culture, Entertainment

Crossroads Theatre Guild has been the home of local, live theatre in the county since 1986.

Dulcimer Funfest takes place each year during the third weekend in July and is the largest hammered dulcimer festival in the country. It invites musicians and music lovers from all over the country to gather at the Osceola County Fairgrounds in Evart. Some come for just a day, while others stay for the entire 3 day festival.

Evart Summer Concert Series is presented by the Evart Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and offers a little of something for everyone.

Great American Crossroads Celebration is Reed City’s annual family festival.

LeRoy Area Historical Society maintains a museum that catalogs and preserves the history of the pioneers of the LeRoy area, their families, and the history of life in northern Michigan.

Marion Area Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of Marion and the surrounding area.

Marion Old Fashioned Days often features a parade, classic car show, softball games, music, tractor pull, and plenty of children’s activities.

Music and Arts in the Park takes place each summer in Reed City. For more information contact the Reed City Recreation Commission at (231) 832-2245.

Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum is located north of Reed City and celebrates the life of Reverend George Bennard, writer of the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross.” In addition to celebrating its namesake’s life, possessions, and music, the museum also depicts local life before 1900. It has displays of early farm equipment, shop tools, models of early logging operations, Native American artifacts, an antique fire hose cart, and a 1930’s era fire truck.

Osceola County 4-H/FFA Fair and Fairgrounds continue traditions started in 1875 when the county started having county fairs. The fairgrounds are also open to camping, community room rental, and hosts several large events each year.

Osceola League for Arts & Humanities (OLAH) is an art studio for teaching and promoting local artists. The Crossroads Theatre Guild and Osceola Quilt Trail are also part of OLAH.

Osceola Quilt Trails are part of a volunteer public art movement which celebrate rural heritage, traditional arts, and involve area residents. The Osceola Quilt Trail is a self-guided driving tour featuring over 95 boldly painted 8’x8’ and 4’x4’ quilt blocks on barns, businesses, homes, and other buildings. The Osceola Quilt Trail is one of the largest quilt trails in the country.

Community Involvement

4-H Clubs is a community of more than 100 universities that works to educate kids through hands-on, leadership-oriented programs in agriculture, citizenship, health, and science.

American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. Joseph W. Guyton, MI Post 236; 231.734.5649

AMVETS works to represent the interests of 20 million veterans. AMVETS is open to and fighting for all who honorably served in the United States military, including the Reserve and Guard.

Fraternal Order of Eagles operates nationally and donates more than $10 million a year to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more.

General Federation of Women’s Clubs members work in the community to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.

Lions Clubs Evart Township Hall 327 S. Main St. Evart, MI

Loyal Order of the Moose 200 N Roth St, Reed City, MI 49677; 231.832.2561

Mecosta Osceola United Way works for people to get better jobs and achieve financial stability, students to graduate high school ready for college and careers, and individuals to lead healthier lives.

Mid Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters builds successful mentoring relationships for children, contributes to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities.

Northwest Osceola Food Pantry provides food on an emergency and temporary basis, for those in need and who reside within the service area.

Osceola County Community Foundation makes grants from a collection of permanent endowments to benefit the community.

Rotary Club funds service projects that change lives both locally and worldwide.

Veterans of Foreign Wars works to support veterans service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. 231.734.5950

Multicultural Resources

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is a federally recognized band of Chippewa (a.k.a. Ojibwe) Indians located in central Michigan.

Tribal Service Area Map

Sports, Leisure, Water

Campgrounds:

Cadillac Wood Campground (Tustin)
Hammarstead Lake Campground (LeRoy)
Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground (LeRoy)
Rose Lake Park (LeRoy)
River Country Campground (Evart)
Mud Lake State Forest Campground (Evart)
Riverside Park Campground (Evart)
Blodgett Landing Campground (Village of Hersey / Hersey)
Crittenden Park (Osceola County / Sears)
Rambadt Park (Reed City)
Village of Marion (Marion)
Old Log Resort and Campground (Marion)

Clubs:

Evart Car Club is a social organization dedicated to the enjoyment of all types of automobiles and personal transportation. Activities include the Annual Car Show and the Annual Car Cruise.

Marion Rod & Gun Club was established in 1932 and sits on 77 acres northwest of Marion. It features a modern, heated clubhouse and offers trap and skeet, with lights; a 14 station, 50-100 bird sporting clays range with flyers, rabbits, and squirrels; a heated, designated 5-stand; a pistol range; and a 25-200 yard rifle range.

Reed City Sportsman Club is located east of Reed City and features 2 trap and skeet fields as well as a pistol and rifle range.

Pere Marquette Snowmobile Club sponsors the White Pine and the Pere Marquette trails by maintaining and grooming 102 miles going through 5 counties in mid-Michigan.

County Parks:

Crittenden is located approximately two miles south of Sears in Orient Township. It borders the eastern shore of Big Lake in a grassy setting with many large shade trees. It features a number of activities and amenities such as 70 modern and 10 rustic campsites, a pavilion and grills for groups, campground store, playground, basketball court, volleyball court, swimming, DNR boat launch, and fishing.

Rose Lake Park is located approximately three miles northeast of the Village of LeRoy in Rose Lake Township. It sits adjacent to Rose Lake among beautiful pines and hardwoodsThe campground features a number of activities and amenities such as 151 modern and 12 primitive campsites, a 1,300 foot swimming beach, an 18 hole mini-golf course, two large pavilions and grills for groups, two playgrounds, a boat launch, campground store, shuffleboard, basketball court, baseball diamond, and fishing.

Fishing:

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified 21 of the county’s lakes as locations to fish. Additionally, both the Pine and Middle Branch Rivers are listed in the DNR’s guide, Michigan’s Best Fly Fishing Streams for Wild Trout.

Golf Courses:

Hunting:

Osceola County offers many opportunities for the hunter, including 995 acres of the Osceola-Missaukee Grasslands State Game Area.

Osceola-Missaukee Grasslands State Game Area Map

Off Road Trails:

Osceola County DNR Forest Roads Map

The Evart Motorcycle Trail is a 22 mile, Michigan DNR, motorcycle-only trail set in the Pere Marquette Forest.

Rails-to-Trails:

The Pere Marquette State Trail and White Pine Trail intersect at the Reed City Depot, a reconstructed replica of the historic downtown railroad depot, in Reed City. As a result, trail users can travel either east-west or north-south. Activities on the trails include walking, biking, rollerblading, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. Both the Pere Marquette and White Pine trails are wheelchair accessible.

Pere Marquette State Trail is a 55 mile-long trail running east-west through Clare, Lake, and Osceola counties. Almost the entire distance is hard surface (crushed limestone or paved). A trailhead with parking lot and restroom is located in Reed City and Evart. Downtown amenities are easily available. The Reed City trailhead also has a pavilion, picnic tables, and fire pit.

White Pine Trail is an almost 93 mile-long trail running north-south between Grand Rapids and Cadillac. It is the second longest trail in Michigan. Fourteen of the 24 miles in Osceola County are paved. A trailhead with parking lot, restroom, pavilion, picnic tables, and fire pit is located in Reed City. Downtown amenities are easily available.

Food & Craft Beer

Horseshoe Bar is a casual, family friendly place to grab a drink and a bite to eat in the Village of Marion. Serves lunch and dinner.

Lamplighter Café

Mishler’s Drive In is a seasonal drive-in open May through September. Serves lunch and dinner.

Mr. Pibs Restaurant is a family style restaurant located directly on the White Pine Trail in LeRoy, Michigan. Their direct trail access makes it the perfect stop while bicycling or snowmobiling for a fun, relaxing meal. The menu is inspired by locally grown products that change with the seasons. Their slogan, “commit to the Mitt,” reflects their local food sourcing.

Pere Marquette Bistro and Catering is both a sit-down restaurant and a catering company. The restaurant features many different menu items, all of which are able to be modified to fit customers’ tastes.

Pompeii’s has been serving hot, fresh, and delicious pizza for almost 35 years.

Seven Slots Grille offers home cooking with a friendly atmosphere for breakfast and lunch.

Sunny’s Sports Bar & Grill offers the perfect ambience to relax and indulge in a variety of delectable food. If you are on a tight schedule, they even have takeout.

The Gathering Place Restaurant & Gift Shop offers guests the chance to grab dinner, have a look around at their primitive country craft store, or stop in at the bakery for a snack.

K-12 Education

Public:

Private:

Daystar Christian Academy (Elementary and High School)
Trinity Lutheran School (Pre K-8)

Childcare

Kiddies Klubhouse, LLC offers part-time, full-time, and school calendar schedules. Childcare provided for infants, toddlers, preschool, and before and after school ages.

Kids Kountry Day Kare offers home childcare with a preschool curriculum located in a large, country setting. Thirty years of experience.

Care.com allows families to search for, qualify, vet, connect with, and ultimately select caregivers in a low-cost, reliable, and easy way.

Healthcare

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital – Hello West Michigan Member

Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center

Retirement Living

AARP Reed City

Osceola County Commission On Aging offers services which include Medicare/Medicaid Assistance, Meals on Wheels, home health aides, homemaking, transportation, respite, and communal meal sites.

Pleasantridge Manor – Adult Foster Care for the Elderly is a 9 bed adult foster care home located in Marion, Michigan. It offers around the clock care for the elderly for over 15 years and is considered to be a home away from home.

Reed City Fields Assisted Living is located near the crossroads of US-10 and US-131. It offers both basic and personalized services.

Reed City Senior Center 231.832.3340

Did you know?

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