Children are encouraged to be archers.

Great Lakes Longbow Invitational was held at Charlton Park in August. There were many courses to practice on including the 3D courses, Turkey Shoot, Braveheart and Stinking Fish. Vendors were present to help with your equipment needs for the weekend and beyond.

Children were given instruction in handling the bows and arrows and shooting correctly. There was a special shooting area for the children with targets that appeal to them.

3D course at Charlton Park during the Great Lakes Longbow Invitational

To see event photos, please click here.

Barry County Relay for Life walk 2010

The Barry County Relay for Life was a huge success again this year.

Organizers, volunteers and contributors are all feeling pride in this years rally held at Tyden Park in Hastings. $133,192 was raised surpassing this years quota of $129,000. Spectators who visited Tyden Park Friday night said they were overwhelmed by the sight of hundresd of luminaries that lit the walker’s path. The caring spirit of Barry County has been shown once again by the turnout of survivors, visitors and medical staff members.

Hundreds of candles were lit for cancer patients of Barry County

Mayor May with his family at Relay for Life

Vietnam Legacy rides through Hastings

Hastings welcomed men and women motorcycle riders on Saturday, August 7 as they passed through on their way to the Hastings Airport. This event was a chance for people to give Vietnam era veterans the welcome home they didn’t get when they returned from service in the Vietnam conflict.

To see photos of the bikers making their way through Hastings, click here.

Sports Camp in Wayland City Park

Several churches joined together for a Mega Sports Camp in the City Park in Wayland on August 2-5. There were lots of children participating in cheer leading, soccer, basketball, running and other events. Valuable lessons were taught for both on and off the playing field.

To see a few photos from Wednesday evening, click here.

The Civil War was brought to life again at Historic Charlton Park. Taking part in the reinactment was

On the Union Infantry side alone, taking part were:

30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry
3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company F
4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company B
8th Michigan Volunteer Infanry Medical
14th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
15th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry
24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry
2nd US Sharp Shooters, Company B
21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry
114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

USS Michigan Marine Guard 5th Kentucky volunteer Infantry Co. C, 1st Michigan Light Artilliery Battery D, and 34th Michigan Co. F.

To see photos of the event follow the links below. There was a lot to see and do. If you missed this opportunity to see our history in person, plan to join the activities next July at Charlton Park.

For an idea of what civilian life was like, click here. And life in a small town, click here.

To see the cannons fired, click here.

To see the artillary camp, click here.

Historic Charlton Park was where the barn dance took place as part of the Civil War Muster event.

There was a barn dance on Saturday night. Photos are here.

President Lincoln paid a visit to the folks. For photos, click here.

Music was important in tough times. For musicians photos, click here.

The battle of the South against the North in American history.

For Saturday’s battle photos, click here.

Civil War battles fought at Charlton Park.

For Sunday’s battle photos, click here.

All the wounded needed medical attention, photos here.