Reading Chamber of Commerce to host '517 Day' Friday

• The event will begin at 4 p.m. with the opening of the Michigan Street Market.
• There will be live music, a beer tent, cornhole, food trucks, sidewalk chalk art and family-friendly games.

— On May 17, the Reading Chamber of Commerce will welcome the community to celebrate the area code 517 and living in south-central Michigan.

517 Day is open to anyone in the surrounding community to attend and will begin at 4 p.m., with the opening of the Michigan Street Market at the Michigan Street Pavilion.

There, attendees can shop for a variety of homemade items and treats.

“Live music will be kicking off at 6 p.m. with Side Hustle and Pomegranate Whiskey Band headlining at 8 p.m.,” said Becky Pavka, the president of the Reading Chamber of Commerce.

Events will also include a beer tent, cornhole, food trucks, sidewalk chalk art and family-friendly games.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Pavka said the Reading Chamber of Commerce got the idea for the event from similar events that are held around Michigan, including one in Lansing.

“We wanted to bring something similar to our community,” Pavka said.

She added that the Reading Chamber of Commerce hopes the event will be a great way for the community to come together and celebrate their town and community.

Many businesses and organizations are working together to make the event possible and feature special events throughout the evening.

Subscribe Now:For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

Pavka said the response from the community has already been very positive to the 517 Day, and other unique events the Reading Chamber of Commerce is planning for this year.

“The community is enjoying the events,” she said. “They are embracing the new ideas the Chamber of Commerce is bringing to the area such as the Reading Rumble featuring the talented pro wrestling group from CIW on April 27, and our upcoming Reading Summer Festival Days that fills the first weekend in August with exciting events like Truck Pulls, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, live music and much more!”

For more information, visit readingmichigan.org.

— Elyse Apel is a correspondent for The Hillsdale Daily News. She can be reached by email at ehawkins@hillsdale.edu.