2026

UPDATE 9/28/2026: Registration for the Fall 2026 No Fee Brush Chipping Program is now full. Thank you to all residents who reserved a spot. The City is no longer accepting reservations for this program.

The city is offering 150 households, within the city limits, up to 30 minutes of no fee brush chipping during October 12 – 16, 2026.

The same guidelines used for fee-based brush chipping apply to this program. Branches must be no more than 9 inches in diameter and at least 2 feet long. Anything shorter than 2 feet cannot be chipped.

Brush should be placed at the curb (not in the street) no earlier than the week before the scheduled chipping week and no later than Sunday evening , October 11. Piles should be stacked as neatly as possible, with cut ends facing the street when space allows. Materials should not obstruct sidewalks, streets, alleys, or traffic sightlines.

Only branches are accepted. Twigs, thorn bushes, grass clippings, leaves, stumps, roots, weeds, vines, flowers, wire, landscape timbers, fencing, or other wood materials will not be chipped.

Reservations can be scheduled beginning September 28 at 8:00 a.m. until all spots are filled. Call the Division of Public Works, 989-779-5401 or email publicworks@mt-pleasant.org to make a reservation.

Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market Returns with New Saturday Evening Hours

For more than 50 years, the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market has brought fresh in-season fruits and vegetables while creating a welcoming space to gather, connect, and support local farmers. The 2026 season brings exciting changes, including a new Saturday evening market, while continuing the traditions that residents have counted on for decades.

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market kicks off the 2026 season on Thursday, May 7, at Island Park’s South Shelter. The Thursday Market will run from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 29, offering fresh produce, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and an unforgettable experience for customers of all ages.

New This Year: Saturday Evening Market

The Saturday Farmers’ Market is moving to evenings in 2026, running from 4 to 8 p.m. at Town Center (Main & Broadway), June 13 through September 26.

This change follows feedback gathered from vendors, shoppers, and community stakeholders. The updated hours reflect that input and are designed to better fit residents’ schedules, while creating a lively downtown atmosphere on Saturday evenings.

2026 Market Hours at a Glance

Thursday Market:
Island Park’s South Shelter
7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 7 – October 29

Saturday Market
Town Center (Main & Broadway)
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
June 13 – September 26

Making Healthy Food Accessible for All

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market is committed to making healthy, locally grown food accessible to residents of all incomes. In 2025, the market processed more than $34,000 in food assistance transactions, and 171 residents used food assistance programs for the first time.

The market accepts a wide range of assistance programs:

SNAP/EBT
Double Up Food Bucks
Prescription for Health
Credit/debit market tokens for vendors unable to process card payments

Community Programming and Partnerships

Cooking demonstrations and nutrition-focused programming will be offered throughout the season, with support from local and regional partners.

In 2025, partnerships with the Chippewa River District Library and McLaren Health Plan helped distribute 840 Cook the Kit meal kits, providing families with fresh ingredients and simple, healthy recipes.

For more information about the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market, visit www.mt-pleasant.org/farmersmarket or follow the market on Facebook.

City to hold Citizens’ Academy; accepting applications now

The seventh Citizens’ Academy is now accepting applications. Presented by the City of Mt. Pleasant, the academy is designed to engage members of the community and to expand their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government.

Participants will attend seven, weekly sessions beginning Tuesday, February 21. Each session will offer an in-depth look at the fundamentals of the City’s administration and budget; public works and utilities; parks and recreation; public safety; and community development. Additional topics covered include the basics of local government, elections and more.

The Citizens’ Academy is open to anyone living, working, owning property or attending school in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko shared, “The Citizens’ Academy is an opportunity for residents to capture a close up view of how a municipality operates and the many services the city provides on a daily basis.”

Registration for the academy is free and space is limited. Sessions will occur on the following Tuesdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m.: February 21, February 28, March 14, March 21, April 4, April 11, and April 18. Graduates of the academy will be recognized at the April 24 City Commission meeting.

Applications are available at City Hall or online, and are accepted until January 17, 2023. Find the application and learn more at www.mt-pleasant.org/citizensacademy.