Town & Country Days
May 13-17, 2026
About the Series:
Sparta Town and Country Days are full of family-friendly fun! One of Sparta's most beloved traditions, this event is all about celebrating our history and bringing the community together.
Carnival Information
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Thursday, May 14: 5-10pm - $25 daily armband
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Friday, May 15: 3-10pm - $30 daily armband
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Saturday, May 16: 12-11pm - $30 daily armband
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Sunday, May 17: 12-6pm - $25 daily armband
Buy ahead and get $5 off for Friday or Saturday's armband! (Deal valid until midnight on the night before the festival starts)
Tickets also available 4 for $5
*Opening & closing times are subject to change without notice due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
*Kid's Bike Parade Presented by Sparta Library: Line up at 5:30 in Balyeat Field, parade at 6pm to Town Square
*Town Square Ribbon Cutting at 6:30pm
*Touch a Truck on Library Lane Presented by Sparta Library: 6-7:30pm in Town Square
*Sparta High School Band & Choir Performances: 6:30-8pm in Sparta Town Square
*Kid's Activities: 6-8pm in Town Square
*Concessions Presented by the Sparta Lions: 6-8pm in Town Square
Pulled pork sandwich or hamburger ($6), hotdog ($3 or 2 for $5), chips, pop, & water ($1)
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Family Farm Night
*Games & Activities presented by Local Businesses: 5-8pm in Rogers Park
Bring your kiddo to enjoy free face painting, photo booth, ring toss, and more.
*Farm Animals presented by Highlands on the Ridge, Dan Momber Farms, and Sparta 4H: 5-8pm in Rogers Park
See adorable highland cows and other fun farm animals.
*Bounce Houses presented by City Church: 5-8 in Rogers Park
*Live Music with The Denise Anderson Connection: 5-8pm in Rogers Park
*Concessions presented by the Sparta Lions Club: 5-8 in Rogers Park
Pulled pork sandwich or hamburger ($6), hotdog ($3 or 2 for $5), chips, pop, & water ($1). Served at the Pavilion
*Dog Show presented by the Barkery: 6pm in Rogers Park
Show off your furry friend in this fun dog show! Sign up HERE
*Haybale Toss presented by Momber Sales: 6:30pm in Rogers Park
Test your strength in this exciting competition! Sign-ups available onsite.
*Carnival: 5-10pm in Balyeat Field
Friday, May 15, 2026
*Carnival: Balyeat Field, 3-10pm
A crowd favorite! Enjoy exciting rides, fun games, and snacks from the concession stands.
*Bold Ballard and Sparta Settlers Show: Sparta Civic Center, 4:30pm
See a living history about some of the brave pioneers who settled in the area (proceeds support a state historical plaque for Ballard Church, est. 1861). The Show starts at 4:30 and goes for 45minutes- not open house style.
*Chili Cook-Off Dinner: Sparta Civic Center, 5:30-7pm
Crackers, cornbread, desserts, and soft drinks are included. Go to Facebook to enter your chili - limited to 15. (Proceeds support the new Sparta History Museum.)
*Live Music with Jason & Robin Eller Band: 6-9pm in Town Square
Saturday, May 16, 2026
*Parade (A Stars & Stripes Celebration): - State St to E. Division, 11am
In honor of America's 250th anniversary, we're turning our beloved Town & Country Day's Parade into a historic celebration! Wear red, white, and blue, and gather for this once in a lifetime celebration! Have a business interested in being in the parade? Sign-ups are still open on our applications page.
*Carnival - Balyeat Field, Noon-11pm
A crowd favorite! Enjoy exciting rides, fun games, and snacks from the concession stands.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
*Sparta Hunting and Fishing Community Day- Sparta Hunting and Fishing Club, 10am-3pm
Open to all ages and abilities! Free to the public and Club members. New to outdoor sports? Try trap, archery, rifles, and youth fishing with our experienced coaches. Prizes for competition shoots. Enjoy door prizes and food! Bring your own equipment or borrow ours. (Parents must stay with youth under the age of 18 years.)
*Carnival - Balyeat Field, Noon-6pm
A crowd favorite! Enjoy exciting rides, fun games, and snacks from the concession stands.
2026 Town & Country Days Grand Marshall- Bill Taylor
The Sparta Township Historical Commission is pleased to honor a native Spartan as Grand Marshall of the 2026 Town & Country Days.
Bill Taylor was born in 1959 to Bob and Maizie Taylor. He is a 1977 graduate of Sparta High School and has lived in the village of Sparta his whole life with the exception of a stint at Ferris College and Olivet College. He loves that he is a product of Lamoreaux Park where he would play with many lifelong friends.
Bill married Barb Beemer of Rockford in 1990 and they have three children: Alex works at MSU at the cyclotron and Andrew has an aviation degree and lives in Wisconsin; both boys are certified flight instructors; Andrea works at a golf course near Las Vegas. Bill and Barb have one granddaughter, Elizabeth. Barb was a teacher in Kent City for 32 years and now teaches at the preschool program in Sparta for KISD.
A builder his whole life, Bill started out working for this father, Bob, and uncle, Ray, at Taylor Sales, as a cut man and he still has all his fingers. They built many of the streets and homes in and around Sparta. Upon the retirement of Bob and Ray, Bill took over the business now known as Taylor Sales II. While he still has a builders license, his health has prohibited him from being an active builder.
Bill has been active in the village and township in various capacities. He has been on the village council for 14 years, the village airport board (the second busiest airport in Kent County), and the township Board of Review for 42 years. He was on the township finance committee and credits the people he served with in all his capacities as making his time in service enjoyable. A few of the people he mentioned were, of course, his mother and father, Rob Steffens, Bill Goodfellow, Gis Zamiara, Val Heyt, Laura Wever, Fred Baehre, Jim Morse, Mark Youngquist and Jason Bradford.
Bill and Barb have been active with Sparta Area Schools. You may have seen them at work. They have been ticket takers at football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and wrestling for many years. Bill was active with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and both of his sons are Eagle Scouts.
Bill has attended the Sparta Methodist Church for over 60 years and especially enjoyed the adult Sunday school classes lead by Dr Jay Dean. He has been a volunteer with a senior citizens food program in the area for many years.
Bill states that his love of Sparta has kept him here, along with the people of the village and township. “I have never worked with better farmers and landowners who wanted to make the drainage system of the Nash Creek the best it could be. I thought to myself, yes, that’s why I love living here, the great people.”
Bill embodies much of what is good about this community and the STHC is proud to honor him with the title of Grand Marshall 2026.
Parking Lot Closure Map 2026
Road Closure Map Parade, May 17, 2026
