Located in the heart of the Great Lakes region, midway between Chicago and Detroit, Kalamazoo County is a thriving community of more than 238,000 people. Four cities, five villages and 15 townships, comprise the eighth largest county in the state of Michigan.

Throughout the year, Kalamazoo has a myriad of activities, festivals and events that are sure to capture any age or interests. Click on the calendar dates on the right to view some of the upcoming events in Kalamazoo.

Feel free to navigate through the various links on the left to see all the different offerings Kalamazoo has for its citizens and visitors.

"Did You Know?" Kalamazoo Facts

• Checker cabs were built at an auto plant here from July 1923 to July 1982
• Gemini 4 and Apollo 9 astronaut James McDivit graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School
• In 2009, Kalamazoo resident Matt Giraurd makes to the final five on American Idol. Eventual winner, Kris Allen also had relatives that live in Kalamazoo
• Kalamazoo was once the manufacturing domain for Gibson Guitars, Kalamazoo Stoves, Kalamazoo Corset, Kalamazoo Sled, and Shakespeare fishing rods and reels.

Kalamazoo is the hometown of the following sports figures:

• Derek Jeter - MLB New York Yankees Short Stop (Kalamazoo Central High School)
• T.J. Duckett, NFL Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions running back (Loy Norrix High School)
• Pete Metzelaars, NFL Buffalo Bills tight end (Portage Central High School)
• Greg Jennings, NFL Green Bay Packers wide receiver (Kalamazoo Central High School)
• Lindsay Tarpley, Olympic gold medalist, 2004 and 2008 women's soccer teams (Portage Central High School)

More "Did You Know?" facts can be found at Kalamazoo County History and Did You Know website.