Gratiot County and Alma, Michigan
Every Memorial Day, the Highland Festival and Games transform Alma into “Scotland U.S.A.,” where tens of thousands of visitors enjoy piping, drumming, fiddling, dancing, and athletic contests.
Small-Town Ambience with Recreation, Culture and Fun
Wouldn’t it be great to live and work in a tranquil atmosphere, and still have easy access to stimulating opportunities for recreation, shopping, education and culture? People who live in Gratiot County will tell you, yes, it is!
Gratiot County is located in the very center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Less than an hour south is the state capital of Lansing, home of Michigan State University with its Big 10 sports. The medium-sized cities of Grand Rapids and Saginaw are almost as close. A short drive north you will find the renowned scenic beauty of the Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shorelines.
Alma College, annually ranked among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges, and Davenport University are right in the county, while other universities (Central Michigan, Michigan State, Saginaw Valley State and Northwood) and community colleges (Baker, Delta and Lansing) are within commuting distance. Gratiot County’s public schools have preserved their small-town values, while keeping pace with technology that supports excellence in teaching. Three parochial elementary schools are located in the county, along with outstanding preschools, privately funded nursery schools and daycare centers.
Residents and visitors enjoy a bounty of cultural, recreational, and leisure activities. Alma College’s beautiful Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts hosts national and international musical entertainment and campus speakers. Every Memorial Day, the Highland Festival and Games transform the city and campus into “Scotland U.S.A.,” where tens of thousands of visitors enjoy piping, drumming, fiddling, dancing, and athletic contests. Alma Symphony Orchestra concerts and the Gratiot County Players’ musicals and plays are presented in the city’s historic Strand Theater.
Throughout the year, the region offers a busy calendar of family-friendly activities and destinations including recreation areas, historical sites, clubs, parks and festivals.
Photo used by permission of the Highland Festival and Games.
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