Packet Pickup: 

• Early packet pick-up will be on

  • September 9th - 11th from 8 am-8 pm at the Oceola Community Center at 1661 N. Latson Rd, Howell, MI 48843 OR

  • September 12th, 8 am - 5 pm at the Oceola Community Center at 1661 N. Latson Rd, Howell, MI 48843 OR

  • We ask that you try to pick up your items in advance if possible but packets will be available on-site for race day starting at 8 am. We will send out a reminder email with details when it gets closer.

Results:

Your accurate chip time and current overall will be texted to your phone and be available live on this site. 

The race will be timed by the Michigan Running Foundation 

Looking for a fun evening for the kids while you enjoy the Downtown Rocktober Festival? We’ve got you covered! Drop the kids off at The Hive Youth & Teen Center for a night packed with pizza, games, movies, crafts, and more - all in a safe, supervised space.

Deadline to register is August 29th

Site: The Hive, 925 W. Grand River Ave.
Cost: $35 (Resident) / $50 (Non-Resident)

*Child Information Sheet must be filled out unless your child attended a 2024 camp or already has a 2025 Hive Five Summer Camps packet on file.

Youth Adaptive Basketball Demo

Howell Recreation is partnering with UMAISE for Wheelchair Basketball. This event is open to everyone of all abilities. Participants will be learning how to use a sports wheelchair, picking up a basketball using the wheel, dribbling, passing etc. At the end participants will practice shooting and participating in a scrimmage. 

Youth and adults will be on the court together, participating together. This registration is to account for the pediatric sized chairs.

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE

Adult Adaptive Basketball Demo

Howell Recreation is partnering with UMAISE for Wheelchair Basketball. This event is open to everyone of all abilities. Participants will be learning how to use a sports wheelchair, picking up a basketball using the wheel, dribbling, passing etc. At the end participants will practice shooting and participating in a scrimmage. 

There will be 8 adult chairs and a mix of pediatric size chairs. Youth and adults will be on the court together, participating together. This registration is to account for the adult sized chairs.

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE

Adult Adaptive Pickleball Demo

Howell Recreation is partnering with UMAISE for Wheelchair Pickleball. This event is open to everyone of all abilities. Participants will be learning how to use a sports wheelchair, skills and drills, learning about the adaptations and participating in a game. 

There will be 8 adult chairs and a mix of pediatric size chairs. Youth and adults will be on the court together, participating together. This registration is to account for the adult sized chairs.

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE

Youth Adaptive Pickleball Demo

Howell Recreation is partnering with UMAISE for Wheelchair Pickleball. This event is open to everyone of all abilities. Participants will be learning how to use a sports wheelchair, skills and drills, learning about the adaptations and participating in a game. 

There will be 8 adult chairs and a mix of pediatric size chairs. Youth and adults will be on the court together, participating together. This registration is to account for the pediatric sized chairs.

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE

Check-in - 9:30am
Event - 10:00am-3:00pm

Get ready for a day full of fun and creativity at Howell Recreation’s Great Brick Build-Off! On September 20th, builders will test their skills in a timed brick-building challenge — no teams, just you and your bricks!

Build-Off Competition:

Format: Individual competition (one builder per entry)

LEGO Set: Each participant will receive an identical 300–500 piece LEGO set, which they get to take home after the competition!

Time Limit: 3 hours to complete your build

Judging: Builds will be judged on accuracy

Prizes: Awarded to the top 3 builders

Rules:

The event will follow basic fair play building guidelines. Final details and rules will be sent out at least one week before the competition. Howell Recreation reserves the right to adjust rules as needed to ensure a fun and fair event for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned master or just love to build, this event is for you — and you’ll get to keep your build set as a souvenir!

Deadline to register is September 12th.

Site: Bennett Rec Center, 925 W. Grand River Ave.
Cost: $40 per person (Resident) / $60 per person (Non-Resident)

Give back by giving blood! We’re excited to partner with the American Red Cross to help give back to our community.

Join us for this boot camp styled camp to sharpen your focus.

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $10 (Resident) / $15 (Non-Resident)

*This class is not included in the Fitness+ Membership.

Tipsy Yoga - NEW DATE (21+)

This playful class combines refreshing yoga flows with light-hearted fun, perfect for those looking to unwind and celebrate the season with a drink in hand. All levels welcome; suitable for beginners and experienced yogis. We will be doing yoga flows while incorporating drinking the beverage of your choice!

Bring your favorite beverage** of choice and join us for a fantastic series of tipsy yoga! Please bring your own mat. Limited mats available.

Cost: $10 (Resident) / $15 (Non-Resident)
Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.

*This class is NOT included in the Fitness+ Membership.
**Beer and wine only.

Tuesday, October 14th - 9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday, October 15th - 10:00am-5:00pm

Join us for our Annual Purse and Jewelry Sale! Find lots of treasures for fantastic prices. We also accept donations of purses and jewelry for the sale! All proceeds from this event go to support the Howell Senior Center.

We are now accepting donations of gently used purses, bags, and jewelry. If you have anything you’d like to donate, please drop off your donations at the Oceola Community Center during our office hours.

Tuesday, October 14th - 9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday, October 15th - 10:00am-5:00pm

Join us for our Annual Purse and Jewelry Sale! Find lots of treasures for fantastic prices. We also accept donations of purses and jewelry for the sale! All proceeds from this event go to support the Howell Senior Center.

We are now accepting donations of gently used purses, bags, and jewelry. If you have anything you’d like to donate, please drop off your donations at the Oceola Community Center during our office hours.

Monster Mile - 5:30pm-6:00pm
Headless Horseman 5K - 6:00pm

The Headless Horseman 5K is BACK and SPOOKIER than ever! This dusk event will be in-person and kick-off at State and Clinton Streets in beautiful Downtown Howell. Costumed participants will wind their way through the historic neighborhoods and through Scofield City Park. Participants will receive a long-sleeved 50/50 blend shirt if registered by the end of the day on September 28th.  

This year's race will have a rolling start with runners starting at 6 pm, you can start the race anytime between 6 pm and 6:10 pm. This will allow for participants to be spaced out at the start of the race, along the course, and at the finish line. Walkers, strollers, assistive devices, and dogs on 6ft leashes are welcome. 

Please note that funds from this program help to cover not only costs incurred from the program itself but also help to make the Legend of Sleepy Howell possible. This longstanding community event offers a fun and safe trick-or-treating experience and helps especially those kids living in rural areas. Thank you for your support!

Volunteer With Us!

We are looking for race course volunteers to help us on October 18th for the Headless Horseman 5K!

Packet Pick-up:

Early Packet Pick up will take place Oct. 14th -17th at the Oceola Community Center 1661 N. Latson Rd. Howell MI 48843 during normal business hours. 

Get a Refund By Referring Friends!

Refer 1 or more participants and get a refund of up to $1.00 per participant!

Dust off your costumes, smear on some fake blood, grab a drink and get your freak on at this 45-minute Halloween-themed WERQ Dance Fitness class! No experience necessary! Bring your drink (wine or beer) of choice and stick around after class for a drink and some social time! Costumes encouraged but optional!

Cost: $10 (Resident) | $15 (Non-Resident)

*This class is NOT included in the Fitness+ Membership.
**Beer and wine only.

Join Howell Recreation and UMAISE (University Of Michigan Adaptive and Inclusive Sports Experience) for an Adaptive Halloween Hike at Filmore Park! This event is open to the public and FREE! Whether you're an experienced hiker or new to the activity, this hike is designed to be inclusive and accommodating to everyone. A 1 mile, grassy terrain hike will head off around 5:00pm!

Everyone is encouraged to dress up or deck out your gear!

UMAISE will provide up to 3 Grit Chairs (GRIT - All Terrain Wheelchair Built for Active Lives) for participants who need them. Please note, there is a limited number. Please contact Nikki at (nwattles@howellrecreation.org) to reserve your Grit chair, today!

Please note, Filmore Park's trail system is non-paved and GRIT chairs are manually operated with upper body. Staff and participants will be on site to assist.

FREE

 This playful session combines refreshing yoga flows with light-hearted fun, perfect for those looking to unwind and celebrate the season with a drink in hand. All levels welcome; suitable for beginners and experienced yogis. We will be doing yoga flows while incorporating drinking the beverage of your choice!

Bring your favorite beverage* of choice and join us for a fantastic series of tipsy yoga! Please bring your own mat. Limited mats available.

Cost: $10 (Resident) | $15 (Non-Resident)

*This class is not included in the Fitness+ Membership.

Join us in commemorating the opening day of hunting season at the annual Buck Pole. Come weigh your deer, swap stories with other hunters, and win fantastic prizes. No pre-registration is required.

Cost: $10/deer

Give back by giving blood! We’re excited to partner with the American Red Cross to help give back to our community.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Dash

Saturday, November 29th - 10:00am

Just like Thanksgiving dinner, we’ve got leftovers — and we want to share them with you in a fun, quirky way! The Thanksgiving Leftovers Dash is a quick half-mile dash on the outdoor paved path, specially groomed and maintained just for this event.

Participants will enjoy:

• A lighthearted holiday weekend run to burn off the turkey and pie

• A finisher reward at the Community Center: your choice of a past Howell Recreation race shirt, medal, or other award (limited sizes and styles available)

• This dash is all about celebrating community, having fun, and giving our past race swag a second life. Shake off the stuffing, snag a unique finisher prize, and make this Thanksgiving weekend one to remember!

Site: Start: Oceola Soccer Complex Pavilion, 1557 N. Latson Rd.
Finish: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.

Cost: $10 (Resident) | $15 (Non-Resident)

Jolly Jigsaw Jam Puzzle Competition (Ages 12+)

Saturday, December 13th - 9:30am-2:00pm

Get ready for a day full of fun and challenge at Howell Recreation’s Jolly Jigsaw Jam! On December 13th, we’ll be hosting a thrilling 300 - piece SOLO puzzle competition and a Puzzle Swap for puzzle enthusiasts of all kinds. THIS IS A SOLO COMP.

Puzzle: 300 pieces (each puzzle will be wrapped until the competition starts to ensure fairness)

Time Limit: 3 hours to complete the puzzle

Prizes: Awarded to the top 3 puzzlers

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $25 (Resident) | $30 (Non-Resident)

Puzzle Swap

Saturday, December 13th - 9:30am-2:00pm

Bring your unwanted puzzles and swap them with others to refresh your collection. It’s a great way to share your love for puzzles and discover new ones! While we will do our best to regulate the quality of the puzzles brought in, it is ultimately up to the swappers to pick and choose which puzzles they wish to swap.

No Puzzles will be accepted early this time around! Please only bring your puzzles day of!

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: FREE to swap

Rec the Halls

Saturday, December 13th - 11:00am-2:00pm
Pre-registration is available but not required.

Get ready to jingle all the way into the holiday season at Rec the Halls — a festive, family-friendly celebration full of cheer, creativity, and community fun! Join us for a magical afternoon filled with activities for all ages, including:

• Hot Cocoa Bar – Warm up with a cup of delicious hot chocolate and customize it with your favorite toppings!

• Santa’s S.T.E.M. Factory – Dive into fun, hands-on holiday-themed science, tech, engineering, and math activities that will spark your imagination.

• Santa’s Workshop – Craft your own homemade gifts and wrap them with love – perfect for sharing the spirit of the season.

• Santa pictures - Get your photo taken with Santa himself!

• Letters to Santa – Write and decorate your own letter to Santa and drop it in our official North Pole mailbox.

• Holiday Movie Hangout – Cozy up and enjoy a holiday movie (title TBD) with friends and family.

Whether you're crafting, learning, sipping cocoa, or just soaking in the holiday spirit, there's something for everyone at Rec the Halls.

Site: Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Rd.
Cost: $7/participant (pre-registration) | $10/participant (day-of)

Bad Santa Trivia (Ages 18+)

Thursday, December 18th - 7:00pm-10:00pm

Grab your friends & family and join us Thursday, December 18th at Aberrant Ales for Bad Santa Trivia night! The theme of the night is Holiday Movies.

We will be raffling off great presents and more, so don't forget to bring extra cash!

There will be a prize for the most holiday spirit and best dressed for the holiday season! For just $50 your team of four is guaranteed a night of good fun, good food, and a lot of laughs. The trivia questions will all be answered through a mobile device so make sure to come fully charged and ready to play. Your team will also get one free appetizer for the night from a limited selection.

* ONLY ONE PERSON PER TEAM NEEDS TO REGISTER*
*Teams can be up to 4 people*
*Must be 18+ to participate and 21+ to purchase adult beverages*

Registration Opens November 5th. Deadline to register is December 18th.

Site: Aberrant Ales, 219 W Grand River Ave.
Cost: $45/team (Resident) | $50/team (Non-Resident)