Imlay City Jr. Spartans to kick off season with draft night celebration

IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City Jr. Spartans will officially kick off their 2026 youth football and cheer season Friday, Aug. 22, hosting their annual Draft Night at the stadium. 

Open to the entire community, the evening serves as both a season opener for young athletes and a regional showcase for local businesses, sponsors, and vendors.

Festivities begin at 4:55 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by team introductions starting at 5 p.m., beginning with the Flag football division. Each football and cheer squad will take the field throughout the evening to be recognized. The Jr. Spartans Cheer team will also perform fight songs and cheers between team presentations.

Beyond the field action, the event will host a bustling vendor market featuring dozens of local merchants, crafters, realtors, and area sports organizations, including The Print Shop, Imlay City Veterinary Clinic, Vanguard Sports Cards, and MPR Motorsports.

Registered athletes and their families who RSVP’d can pick up complimentary meal tickets at the Jr. Spartans Info Booth starting at 5:30 p.m. Other attendees can purchase food directly from the Imlay City Boosters concession stand and on-site food vendors.

Organizers noted that Draft Night has grown from a simple season launch into a major community celebration, made possible through local sponsorships. Key supporters include First Round Sponsors Red Beard Solutions, Jishin Salon & Spa, Rapid Deployment Portable Restrooms, Heat Flow Mechanical, and Imlay City Family Practice, along with Third Round Sponsors Meesch’s Ice Cream, Reboot Realty, Skipinski Landscaping, B&S Pavement, Stix ‘n Rolls, and Imlay City Athletics.