The Bertha Brock Fall Festival arrives in Ionia with the brightest leaves of fall, the third Saturday of September, each year. The festival has featured 40 vendors of crafts, food and other wares, as well as games, rides and entertainment. The has included a booth for master gardeners, trolley rides, sled dogs and tractors. Visitors listen to the First Presbyterian Bell ringers, sampl the sport of disc golf, paint gourds and watch pumpkins catapult into a clear blue sky.
The Buck-A-Roo Ball is a February benefit dinner for the Ionia Theatre. The Western-themed evening also includes an auction and entertainment. The Iona Theatre was purchased from Butterfield Theaters in 1985, and is operated by the city's Downtown Development Authority. The theater shows movies and hosts live events, including the Philadelphia Orchestra Concert series. It is available for rental, and also houses a live bluegrass concert on the first Sunday afternoon of every month.
Ionia's holiday season starts with an annual visit from Santa Claus to the city's armory, an event usually held during the first week of December. The public is invited to enjoy a pancake breakfast and have photos taken with Santa. The event is organized by the Ionia Knights of Columbus.
Later that same night, traditionally on Friday, the city holds its annual Main Street Electric Christmas Parade. The floats, fire engines, horse-drawn carriages and bands start as soon as it gets dark, around 6:30. The parade has drawn 50 entries, from businesses to civic organizations, with participation growing steadily, according to the city.
Local businesses and organizations also decorate between 15 and 20 trees at the armory as part of the Festival of Trees, a program sponsored by Ionia Parks and Recreation. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree throughout the weekend by dropping a few coins or bills in canisters by that particular tree. Proceeds from the event go to the Bob Miller Children's Activity Fund to help children participate in county activities.