Kelsey Klont
Contributing Writer
(Photos Provided)
Country Creek Reception Hall of Dimondale is a great country style event venue that hosts private events as well as special events that are open to the public.
Kim Bengel has owned and operated the Country Creek Reception Hall since 2012, where she is the third owner of the property. As a 2002 graduate of Grand Ledge High School, she was introduced into the entertainment and business industries at the age of 19, when she accepted a job at the Grand Ledge Opera House. There she worked in the office to coordinate private events and assisted the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce with community festivals.
Bengel graduated from Lansing Community College with an associate degree in business management and started a new position working for the Quality Suites of Lansing as the Banquet Manager. While working at Quality Suites making sales calls one day, she stumbled upon the property where the Country Creek Reception Hall is located. She and the previous owners maintained a professional relationship and at the end of 2012 Bengel bought the property. In 2015, she had done some renovations, which have turned the Country Creek Reception Hall into a beautiful country style banquet hall and event venue. There are some new renovations on the list in the near future, Bengel shared optimistically.
Working alongside Bengel are two full-time employees: Trinity is the Office Manager, and Kim is the Lead Bartender and Operations Manager. There are a number of people on call for extra help to run events as well. “I love my job here and Kim is a wonderful person to work for. It’s great seeing people so happy,” shared Trinity.
In January this year, Country Creek Reception Hall added monthly comedy shows coordinated by Jasun Pierpoint, which have proved to be a popular event filling the 200-person event hall. The next comedy show will be November 18 at 8 p.m. There will also be a fan-voted comedy show for the best comedian, that will be held January 20, 2024. That will be the first show that Country Creek will have 20 comedians competing, when the monthly shows typically have 10 comedians. Do not worry about coming on an empty stomach because there are food trucks that rotate all the shows and a few food companies.
Besides the comedy shows and private events, Country Creek Reception Hall hosts pool leagues in coordination with the VFW Post 6132 as well as in-house leagues. This started back in October of last year when Bengel got in touch with Lansing Area Pool Players and through them brought in four pool tables. Pool leagues, namely Valley and BCA leagues, are hosted every Sunday and Tuesday at Country Creek.
Bengel’s passion and drive in the operations of Country Creek is to create a fun and safe environment for everyone through open-to-the-public events. Country Creek Reception Hall has two burlesque shows every year, coordinated by Shelby Wiborn with Tease A Gogo, and looks forward to more shows. The next Burlesque Show is planned for December 16, 2023 and a Dueling Piano Show will take place on January 27, 2024.
If you’re looking for a Halloween Party, next Friday, October 27 Country Creek is hosting a Halloween party featuring a costume contest, pool tables to play your best game, karaoke to sing your favorite songs, and much more! This will be a very fun event that you won’t want to miss!
For all the shows, events, and open-to-the-public entertainment, be sure to like and follow the Country Creek Reception Hall on Facebook to see details and stay tuned for upcoming activities for the community.
If you are looking for a country style venue that offers fair prices, or need a rental hall for a private party, or to see a hilarious comedy show – definitely keep Country Creek Reception Hall in mind. Call them at 517-643-9797 to book an event today. Check out their website www.countrycreekreceptionhall.com.
