Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Big week for parents around Grand Rapids! School is getting out, and the family-fun outdoor events are ramping up! 🙂 

Let’s get into it!

 📰 This Week’s Grand Stories -

🤣 Nate Bargatze: My personal, favorite comedian is coming to Van Andel for two performances on June 5th and June 14th. There are still a few tickets available and if you’re wondering - he’s quite family friendly!

🏟️ $318 Million Incentive: The huge incentive proposal for the Soccer stadium, towers and amphitheater was officially approved this week. Grand Rapids is about to be Really Great Rapids?

📕 Summer Reading Challenge: The incredibly popular reading program for kids of all ages from last year, is back again this year! Get your children off of electronics and into books - with a chance to win prizes! 

⚡️ Thunder Rolls! Lightning Strikes!: Western Michigan got pummeled with intense storms this week. Some residents claim they were some of the strongest they’ve ever experienced.

🏮 You CAN in Michigan: The Michigan adverising campaign you see here, won 11 telly awards!

😡 A New Low : This week, two defendants were sentenced to prison for their roles in a multi-million dollar international scheme targeting Senior Citizens. A Grand Rapids resident lost nearly $400,000.

🦄 Interesting Find -

Watch Acrisure Ampitheater Be Built From The Sky! A special groundbreaking ceremony was held for Acrisure Ampitheater recently - a 12,000-capacity riverfront arena. To commemorate the occasion, a drone video has been released showing aerial footage of the construction zone.

🏀 Sports -

🏓 Kentwoood Pickleball Tournament: There’s still a few spots available for the tournament at Old Farm Park this Saturday.

🏃 Support Educator Wellness 5K: Go get some exercise and help our educators that help to raise our children.

💋 1st Annual All Sports Champions Dinner and Lip Sync Battle: Here’s your chance to support Western Michigan sports and athletes off the field with a night of legendary entertainment, camaraderie, and fundraising. Thursday, May 30, Barclay Place Events Center.

🚗 Silver Lake Sand Dunes Jeep Invasion: Get ready to get dirty this coming weekend when the jeeps take over the Silver Lake Sand Dunes from May 31 to June 2.

🪓 FlannelJax’s Drop-In Axe-Throwing League: Drop in on FlannalJax’s this coming Sunday, June 1, for some axe-cellent adventures with your fellow axe-hurlers.

💃 Swing Dancing at Rosa Parks Circle: All summer, the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society will be hosting swing dance lessons at Rosa Parks Circle. Happening every Tuesday through October 29, 2024.

Free Sports Camp for Kids: Got lil ones that need to get off of electronics this summer? The City of GR has free summer day camps - register here. 

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🧹 Wicked: Here’s your chance to brush up on Wicked before the Ariana Grande spectacle hits the screen later this year. Wicked is coming to DeVos Performance Hall beginning on May 15 and continuing through June 2.

🥁 Hozier: Hozier with Allizon Russell is coming to Van Andel on May 29th

💀Sebastian Bach: For those about to rock, get ready to rock just a little bit harder when Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach comes to Elevation on May 29th!

🎵 Out of Favor Boys: This Friday, May 31, the Out of Favor Boys will be shaking the Earth with their signature blend of blues and funk at GR Food Truck Fridays.

🎭️The Diatribe Community Groundbreaking for the Emory Arts & Culture Club: Sports lovers aren’t the only ones getting a groundbreaking this week. Grand Rapids’ cultural enthusiasts will gather together this Friday, May 31, to break ground on the new Emory Arts & Culture Center.

Relax to some free jazz music on Sunday at SpeakEZ Lounge - 6-9pm

Tickets are still available for Tim McGraw at Van Andel on June 1st

Listen to live music on Fridays & Saturdays throughout the summer at FireRock Grille from 5-8pm (good chance you’ll see my wife and I here!)

Pyramid Scheme, as usual, has a show every night this upcoming week. Tickets are typically $10 and many of the shows are for all ages.

🍎 Fun Fact

Grand Rapids was home to the world’s first superstore when Meijer’s opened the Thrifty Acres superstore in 1962.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Stuff -

👶Lavender Harvest Celebration: Stroll through over 30 acres of beautiful lavender plants. Visit the bakery, checkout the boutique and take some AMAZING family pictures. Starts June 11th

Chalk The Park: Grab your kids and your chalk and go show off your creative side with other local artists. Just $5 for a fun day with the family.

Lids for Kids: Does your child need a bike helmet? Stop by Garfield Park on June 1st to get one professionally fitted for free!

🏮 Grand Rapids Lantern Festival: Grand Rapids residents have a chance to experience the magic of Asian culture at John Ball Zoo with the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, which runs through June 16.

Mosaic: Meijer Garden: Here’s a chance to luxuriate in some gorgeous early summer weather in one of Western Michigan’s most stunningly beautiful settings. The Mosaic: Meijer Garden floral show runs through August 31

📷️ Snapshot Quest
Have a lil scavenger in your life? Snapshot Quest is one part scavenger hunt, one part photography challenge, and 10 parts fun! Running through September 2024.

📚️ Summer Reading Challenge: Summer is officially upon us! That means it’s time for Summer Reads. Every week, the Grand Rapids Public Library will be hosting weekly reading challenges through September 7.

🤖 Wimee’s Dreams at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Got a little science lover in your midst? You will after visiting Wimee’s Dreams at the Grand Rapids Children Museum, where children of all ages can explore the magic of green screen technology, investigate a distant star, dress up in costumes and play with zebras and cupcakes! Running through September.

🥇 Golden Years

👩‍🌾 Create Your Own Garden Porch Pot: Enhance your entryway or front porch with a stunning personalized combination garden! Have a fun morning while designing your own creative masterpiece.

👻 Grand Rapid Ghost Tours: History lovers and ghost hunters alike will love the Grand Rapid Ghost Tours, where you take a walking tour through some of Grand Rapids’ most iconic buildings. Happening daily through January 2025.

🏊️Aqua Stretch and Tone: This Spring and Summer, the KROC Center in Grand Rapids is hosting a series of low-impact, low-intensity workouts for toning, strengthening, and relaxing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

🏠️Meyer May House Tours: Here’s a chance to tour one of Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s greatest triumphs right here in Grand Rapids. Tours are available every Tuesday and Thursday, but tickets often sell out ahead of time, so make sure to reserve your spot early!

🥘 Senior Meals at 121 Franklin SE: Every Monday through Friday at noon, join the 60+ community for fun, friendship, and delicious Latin American food!

😎 Other Cool Stuff

This “Michigan Bundle” for Cedar Point is STILL a GREAT DEAL.

Take your spouse on an Epic Couples Picnic over at Cutler Park on June 1st. A romantic day in the park with a DJ, games, prizes and more.

Get your kids to these two theater camps where they’ll learn backbackstage tech, scenic build, costumes and acting, singing and dancing. First session starts June 3rd with the next starting July 29th. Ages 6-12

🏷️ GRrrrrrrreat Discounts for Subscribers!

Hydrowash Solutions - 50% OFF
Your home looking a little dirty or green this spring? Get 50% off your home's first pressure wash (up to 1500 sq ft). Only $300 for GR Newsletter subscribers.
Text "Wash" to 616-730-3949 get on the calendar. (First 10 homes only)

Travy C's Recycling - Free Estimate & $100 OFF
Got old auto or hvac materials? Need scrap or junk removed? For GR Newsletter subscribers, you get $100 off your first removal and recycling job!
Text "Junk" to 231-758-4899 to get your free quote.

Let The Good Times Roll - $150 OFF
Need a bartender for your special day? Whether it's a wedding, backyard bbq, or any other special occassion - I am your certified and insured bartender and food handler. $150 off any event for GR News subscribers!
Text "Bartender" to 847-924-2447 to claim your discount!

JDPotter Lawn Care - First Grass Mowing is FREE!
I’m a bit biased, as Jackson has been cutting my lawn for several years. He’s a great young man with a thriving business. He’ll cut up to two acres for free, for first-time customers. And, you’ll love it so much, he’ll be your lawn guy for life.
Text “Free Mow” to 616-818-8805 to get scheduled. (First 15 lawns only)

Miss Clean It All - 40% OFF
Get your first cleaning job on the books at 40% off! Two hours of deep cleaning for only $40! Servicing residential & commercial customers.
Text "First Cleaning" to 616-433-5497 to get scheduled.

Delight in Designs - Want a FREE Dishwasher?
If you’re considering a new kitchen remodel, then you’re in luck. Delight in Designs is offering a free dishwasher to all GR Newsletter subscribers with a new remodeling job.
Text “Dishwasher” 616-729-4301 to get your free consultation scheduled.

Cookie Cutters - 50% OFF a “Kids Cut” for First Time Customers
Voted #1 for 4 years in a row for the best place for kids' haircuts in Grand Rapids by GRkids.com families! All three of our GR locations feature amazing stylists, an indoor play set, fun fantasy cars, and personal TVs, in our kid-centric salons!
Click here to book your appointment and mention the GR Newsletter when you visit.

👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

Daydreamer Domes is a fun new business model coming to the South Haven area. Go check out their Gold Disco Domes, heated pool, float tanks, curated bodega, and elevated dining experiences. Mention the GR Newsletter and get a free drink at the pool.

The nostalgic Rocket Fizz candy store just opened a new location over at the Tanger Outlets. Go give them some love and make your kiddos happy.

An Italian restaurant, Rossana’s Table, expects to open in early June at 107 E. Main St. SE in Caledonia, the former location of Fricano’s Pizza.

Cottage Inn Pizza is now in GR! This was one of my favorites as a child on the east side of the state, and they are now open at 533 Wealthy St SE

The Taqueria Chilango food truck opened a few weeks and here’s what Brad H has to say on Yelp.
“The owners are very friendly and the food was delicious.”

If you like brunch, juice and smoothies, check out the new Brunch House location off Forest Hill ave. Gabe B is digging it.
“Best breakfast in GR hands down. Been waiting for this place to open up their second location and it didn't disappoint. Atmosphere is beautiful reminds me a a Chicago brunch spot. Service is great too!”

Thanks for being a Good, Great, Grand Rapidian.
 

 RANDOM QUESTION: Would you be interested in learning how to create your own, profitable newsletter based on your interests and passions? If so, reply to this email with “newsletter” and I’ll add you to the waiting list.