Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Happy Mardi Gras, Grand Rapids! This week, Grand Rapidians let the good times roll, ordering a record number of pastries to celebrate Fat Tuesday. The arrival of Ash Wednesday doesn’t seem to be slowing the fun down any, luckily, as there’s still a metric ton of cool movies, great music, inspiring arts and crafts, and interesting talks and lectures to fill your late February with wonder.

Les bons temps roulers! 🎲 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🦋 Butterflies Return to Frederik Meijer Gardens: More than 7,000 butterflies from four continents will soon fill the tropical conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as the beloved annual exhibit makes its return. Visitors in Grand Rapids can once again walk among free-flying butterflies while learning about global ecosystems and conservation efforts.

🥐 Bakeries Prep for Fat Tuesday Frenzy: Local bakeries across Grand Rapids are gearing up for what could be a record-breaking Paczki Day, with thousands of the traditional Polish pastries expected to fly off shelves. Owners say early orders are strong as Mardi Gras enthusiasm — and sweet tooth cravings — continue to grow.

🍎 Teacher of the Week: Amy Wolffis: Amy Wolffis has been honored as Teacher of the Week for her dedication to students, creative classroom environment, and lasting impact on her school community. Colleagues and families praise her commitment to helping every child feel supported and inspired to learn.

⚾ Sullivan Field Restoration Back on Track: Renovation work at Sullivan Field has resumed after construction delays, bringing renewed momentum to the long-anticipated restoration of the historic baseball park. Leaders say the upgrades will modernize facilities while preserving the field’s rich legacy.

🚢 150-Year-Old Shipwreck Discovered in Lake Michigan: Searchers have uncovered the wreckage of a luxury steamer that sank more than a century and a half ago in Lake Michigan. The remarkable discovery offers a rare glimpse into 19th-century maritime history and sheds light on one of the region’s long-lost vessels.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Friday, February 20

Free Show Friday: Futuretime String Band – Speciation Cellars – Folk/bluegrass fiddle and guitar duo (21+). 9:00 PM–11:00 PM / Free

Jammies 26 – The Intersection – WYCE presents JAMMIES 26. All Ages. 5:30 PM / Prices Vary

Days of Heaven – Grand Rapids Art Museum – Film screening as part of a Terrence Malick retrospective. Doors 6:00 PM / Movie 7:00 PM / Free

Harlem Nights – Shadow Cast – Wealthy Theatre – Live shadowcast presentation of the cult classic. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $11.80–$15

Free Show Friday: The Sundogs – Speciation Cellars – Acoustic duo playing covers and originals. 9:00 PM–11:00 PM / Free

The Phil Collins Story – GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Docu-concert tribute celebrating Phil Collins’ career. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $35–$60

Spencer LaJoye – Midtown at Studio Park – Queer indie folk singer-songwriter performance. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $25

2026 Spiritual Growth Conference – Kentwood Community Church – Faith-based conference on discipleship and spiritual growth. 6:30 PM / Free

Circus Wonderland – Calder Plaza – Family-friendly circus acts, games, fire performers, and interactive art. 6:00 PM–9:00 PM / Free

Nature Jigsaw Puzzle Night – Blandford Nature Center – Team-based 500-piece puzzle competition. 6:00 PM–8:30 PM / $40–$50 per team

Saturday, February 21

Carnival: A Mardi Gras Dance Party – Amway Grand Plaza – Mardi Gras celebration with DJs and VIP options (21+). 8:00 PM–12:30 AM / $20+

Free Show: Chrome Horse (Bob Dylan Tribute) – Speciation Cellars – Solo internationally touring Bob Dylan tribute. 9:00 PM–11:00 PM / Free

Kameron Marlowe – The Intersection – Live on Tour, All Ages. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / Prices Vary

Nikita, The Wicked – The Stache at The Intersection – Live performance with support from Tej (18+). Doors 8:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / Prices Vary

Guiding Light LIVE Benefit Concert – St. Cecilia Music Center – Acoustic benefit concert featuring Glen Phillips. 4:00 PM–6:00 PM / $60

Celebration of Soul w/ Ledisi – DeVos Performance Hall – 20th-anniversary concert with Ledisi and the Grand Rapids Symphony. 4:00 PM / $48–$56

R&B Night with DJ Dre & MPJ – Social Dance Studio – R&B dance party with DJ sets. 7:00 PM–1:00 AM / $10

Botanical Soapmaking Workshop – Gathered Botanicals – Learn natural soapmaking with goat milk and botanicals. 10:30 AM–12:00 PM / $45

Clock Making Workshop – Three Blue Brushes – Design and build your own functional wall clock. 10:00 AM–1:00 PM / $32

Black Excellence Exhibition – Ottawa Hills High School – Celebration of Black culture through music, dance, and spoken word. 2:00 PM–4:00 PM / $12.51

Sunday, February 22

The Rush Tribute Project – GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Live tribute concert celebrating the music of Rush. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM / $25–$95

🎂 Happy Paczki Day!

Did you know that Mardi Gras traditions merged with Grand Rapids Polish heritage, making paczki a traditional Mardi Gras treat?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Winter Beer Festival – February 28 @ LMCU Ballpark – Outdoor beer tasting event with hundreds of Michigan craft beers, local entertainment, ice carvings, and fire pits. – Various times / Prices vary

Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition – February 28 @ Sixth Street Park – Traditional snow snake sport competition with competitors sliding handcrafted “snakes” down icy tracks. – Various times / Free/Prices vary

Noodle Fest – March 1 @ Calder Plaza – Part of the World of Winter festivities featuring noodle dishes from local restaurants where attendees vote for their favorites. – 11:00 AM–6:00 PM / Free (food prices vary)

🏃 Upcoming Runs & Walks!

Last year, one of our readers wrote in asking about running and walking events happening around Grand Rapids. We aim to please! Here are a few running and walking events happening in the next few weeks and months, so you can start warming up now.

Riverside parkrun on February 21, 2026

Time to Paddy 5K/10K & Lucky 13.1 on March 1, 2026

Grand Rapids Road Mile on March 26

Grand Rapids Road Mile on March 26, 2026

Amway River Bank Run on May 9, 2026

Walk MS: Grand Rapids on May 30, 2026