Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Hope you guys had a great Mother’s Day! We definitely did, taking the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather while spending some much-needed family bonding time together. The good news is we get to do it again this week, with all kinds of outdoorsy goodness to get into. We’re even hoping to pick up some starts to start this year’s garden!

Let’s get into it! 🌷

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🌱 Blandford Nature Center Prepares for Annual Plant Sale: Blandford Nature Center is gearing up for its annual plant sale, featuring native plants and vegetable starts grown for local gardens and ecological restoration efforts.

🏛️ Inside the 130-Year-Old Voigt House: Take a historical look at one of Grand Rapids’ architectural landmarks with this feature on the 130-year-old Voigt House, offering a rare glimpse into Victorian-era life in the city.

🇺🇸🇨🇦 Grand Rapids & Vaughan Become Sister Cities: Grand Rapids and Vaughan, Ontario are now officially sister cities, per Grand Rapids’ Instagram post.

🗳️ Kent County Panel Supports Zoo & Museum Millage Renewal: A local funding decision could impact cultural institutions like John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

🍻 Harmony Brewing Opens Pet-Friendly Patio with Dog Specials: Beer lovers (and dog lovers) now have a new hangout spot with Harmony Brewing’s new pet-friendly patio and dog beer specials, expanding its community-focused outdoor space.

🏗️ What to Know About the New Acrisure Amphitheater: Ahead of major events, WZZM breaks down key details in this guide to the new Acrisure Amphitheater, including logistics, access, and programming.

🏘️ Hope Village Tiny Homes Completed to Combat Homelessness: A new housing initiative is now complete as nine tiny homes in Hope Village open to support people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids, marking a step forward in local housing solutions.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Friday, May 15

Native Plant Fest - Venema Plaza - Native plant sale and ecology-focused garden event with 100+ varieties. 10:00 AM / Free

Factory & Friends Open House - The Factory - Community networking event with tours, food, and creative collaboration. 3:00–6:00 PM / Free

GR8 Food Truck Fridays – Week 1 - Monroe Ave NE Event Space - Weekly food truck festival with live music and artisan vendors. 4:00–9:00 PM / Free

Chair Camp: Designer Drinks (21+) - Grand Rapids Public Museum - Miniature furniture design workshop with cocktails and creative guidance. 7:00–9:00 PM / $20

Plain White T’s - The Stache at The Intersection - Pop-punk concert featuring the Plain White T’s. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $42

Phil Wickham – Song of the Saints Tour - Van Andel Arena - Worship concert featuring Phil Wickham, Tauren Wells, and Jamie MacDonald. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Sips & Succulents - Spruced Studio - DIY succulent arrangement workshop with complimentary wine. 6:00–7:15 PM / $38–$48

Lionel Richie – Grand Opening Concert - Acrisure Amphitheater - Major opening night concert featuring Lionel Richie and supporting acts. 7:30 PM / $95+

Nate Smith: Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Country-rock live performance on tour. 6:30 PM / $30–$100+

Saturday, May 16

Acrisure Amphitheater Community Celebration - Acrisure Amphitheater - Grand opening celebration with live music, tours, food trucks, and drone show. 11:00 AM–10:00 PM / Free

Crow’s Hold Vendor Market Grand Opening - Crow’s Hold - High-end artisan market opening with live jazz and mimosas. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM / Free

Vegetable and Native Plant Sale - Blandford Farm - Plant sale featuring vegetable starts and native Michigan plants. 9:00–11:00 AM / Free

Basket Blooms Workshop - Eastern Floral - Floral arrangement workshop creating a garden-style basket design. 10:00–11:00 AM / $65

Chair Camp: Fun with Furniture - Grand Rapids Public Museum - Family-friendly creative workshop building miniature furniture. 11:00 AM–3:00 PM / Free

Gathered Botanicals: Kava Social Experience - Gathered Botanicals - Educational and tasting experience centered on kava culture and preparation. 1:30–2:45 PM / $30

Native Niche Plant Celebration - Speciation Cellars - Casual native plant sale and community gathering with drinks. 2:00–6:00 PM / Free

Merchants and Makers Spring Market - Fulton Street Market - Large artisan market with 120+ makers, food, and music. 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / $3

Bearly Dead – Here Comes Sunshine Tour - The Stache at The Intersection - Grateful Dead-inspired jam band performance. 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Madama Butterfly (Opera Grand Rapids) - DeVos Performance Hall - Opera reimagining of Puccini’s classic with AAPI-led creative team. 7:30 PM / $33.55–$117.85

Cider Week Comedy Show - Vander Mill Grand Rapids - Stand-up comedy showcase on the production floor. 7:30–9:00 PM / $15

Peter Pan (Ballet) - East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center - Ballet adaptation of the classic Peter Pan story. 4:30 PM / $10–$30

Heritage Tour of Homes (Day 1) - Heritage Hill Neighborhood - Historic home tour showcasing architecture and preservation. 5:30–9:00 PM / $29

Sunday, May 17

Merchants and Makers Spring Market - Fulton Street Market - Final day of artisan market with food, music, and vendors. 10:00 AM–3:00 PM / $3

Build-A-Bouquet Cookie Decorating Class - Spruced Studio - Cookie decorating workshop creating floral-themed edible arrangements. 1:00–3:00 PM / $72

House Plant Swap - Speciation Cellars - Community plant exchange and social gathering. 1:00–3:00 PM / Free

I Do at IDC (Brunch Event) - IDC - Brunch party with DJs, cocktails, and live entertainment. 11:00 AM–2:00 PM / $45

FREE High Score Comedy - The Pyramid Scheme - Free stand-up comedy showcase featuring local comedians. 8:00–10:00 PM / Free

Heritage Tour of Homes (Day 2) - Heritage Hill Neighborhood - Second day of historic home tours. 5:30–9:00 PM / $29

👩‍🦰 Celebrating Voigt House!

Did you know that the Voigt House was home to the Voigts until 1971? It was built in 1895 and donated to the city. You can take a peak inside here.

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Cider Week GR – May 8–16 @ Multiple Grand Rapids Locations – Nine days of cider tastings, orchard tours, pairing dinners, and celebrations of Michigan’s hard cider scene. – Various times / Prices vary

Michigan Cider Fest – May 16 @ Rosa Parks Circle – Outdoor festival featuring Michigan ciders, food trucks, music, and games in downtown Grand Rapids. – 3:00 PM–7:00 PM / Tickets required (21+ event)

Jelly Roll: The Little ASS Shed Tour – June 13 @ Acrisure Amphitheater – Grammy‑winning artist performs live with special guest Kashus Culpepper in a high‑energy summer concert. – 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Grand Rapids Asian‑Pacific Festival 2026 – June 12–13 @ Calder Plaza – Two days of cultural performances, art exhibits, cuisine, and family activities celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. – 11:00 AM–11:00 PM / Free (food & vendor costs 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.

Revive and Thrive 5K Run/Walk on May 16, 2026

Revive & Thrive’s Miles for Meals 5K on May 16, 2026

Eagles 1 Mile Color Run on May 16, 2026

Race for the Red 5K on May 16, 2026

K9K Race on May 17, 2026

Walk MS: Grand Rapids on May 30, 2026