Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Congrats Grand Rapids! We now hold a Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Fashion Show!

This weekend is the 6th Annual Be The One Run/Walk, btw, so there’s still a few days to sign up!

Let’s get into it! 🍂 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🏆 Grand Rapids Fashion Show Sets Record: The Acrisure Amphitheater’s inaugural season went out with a bang as its ArtPrize awards ceremony fashion show, held in collaboration with local designer RC Caylan, drew more than 3,600 attendees and surpassed the previous record held by a fashion show in India.

⛳ 24/7 Golf Opens in Standale: Locally owned 24/7 Golf is officially open in Standale, offering an around-the-clock practice space for golfers who can’t wait to get back on the green.

🍹 The Stray Celebrates 5 Years: This Saturday, Oct. 10, The Stray is celebrating five years in business with deals, drinks, music, discounted top-five drinks, and tickets to its rock show that night.

🎸 Acrisure Amphitheater Surpasses Expectations: The Acrisure Amphitheater drew an estimated 400,000 people during its inaugural season, surpassing everybody’s expectations.

🚌 Kent ISD Adds Electric Buses: Kent ISD is introducing 10 electric buses this year as the district begins adding electric vehicles to its transportation fleet.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Wednesday, October 7

Chef's Specialty - The Goei Center - Enjoy a strolling tasting featuring signature creations from West Michigan chefs, an open bar, seated program, dessert, live auction, and a celebration of Meals on Wheels Western Michigan. 5:30–8:30 PM / $175

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed - Wealthy Theatre - Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, and the Mystery Inc. gang investigate a monster outbreak in Coolsville caused by a machine bringing their former foes to life. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM movie / $8.64

The Jack Wharff Band - The Stache at The Intersection - The Jack Wharff Band brings The High Road Tour to Grand Rapids with support to be announced. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / $28.40

8th Annual Casino Royale - 5555 Glenwood Hills Pkwy SE - Enjoy casino games, food, drinks, friendly competition, and a raffle while supporting Children's Healing Center. 5:30–10:00 PM / $60 per person, $100 per couple

Rough Cut Night - Wealthy Theatre - Dirk Koning Micro Cinema - See filmmakers' work on the big screen and experience an evening of rough cuts, works in progress, and the creative process behind independent film. 5:30 PM doors / 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

Thursday, October 8

Bring Me The Horizon - Van Andel Arena - Bring Me The Horizon brings its POST HUMAN: NeX GEn – The Third Ascension Program to Grand Rapids with Motionless in White and The Plot in You. 7:00 PM / Price varies

Kenny Barron Trio Concert - St. Cecilia Music Center - Jazz Master Kenny Barron brings his elegant playing, sensitive melodies, and infectious rhythms to Grand Rapids with his trio. 7:30–9:00 PM / $50–$80

Matt Braunger - The Intersection - Comedian Matt Braunger brings his stand-up performance to Grand Rapids for an evening of observational humor and personal storytelling. 7:30 PM / $50–$83+

Books & Brews Trivia Night - Speciation Cellars - Join GRPL for a multi-round, multi-topic trivia night with craft beer and nonalcoholic beverages available for purchase. 6:30–8:30 PM / Free

An Evening with Sy Montgomery - Calvin University - Spend an evening with naturalist, conservationist, bestselling author, and documentary scriptwriter Sy Montgomery. 7:00–8:00 PM / Free

Friday, October 9

Alana Springsteen - Elevation - Alana Springsteen brings her I HOPE THIS HELPS TOUR to Grand Rapids with Kyle Schuesler. 6:30 PM doors / 7:30 PM show / $138

An Evening with John Cusack - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - John Cusack comes to Grand Rapids for an evening of conversation and entertainment. 7:00 PM / $52.50+

Tyler Gitchel - Live at the Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - Tyler Gitchel takes over the Stillhouse stage for a night of live music overlooking downtown Grand Rapids. 9:00 PM / $5

Free Show: The Fat Animals (Jam/Psych/Rock) - Speciation Cellars - The Fat Animals blend soul, funk, blues, and psychedelia with powerful vocals, dueling guitars, jammy classics, deep cuts, and originals. 9:00–11:00 PM / Free

A Night at Vytautas - Vytautas - North Kent Comedy and Ben Champion present a special stand-up showcase featuring comedians from NKC and hosted by Ben Champion. 7:00–8:30 PM / Free

Saturday, October 10

Jessica Kirson - The Intersection - SectionLive Comedy presents comedian Jessica Kirson for an evening of stand-up comedy. 7:00 PM doors / 8:00 PM show / $54.40–$78.15

FALL IN LOVE WITH CHARCUTERIE - Spruced Studio - Learn the art and science of arranging meats, cheeses, fruit, and other fall goodies while creating your own 12-inch charcuterie board to take home. 6:30–8:00 PM / $95

Joe DeRosa - The BIG Room - Comedian Joe DeRosa brings his stand-up show to Grand Rapids after six top-ten-charting comedy albums and numerous television, radio, and club appearances. 7:00 PM / $38.50 GA, $49 Premium GA

DJ Poppa Wheelie - Live at the Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - DJ Poppa Wheelie returns to the Stillhouse for a high-energy night of music, dancing, drinks, and weekend fun. 10:00 PM / $5

Straight to the Gallows: A dark comedy show - Wealthy Theatre - Four gallows-humor comedians bring a night of dark comedy to Grand Rapids, hosted by Vivian Burgett and featuring the Beaveman, Jared Scott, and Dale Earnhardt. 7:30 PM doors / 8:00–9:30 PM / $17.20

John C. Reilly is Mister Romantic - Fountain Street Church - John C. Reilly presents his Mister Romantic show, blending live musical performance and entertainment, with a portion of each ticket supporting Cosecha GR. 7:00 PM doors / 8:00 PM show / $56.36–$77.99

Autumn Weekends Live Music with Whorled & Bagpiper Paul Greinke - Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater - Enjoy world music influenced by Celtic, bluegrass, French café, and jazz traditions alongside seasonal food and harvest activities. 2:00–4:00 PM / Free

America at 250 - DeVos Performance Hall - The Grand Rapids Symphony and Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with music by Joan Tower, Z. Randall Stroope, and Amy Beach. 7:30–10:00 PM / $22–$110

Sunday, October 11

Skillet: Comatose 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour - Wealthy Theatre - Skillet brings its Comatose 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour to Grand Rapids for an afternoon of live music. 1:00 PM doors / 2:00 PM show / $10 general admission, $8 CMC & Wealthy Theatre members

Americana Sundays: An Afternoon with Sweet Dee and the Wild Honeys - ArtRat Gallery - Enjoy an afternoon of folk and Americana music celebrating a harmonic convergence of Michigan musical talent. 3:00–5:00 PM / $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Scene Queen: METALICIOUS - Elevation - Scene Queen brings her METALICIOUS Tour to Grand Rapids for a high-energy night of metal, pop-inspired sounds, powerful vocals, and bold performances. 7:00 PM doors / 8:00 PM show / $41

GRFS Presents: Stephen King's 'IT' - Wealthy Theatre - Seven outcast children confront an evil demon disguised as a child-killing clown, then reunite decades later when the creature returns to their hometown. 1:00 PM doors / 2:00 PM movie / $10 general admission, $8 CMC & Wealthy Theatre members

🍁 Celebrating our Guinness World Record!

Did you know that 3,618 attended Saturday’s ArtPrize ceremony and fashion show?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: The Greatest Show on Earth – Van Andel Arena – The Greatest Show on Earth returns to Grand Rapids with superhuman feats, spectacular performances, and an adrenaline-charged musical mashup featuring country star Maddox Batson. – October 29–November 1, 2026 / Times vary / Prices vary

Gabriel Iglesias: The 1976 Tour – Van Andel Arena – One of America's most popular stand-up comedians brings his large-scale touring show to Grand Rapids. – November 13, 2026 / 8:00 PM / Prices vary

CHRISTKINDL MARKT 2026 – Grand Rapids Downtown Market – Grand Rapids’ fourth annual Christkindl Markt brings an authentic European-inspired Christmas village to the Downtown Market with more than 60 artisan food and gift vendors, holiday entertainment, family activities, and seasonal drinks. – November 18–December 24, 2026 / Times vary / Prices vary

ENLIGHTEN Presented by PNC Bank – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Explore a transformed Meijer Gardens illuminated by spectacular light installations, music, interactive experiences, and a one-mile outdoor trail, followed by the beloved Christmas & Holiday Traditions display. – November 23, 2026–January 10, 2027 / 5:30–10:00 PM / $32 adults, $24 seniors and students, $16 children 3–13, free under 2

🏃 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.

Be the ONE 5k Run/Walk on October 9

Guiding Light 5K Run/Walk on October 10

University of Michigan Health-West Grand Rapids Marathon on October 18