Calendar
ONGOING
Zipline, Swan Rides, Frogs, and Sting Rays at the Zoo
Free admission all day Monday for all Grand Rapids residents to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Free admission Tuesday after 1:00 PM to the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Kids Day Wednesday 10:00AM-2:00PM at the Coopersville Farm Museum.
$1 admission to Family Night at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Thursdays from 5-8.
Lowe’s Build And Grow Clinics - alternating Saturdays from 10:00AM-11:00AM, check website for specific dates and projects.
Home Depot Kids Workshops - 9:00 AM first Saturday of the month. Check website for specific projects.
Kentwood Recreation Splash Pad
JUNE
6-8 Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids. It took me about 3 years of attending this to realize they had art. All I could concentrate on was the food. That, and the various dance schools with kid performances. I can sit in the portable bleachers, eating food on a stick and watch 12 year olds wearing ridiculous outfits thinking they are famous for hours on end. There is a lot for kids to do too; check out the “Kids Activities” page here.
7 10:00AM-2:00PM Free Craft Event at Michaels Stores. Paper flowers and bugs!
7-8 Free Fishing Weekend (statewide, and national).
9 Grand Rapids Wading Pools and Sprinkler Parks Open. This link opens up the Summer Recreation Guide - details on page 3.
13-14 Walker Festival. Family fun, children’s play area, food booths, and live music.
13-15 Rockford Start of Summer Celebration. Five years ago, I went to this with friends. I was pregnant with A.P. It was the start of summer for them, but for me, the realization that being pregnant when everyone else is not STINKS. It was the start of being hot, and tired, and the designated driver, always.
14 Cutlerville Days. Pancake breakfast, 5K race, parade, craft show, games, rides, food booths - the works!
14-15 Three Fires Pow Wow, Riverside Park. Unity celebration of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi Indians. There are also food and craft booths and of course, traditional dancing. Free.
19 “The Mane Event” 11:00AM-3:00PM - Trolley, Zoo, Children’s Museum, Aveda… who could ask for anything more? Check out this post for more details.
Maranda Park Party 12:00PM-2:00PM Garfield Park.
21 Summer Kickoff Party. “Country fair” style games, entertainment, concessions, face painting, and more. Pinery Park, 2301 DeHoop, Wyoming. 11:00AM-2:00PM. Free admission, fee for games and concessions.
21 Multicultural Farm Day Parade & Festival. Being that I have a degree in Anthropology, and live in Garfield Park, it would seem that this event is a natural fit for me. Honestly I’m not all sure what all this is about, but here is a description: “A parade featuring horses, wagons, and carriages, farm equipment, and bands take place on Hall and Jefferson streets. The festival features a petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, food, music, and entertainment. Garfield Park, 334 Burton St SE. 10:00AM-6:00PM. Free admission. 719-1418″
21 Eastown Bizarre Bazaar. Tunes, food, and fun things to buy. Plus that whole Eastown Atmosphere. Good stuff!
Grand Rapids Pools Open
23 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
25-26 180 Ways To Play Free Admission Days at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum from Network 180.
26 Maranda Park Party, 12:00-2:00PM. Berlin Raceway, Marne.
27 East West Karate’s Child Safety Day, 6:00PM. Seminars for parents and children to teach kids how to avoid being a victim, how to be confident saying NO, and other information to keep them safe in a fun, non-fearful environment. Call 532-1193 or visit East West Karate’s website.
30 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
30 All Faiths Day at the Whitecaps. Bring a church bulletin to the Whitecaps Ticket Office and receive half off the price of box and reserved seats.
JULY
7 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
14 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
15-19 National Baby Food Festival, Freemont.
16-20 Sparta Town and Country Days. There are parades, carnival rides, and a beer tent. And some other stuff, I think but that should be enough, no?
17 Maranda Park Party, 12:00-2:00PM. Cedar Springs Public School Complex.
21 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
23 West Michigan Environmental Academy of Science Preschool programs begin. These are FANTASTIC. Scroll down the page for the topics; they are free and on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
28 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
AUGUST
1. WGVU KidsDay at the Zoo. John Ball Park Zoo.
Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
11 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
18 Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer, Grand Rapids Public Museum, 2nd floor theater. Characters and animals from the pages of Michigan-authored books are brought to life through the tweets, whistles, wheezes and bangs of our accompanying Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 and Noon.
