The Rapid transit system provides a seamless bus network connecting visitors to and from downtown Grand Rapids.
DASH offers free rides around downtown every 15 minutes. Download the ‘Transit‘ app for the nearest stop and real-time info.
Area 9 Parking is also available for just $3 a day, and offer use of a free shuttle.
Many installations have lights that give a different look and feel to the exhibit during night hours (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Accessibility
It is advised to refer to each individual event for accessibility information.
Crowd sizes fluctuate and may impede visibility of certain installations for individuals with mobility issues. Most locations provide sidewalk accessibility. However, some installations are in park areas without pavement pathways. Please use caution during your visit.
WoW continues to work to make the festival experience as accessible as possible for all visitors, and are looking at accessibility improvements for the 2025 WoW festival.
Plan your visit ahead of time so you don’t miss out on any fun activities or art installations (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Snow gear tips
Elevate your WoW experience by being prepared with winter essentials! See the recommended list of gear from the WoW team.
This list is recommended but not required to attend or enjoy the festival.
Snow gear checklist:
Base Layers like leggings or long sleeved shirts (Wool/Silk/Polypropylene over Cotton)
Snow Pants (or a pair of pants over your bottom base layers)
Robinette’s is home of the Big Apple, which has been on the farm since 1973, nearly 50 years. Many of the apple orchard’s guests take pictures with the iconic, nine-foot apple located in the picnic area.
The corn maze opens sep. 6 and will run through Nov. 6. Maze tickets are $9 per person with children 2 and under free. Hours for the maze are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The 125-acre Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery was purchased by Edward Robinette in 1911, when he found the farm while he was visiting a friend in Grand Rapids. When he purchased it, the farm was solely a fruit tree farm made of apples, peaches and Cherries.
The farm still maintains these fruit trees, but has started expanding in 1971 with the cider mill, followed by donuts in 1972 and the Apple Haus in 1973. The gift barn came in 1985, and the winery was opened in 2006. Other additions have included pies, lunches, and more added every year.
Robinette’s is now open year round. For hours, activities and more information, visit www.robinettes.com
Memorial Day is a national holiday that honors fallen soldiers. (pxhere.com)
While for many it is the “official start of summer,” Memorial Day is designed to honor those who have fallen while serving during a war.
It originally was designated for those who had fallen during the Civil War and was observed only on May 30. However the custom grew and by the 19th Century, many communities across the country had Memorial Day celebrations. In 1971, the federal government declared “Memorial Day” a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday of the month of May. There was a splitting of ceremonies, with some municipalities choosing to celebrate on the last Monday of May while others deciding to keep with the traditional May 30 for Memorial Day activities.
Due to leap years and calendar configurations, every once in awhile, Memorial Day lands on May 30, which is what has happened for 2022. So there will be several Memorial Day events honoring fallen heroes throughout West Michigan.
Since it is a national holiday, government offices such as Kent County, the City of Kentwood, and the City of Wyoming, will be closed.
Kentwood Memorial Day Parade
Wreaths are laid during the Kentwood Memorial Day ceremony.
The D.W. Cassard Post, along with the Amvets Post, will host a parade in Kentwood at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30. The parade kicks off from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), near the corner of 48th Street and Eastern Avenue. From there, it will head west down 48th Street to Kentwood’s Veteran’s Memorial Park, located in front of the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. At the park, there will be a ceremony including the laying of the five wreaths, one for each of the branches of military service: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
WKTV will be taping the Kentwood parade and service which is scheduled to air at 12:30 and 8 p.m. on Comcast Channel 25 and on wktv.org.
Wyoming Memorial Day Program
The City of Wyoming will be hosting its annual Memorial Day program Monday, May 30, from 7 – 8 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Garden, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW. (This is located in front of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety building.)
The City of Wyoming will host its Memorial Day program at Veteran’s Memorial Garden. (Photo by Harriet Sturim)
Mayor Jack Poll will emcee and the Lee High School band is scheduled to perform. This year’s guest speaker will be Sean Moriarty. Moriarty is currently a student at Grand Valley State University pursing a degree in Applied Food and Nutrition from the College of Health Professions.
Moriarty enrolled at GVSU after serving eight years of active duty with the United States Coast Guard, where he was a medical corpsman. He sailed onboard the CGC Campbell in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, performing anti-terrorism duties with the Naval Support Activity in Manama, Bahrain, and providing clinical and emergency services at U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston in Massachusetts.
After coming to Michigan, Moriarty enlisted with the Air National Guard as a public affairs specialist where he currently serves in Battle Creek. He is accompanied by his wife, Justine, who is also currently enlisted with the U.S. Coast Guard in Grand Haven.
WKTV will be taping the Memorial Day program, which will air at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast Channel 25 and on wktv.org.
Other Memorial Day programs
The United States Air Force Band from Washington, D.C. has produced two solemn videos to honor the nation’s fallen heroes this Memorial Day. The first video features the Ceremonial Brass, one of the Band’s six ensembles, performing “Goin’ Home,” with narration by General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force. WKTV will air the “Goin’ Home” video at several times on Memorial Day. Those times are 9:28 a.m., 10:30 a.m, 12:27 p.m., 3:57 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 10:28 p.m.
The second video features stunning aerial visuals of the bugler, Technical Sgt. Jason Covey, as he solemnly performs “Taps” at Culpeper National Cemetery in Culpeper, Virginia. The unique perspective provided by the drone reveals the scope of sacrifice made by our military members over countless generations. The “Taps” video will air 9:55 a.m., 11:03 a.m., 1 p.m., 7:43 p.m., 9:11 p.m., and 12:08 a.m.
Both programs may be seen on the Comcast Channel 25 or on wktv.org.
An Emerald Swallowtail is just one of the many butterflies visitors will see at this year’s “Butterflies are Blooming.” (Supplied)
Bold butterflies are flying in for Spring! The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park’s annual Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition is back.
Beginning March 1 through April 30 thousands of butterflies will be taking over the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. The 15,000 square-foot conservatory is set at 85 degrees with 70 percent humidity. New this year is the kokedama arch that is filled with colorful penta, lantana, bromeliads, and orchids. During the exhibition, several flowers will be blooming including orange plume, blue porter weed, jatropha, queen’s wreath, and bleeding heart vines.
This year’s exhibition highlights the power of flowers and the positive and powerful impact flowers have on butterflies, people, and the world.
“Our goal is to bring an awareness of the important relationships butterflies and humans have with flowers, and to show the positive and powerful impact flowers have on butterflies, people, and the world,” said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture.
More than 60 species of butterflies reside in the warm, lush environment of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. These creatures come from butterfly-rich regions around the world including parts of Asia, Africa, and Central & South America. Every week an average of 1,000 pupae arrive at the gardens and guests can view the new arrivals at the observation station. At this station, the conservatory staff collects and releases adult butterflies throughout the day.
The Caterpillar Room, in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features monarch caterpillars. The greenhouse is filled with milkweed host plants for the hungry caterpillars to feed on.
At the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, young guests can participate in outdoor activities. The children’s garden has unique educational activities for all ages to enjoy. In the Log Cabin guests can perform their own butterfly-themed puppet shows or read about moths and butterflies. The garden features a special Treehouse Village hunt, a Butterfly Maze, and the Monarch’s Migration game. Check the Children’s Garden Information Center for activities and times, which vary daily.
Through the exhibition, the gardens will be putting on several special events and recurring activities including:
The Lena Conservatory will be filled with an array of different butterflies from March 1 to April 31. (Supplied)
Outdoor Children’s Activities
March 1 – Friday, April 30, daylight hours only
Lena Meijer Children’s Garden
Included with admission
Tuesday Night Lights
Included with admission
Bring your flashlight on Tuesday nights until 9 p.m. to search for butterflies and see the nightlife in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.
SMART Gardening to Support Monarchs (Lecture)
March 13, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Included with admission
Dr. Erwin “Duke” Elsner Extension Educator, Michigan State University, will explore simple ways landowners and gardeners can support monarch butterfly populations in their own backyards. During his presentation he will highlight simple ways to create a significant “green space” in urban and residential areas.
Flower House Detroit (Lecture)
March 27, 2 p.m.
Included with admission
Lisa Waud, Botanical Artist, Flower House Detroit
In October 2015, 37 floral designers and more than 100 volunteers from across North America came together to fill an abandoned Detroit house with American-grown fresh flowers and living plants. In this lecture, botanical installation artist, Lisa Waud will be presenting virtually to the audience at Meijer Gardens. She will be sharing her project from idea to exploration along with her thoughts on beauty, blight, and nostalgia, and the themes of risk-taking, logistics, and collaboration through the lens of the large-scale installation.
Flower Power Exploration Stations
April 24, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Included with admission
Learn about flowers and butterflies during a self guided drop-in program. Guests can use microscopes and IPads as they explore the connection between flowers and butterflies.
Night With The Butterflies – Family Parties
March 14, March 20, April 18, 6 – 8 p.m.
This party will include entertainment, an art activity, and a light snack.
The gardens request that all visitors wear a face mask in indoor public settings regardless of their vaccination status. During the exhibition, tripods are not allowed in the conservatory and monopods may only be used with courtesy around other guests. No butterfly or plant materials can be removed from the conservatory and guests are not permitted to touch the butterflies.
The exhibit runs through April 30. Members can attend the exhibit for free, while students and children receive a discount. For more details about the butterfly exhibition, visit www.meijergardens.org
Holiday break for many schools starts at about 3:30 p.m. Friday with most students being out for around two weeks.
Students have the opportunity to explore the Museum during the Snowflake Break camps. (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Holiday activities take up some of the time during the two-week break but whether it is waiting for or after all the presents are unwrapped, there is time when everybody is looking for something to do.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum announced that it will bring back its Snowflake Break, which will run from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2. Snowflake Break features special exhibits and activities and includes the traveling exhibits “POPnology,” and “Bats: Masters of the Night,” along with educational Snowflake Break Camp opportunities for area children.
“Snowflake Break at the Museum is the perfect experience for families seeking fun activities to do during the holiday break,” said Kate Kocienski, the Museum’s VP of Marketing & Public Relations. “We’re pleased to offer reduced admission for Kent County residents everyday, including free admission for kids 17 and under. Snowflake Break is an ideal time for local families to take advantage of these benefits to explore, learn and create lifelong holiday memories.”
The three floors at the Museum have holiday-themed decorations and activities. Festival favorites returning include the historic Grand Rapids LEGO® Bricks display, oversized games in the Galleria, and the popular Santa and Elf Hunt that encourages visitors to explore the Museum to find 12 elves hidden in peculiar sports, while also learning about 15 Santas from around the world.
Through Jan. 2, the Chaffee Planetarium will feature “Let It Snow!” with classic holiday music paired a visual show.
A current exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum is “Bats: Masters o the Night.” (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Snowflake Break Camps are also available for kids in first through sixth grade, with pre-registration required. For two weeks campers will use the Museum as a learning lab – experimenting, learning and growing – all while exploring the permanent and traveling exhibits at the Museum. Camps will be limited to 16 registrants per session, and are $40 per child, with a reduced rate of $30 per child for GRPM members. Campers will be provided with supplies for each activity. Various safety measures will be in place to ensure a low-risk environment for learners and educators. To learn more or to register for Snowflake Break Camps, visit grpm.org/educlasses.
Organist Dave Wickerham will present a night of holiday music on the GRPM’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater organ on Dec. 17 and 18 with tickets available at grpm.org.
Holiday displays are included with general admission to the Museum. Kent County residents receive reduced admission every day with free admission for Kent County children 17 and under! Kent County adults are only $5 for general admission and Kent County seniors are $3. Advance ticket reservation is recommended, for a seamless, contactless entry. Visit grpm.org to reserve today. Kent County residents also receive free parking in the Museum’s ramp for their visit. The Museum encourages all visitors to wear a face mask, regardless of their vaccination status, to help curb the spread of Covid 19 in our community.
Other activities:
The Grand Rapids Art Museum will be featuring the exhibits “An Art of Changes: Jasper Johns Prints, 1960-2018,” which surveys six decades of output from one of America’s greatest living artists, and “The Black Ash Basketry of Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish,” showcases a centuries-old Anishinaabe tradition.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is featuring the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express, formerly the Breton Village Miniature Train Display, which includes replicas of South High School, Bill’s Place diner and other significant structures in the president’s Grand Rapids life.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.
32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
John Ball IllumiZoo Hues (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Pretty Lights
John Ball Zoo’s IllumiZoo Wild Hues opens this weekend at John Ball Zoo. During a sneak peek, our group got to tour the grounds and check out some of the amazing lights that literally transform the zoo into a mystical, magical place. Make sure to check it out. The show is open through Nov. 14 and we learned that the light displays do change as the season moves closer to Halloween. (No scary staff.) Check out the story by clicking here.
Ready, set, write
Write Michigan has returned! Writers of all ages are invited to enter, with separate categories for youth, teens, adults and Spanish language (12 and younger). Winning entries will be published and receive cash prizes. Entries need to be submitted by Nov. 30. For more information visit www.writemichigan.org.
Labor Day in Belding
This weekend, especially Monday, is not just a three-day weekend but an opportunity to recognize the contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. This weekend, the community of Belding will be hosting a Labor Day celebration, Sept. 3 – 6. Centered around an eighties theme, the four-day event features parades, games, karaoke, fireworks, a talent competition and an 80s beer tent. For complete details, visit www.beldinglaborday.org.
Fun Fact: They Took a Seat
“I am confident that when it is all over with there will be a better understanding between employer and employee and better still conditions will be improved under which men and women labor and live.” Former Michigan Governor Frank Murphy
In 1936, GM employees at Flint’s GM Fisher Number One Plant lead a 44-day sit-in that would become the most important strike in American history because it changed the United Automobile Workers (UAW) from a collection of isolated individuals into a major union, ultimately leading to the unionization of the United States automobile industry. GM did not receive the support it had hoped from state officials including the governor with local officials unable to move the workers out. On Feb. 11, 1937, with GM’s production severely crippled, the strike came to an end with an agreement that gave birth to the UAW.
The fun never ends at Wyoming’s Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Centers. Having been in the community for 22 years, Craig’s Cruisers provides a host of activities from mini golf to go-carts. In 2009, it added the 700-capacity seating restaurant – the largest seating capacity restaurant in Kent County – and a few years ago expanded again to add an inside roller coaster, laser tag, trampolines, and a Ninja obstacle course. Marketing Manager Cait Thrasher filled us in on some of the details about the popular family fun spot.
Name of business: Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Centers
What is your business? (IE: Restaurant serving Italian specialities, gift shop, manufacture of auto parts): Family Fun Center / Amusement / Entertainment
How long has your business been operating? The business began in Silver Lake, Michigan, in 1979. We’ve been in Wyoming since 1999.
How did your business get started? In 1979 Craig Cihak and his parents Ron & Donna Cihak purchased property in Silver Lake, Michigan (formerly Bill’s Dune Rides). They started the first go-kart track with just eight go-karts. Each spring for several years, new attractions were added. Campers and seasonal tourists at the beautiful sand dune vacation spot patronized the first Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center. As patronage grew, so did the business. In 1990, a second location was built in Muskegon. In 1994, a third location was built in Holland, and in 1999, a fourth location was built in Grand Rapids (Wyoming).
Craig’s Cruisers has the largest capacity restaurant in Kent County. (Supplied)
Why did you decide to locate your business in the Wyoming/Kentwood area? Craig’s Cruisers wanted to be able to offer indoor entertainment for guests through all four of Michigan’s seasons. After much research and planning the doors to our fourth Grand Rapids (Wyoming) location opened in December 1999. The first offerings included: indoor electric go-karts, laser tag, video arcade, private party/meeting rooms, full kitchen and four outdoor attractions.
What has been the greatest challenge for your business? Recently, operating during the pandemic with the ever-changing restrictions and regulations. The covid restrictions have been very hard on the entertainment and hospitality industry.
What is the most popular product/item at your business/restaurant? Go-Karts
What is a Wyoming/Kentwood business you like to visit during your free time? Express Signs on 44th St. is a business that we use on a regular basis. On a personal note, nothing beats Marge’s Donut Den!
Hopes for 2021: We hope to see covid numbers and restrictions disappear so we can continue to host our customers. We hope to see the return of school field trips and corporate outings. Lastly, to continue to offer a safe, clean and fun space for guests to make memories!
One of the recent additions was the rollercoaster. (Supplied)
What was important wasn’t the fireworks, it was that we were together this evening, together in this place, looking up into the sky at the same time.
Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto
There will be a lot bangs and booms this weekend as communitiie’s celebrate the Fourth of July. (Pxhere.com)
Fireworks, Fireworks, Fireworks
Considering the last year and half and how we have not had much to celebrate, we thought this week’s Snapshots would be a little different since this week is the nation’s biggest birthday celebration of the year.
Yes it is July 4th weekend, so haul out those sparklers and get ready for some booms since the COVID restrictions are lifted. The bonus is July 4th is on a Sunday with many people having Monday off as well. With that in mind, there will be fireworks throughout the weekend.
Leading the celebrations will be the City of Kentwood, which has a day full of activities and fireworks for Saturday, July 3. Highlights include a parade starting at 9:30 a.m. The parade route will start at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE, travel south on Walma Avenue SE to Breton Avenue SE, then turn west on 52nd Street SE and end at Challenger Elementary School, 2475 52nd St. SE.
City Hall will be the main hub this year with a carnival from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and an evening celebration from 4 – 10 p.m. with the fireworks capping off the night.
Other cities with July 4th events are:
Caledonia: The township will have a day-long celebration Saturday, July 3, starting with a parade at 11 a.m. and stepping off from the Duncan Lake Middle School and with the festivities concluding at 10 p.m. with fireworks.
Dorr: The township will be hosting a three-day event starting on July 2. The parade is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 3, and will go through downtown Dorr. The fireworks will be around 10:20 (ish) on Saturday as well. Sunday will include more live entertainment and the movie “Back to the Future” in the park.
Grandville: Will have a two-day celebration with a 5k run, baseball and softball games, and tours of the one-room school house at Heritage Park on Saturday, July 3; and a carinval and other activities including fireworks on July 5.
Grand Rapids: The city will have a jam-packed evening of activities from 6 – 10 p.m. Saturday, July 3, that will include entertainment and fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
While fireworks have been around for thousands of years, the one color that no pyrotechnician has been able to perfect is the color blue. In order to get the right distinctive colors, there are two main components that are use and packed tightly. One is an oxidizer that is an oxygen-rich chemical and a fuel source like charcoal or sulfur that can burn. The reason few have been able to get the color blue is because if the temperature is too high for the emitter, which is copper, it washes off the light and stops emitting. If it is too low, there is no intensity and you do not get the right blue color. Because there are so many colors in the sky producing an array of patterns that most people do not notice the missing blue.
In an effort to educate and build a bridge of understanding, the City of Wyoming is hosting its first-ever Juneteenth event this Saturday at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW.
The free event will run from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature an array of programs on such topics as history, hair and the CROWN Act legislation, COVID 19 and the black health disparities, the Black Freedom Struggle and discussion on the Emancipation proclamation and the 13th Amendment.
“I wanted to create an intimate space that there could be an exchange of learning about the Black culture,” said Wyoming resident Dana Knight, who through the Wyoming Cultural Enrichment Commission, organized the Juneteenth event.
Juneteenth is an annual celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day – June 19, 1865 – that a Union General issued an order announcing the end of the war and freeing enslaved African Americans in Texas. The order was signed in Galveston one day after the Union Army arrived in the western most Confederate state, two months after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
The City of Grand Rapids has hosted a Juneteenth event for the past several years and Knight, who had lived in Grand Rapids, said she found herself heading to Grand Rapids to participate in cultural activities. After joining the Wyoming Cultural Enrichment Commission, she said discussed with the commission about hosting similar cultural events in Wyoming.
The Commission was open to the idea, according to Knight, and has planned several cultural events, including something for Black History Month and Juneteenth 2022, for next year.
“There was discussion that there was money leftover this year because of COVID and the fact that there were no concerts last summer,” Knight said. “I said, if you approve it, we still have time to have a Juneteenth event this year.”
The Wyoming Cultural Enrichment Commission gave the green light with Knight then looking for a location to have the event. It was a challenge, as COVID restrictions had not been lifted.
“I was driving past (Calvary Christian Reformed Church) and it just struck me that they are always doing something for the community,” Knight said. “They have food trucks. They have a community dinner. They are just very involved with the community.”
Calvary Christian Reformed Church agreed to be the host site and from there, Knight began lining up speakers and presenters to focus on different topics such as the CROWN legislation act, which is focused on helping to end hair discrimination. There also will be discussions on the Freedom Rides, Marvin Gayes “What’s Going On,” racism as a public health crisis, the 1972 Black political convention and poetry presentations along with exhibits and artifacts.
“This is a cross cultural, cross racial opportunity for people who don’t have the opportunity to be around each other to talk and learn, to see each other as humans, as regular people,” Knight said.
The event will be filmed by WKTV and aired at a later date. Wyoming’s Juneteenth event is Saturday, June 19, from noon to 4 p.m. at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 3500, Byron Center Ave. SW.
When Wyoming resident Barb Hoover learned that the Wyoming Senior Center would reopen on March 8, she was one of the first people to walk through the doors.
“It was fabulous,” Hoover said with a smile on her face as she waited for the walking club program to start. it was her second visit to the facility within three days. “It is a different thing to be able to walk in and participate with others”
“It is nice to see people and socialize and be able to talk to people your own age,” said Wyoming resident Lee Wilholit. “It is great to be able to get out and see how others are doing.”
Wyoming resident and volunteer lead for the walking club Joel Anderson talks to Wyoming resident Barb Hoover before the club heads out. (WKTV)
For Wyoming resident Tina Packer, she couldn’t wait to take advantage of some of the services the center offers to seniors.
“It is especially nice when you can come and get help with something like your taxes,” Packer said. “My husband can’t get around as much so it is great that I am able to come in here and someone is able to help us because I don’t know a thing about taxes.”
It’s been four months since the facility closed for the second statewide shutdown, which took place in November.
“Everyday the phones would ring,” said Wyoming Senior Center Director Chad Boprie. “Even more so when some else would announce they would be offering bingo.”
Bingo still will not be taking place but other popular programs such as bean bag baseball, needles and yarn, ping pong, painting club, technology club, rubber stamping, bike club, and the walking club are happening as well as the game room is open. Pre-registration is required for all programs with capacity capped at 25. The game room has two pool tables open by appointment.
“I am really glad to be back into the swing of things,” said Wyoming resident Joel Anderson, who is a volunteer lead for the center’s walking club and bike club as well as president of the Fellowship Club.
“This is the time of year when all of my activities start to ramp up so it’s nice to be able to have the center open,” Anderson said.
Attendance has been small, but Boprie said that is OK. The decision was made to have a soft opening before ramping up the activities.
Last summer, when the center was able to reopen after the first statewide shutdown, its patios and parking lots were utilized for program activities to help maintain the required social distancing. Boprie said staff plans to do the same this spring and summer.
“Basically, every spot that wasn’t doing much became a place of activity,” Boprie said. “If it had a concrete space, we began to utilize it.”
The Wyoming Senior Center walking club gather in the center’s main room before heading out on their walk. (WKTV)
There are a few things not open such as the coffee shop, which Recreation Supervisor Krashawn Martin said they hope to open soon once they have more guidance from the state. Until then, food and beverages will not be sold.
But that is OK, said Wyoming resident Norine Shae because her reason for coming back centers on “being active and having some fun.”
Wyoming resident Theresa Morse smiles and then adds “You take it all for grant until it is gone.”
The Wyoming Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday. For more information, call 616-530-3190 or visit the center’s website.
While not the thousands of people it would normal host during Spring Break, the Salvation Army Kroc Center will be offering limited activities for the annual vacation time for families.
With the COVID-19 pandemic preventing many families from traveling during Spring Break, Kroc Center officials decided to step in and offer opportunities for families to get out of the house and have fun safely.
Families and groups are encouraged to sign up for a group session. (supplied)
“Spring Break is normally our busiest week of the year, but last year we were closed entirely as COVID was just starting to spread,” said Captain Bill Brutto, senior Kroc officer. “This year, we really want to give families a chance to take part in their favorite Kroc Center activities, while making sure safety is still the top priority.”
Each day, April 5–9, Kroc Center recreation areas will be available for exclusive private experiences between 12:30 and 2:30pm, when the rest of the building is closed to members for cleaning. Families are encouraged to gather with friends and relatives they feel comfortable creating a “pod” with to take advantage of the group activities.
The available activities include:
The Aquatics Center, including giant waterslide, lazy river, and more, with lifeguard supervision.
$350 for up to 35 total guests
The Gymnasium (two courts available), including several options for sports equipment, plus an attendant.
$125 for up to 15 total guests
The Worship and Performing Arts Center, including bounce houses and other games, plus an attendant.
$100 for up to 15 total guests
All guests will be expected to follow health and safety guidelines put in place by the State of Michigan’s epidemic orders while at the Kroc Center. This includes temperature checks and health screenings upon entry, along with requirements on face coverings during all activities (except swimming).
“While we would love to be able to offer the full Spring Break experience, it’s not possible with the capacity limitations we still have from the state,” Brutto said. “We felt this would be the next best way to give families opportunities to enjoy the Kroc in a way that helps them feel safe and comfortable.”
Colonial Michilimackinac, a colonial fort and fur trading village on the shore of Lake Michigan in Mackinaw City, will host several events in the coming days in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Mackinac State Historic Parks.
“These three events allow us to share some new and exciting elements of Michilimackinac with visitors, including things like the Fire at Night that we’ve never done before,” said Craig Wilson, Curator of History for Mackinac State Historic Parks. “Even if someone has visited in the past, I would invite them to come back and see what’s new, not just with these special programs but with our regular activities and exhibits.”
First, on Thursday, July 9, Michilimackinac will host a Fire at Night, allowing guests to see Michilimackinac’s weapons fired as the sun sets. Staff, dressed as British soldiers, will fire a wall gun, mortar and cannon on the beach with the magnificent Mackinac Bridge as the backdrop. Guests can enter through the secondary entrance on Straits Avenue at 9:00 p.m., and the program will start at 9:30 p.m. This is a free event.
Michilimackinac at Work: Labor and Trades weekend takes place July 11-12 during regular hours at Colonial Michilimackinac. Michilimackinac was a hardworking community in the 18th century. Voyageurs, blacksmiths, laundresses, clerks, and soldiers all plied their trades at the fort, employing both skilled and unskilled labor. Join the interpretive staff as they demonstrate a variety of tasks that made up the world of work at Michilimackinac in the 18th century.
Regular admission to Colonial Michilimackinac includes all the special events included with the themed weekend. The schedule for the weekend includes:
10:00 a.m. – ‘For Want of a Smith:’ Blacksmithing at Michilimackinac Program
11:00 a.m. – Soap and Water: Laundresses at Work Program
12:00 p.m. – Musket Demonstration and Soldier’s Duties Program
1:00 p.m. – People of the Fur Trade Program
2:00 p.m. – At Work at Michilimackinac: Enslaved and Domestic Labor Program
3:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill
4:00 p.m. – ‘For Want of a Smith:’ Blacksmithing at Michilimackinac Program
5:00 p.m. – ‘She Was Very Generally Respected:’ Women at Michilimackinac Program
6:00 p.m. – People of the Fur Trade Program
6:30 p.m. – Musket Demonstration
Finally, on Wednesday, July 15, Michilimackinac will be host to its second “Hidden Histories” evening. Focusing on marriage and the British army, this program will explore the complexities of love, marriage, and long-distance relationships in the British military of the 18th century. The entrance for this event will be at the secondary entrance on Straits Avenue, and this is a free event.
Appropriate social distancing will take place during all events, and all guests are expected to wear masks inside buildings and when social distancing is impossible.
Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its sites—which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums—include Fort Mackinac, the Biddle House, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Historic Downtown Mackinac, and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park and Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks’ rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at (231) 436-4100 or on the web at www.mackinacparks.com.
Spring weather is just around the corner, and for those of us located in northern climes, it can’t come soon enough. Though our homes in Michigan and northern Ohio have been teasing us with sunshine, here at Vista Springs, we’ve been making preparations for warm weather. Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but we’ve prepared a list of some of our favorite senior activities for spring.
1. Enjoy nature. Here in the Midwest, people tend to catch cases of spring fever at the first hint of sunshine. As cold days fade into breezy ones, and the grass begins to turn green, shaking off the winter by going on nature walks is a great way to enjoy spring. Make going outdoors a habit for the truly amazing experience of watching the greenery come to life as the season progresses.
2. Do some spring cleaning. Cleaning isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but there’s something uniquely satisfying about airing out your rooms in spring. Do some dusting, change the linens, and give yourself a fresh start once winter is through.
3. Bring out the spring recipes. Springtime is associated with flowers, but there are plenty of foods that evoke the season. March through May bring asparagus spears, artichokes, fennel, watercress, and radishes, and fresh picked veggies are great for the body and spirit. And, of course, Easter celebrations bring brightly colored eggs and brunches made for sharing with family and friends. What are your spring recipes?
4. Take a day trip. Take advantage of the so-called “shoulder season,” between on- and off-peak seasons for popular vacation destinations, by taking a short trip to a nearby city or attraction. You get the advantages of warmer weather without the crowds and high prices. Visit lakes, mountains, big cities, museums, shopping destinations — whatever tickles your fancy.
5. Visit a nursery. When trees begin to bud, it’s a great time to visit a local nursery. Try out your green thumb by choosing some spring perennials for an outdoor garden, start an herb garden in your kitchen for fresh herbs year-round, or choose some potted plants to brighten up your interiors. You’ll be amazed at the fresh, lively atmosphere inherent to nurseries that you can bring home with you.
6. Start bird watching. Everyone knows to keep an eye out for the first robin of spring, and the sound of birdsong in the morning is one of the truest heralds of warmer weather. Invest in a bird feeder and bird seed for easy bird watching, or make your own for a fun creative activity. Learning what types of songbirds are local to your area can help you learn more about the ecosystem as a whole, and watching for rare species brings excitement to each quiet moment.
Are you as excited for spring weather as we are? These fun senior activities will help you get the most out of the season. Whether you enjoy getting outdoors or enjoying a lighter, brighter atmosphere inside, there’s something about spring that brings out a passion for life that deserves to be celebrated.
Labor Day this year is Monday, September 5th, and West Michigan is ready to celebrate. The extended weekend is considered the unofficial end of summer as we make our way into the fall. It is also a day dedicated to workers across the country. In honor of this national holiday, many businesses are planning big events all weekend or special offers for guests.
South
Photo courtesy of Round Barn Winery
Round Barn Winery in Baroda is hosting their Fruits of Labor event on Labor Day Weekend. Stop by with your whole family from September 3rd to 5th to take a well-deserved break from work. There will be a bounce house, inflatable slide, live music and yard games. And of course there will be specialty cocktails, wine and craft brews for the adults.
Crane Orchards in Fennville is having their Centennial Celebration on September 3rd. With two bands, food and fun things for kids, this is shaping up to be a great time for the whole family. There will also be hayrides, tasting bar, hard cider, and the hard-to-beat U-Pick apples. Enjoy what Crane Orchards is dubbing the “Party of the Century.”
Crane Orchards
Head to Coldwater Country for something different this Labor Day weekend. Check out the railroad where you can climb aboard for a 45-minute, push-pull ride. Sit back and relax on this peaceful steam engine ride. Bring your own picnic snacks or purchase refreshments at the snack bar. Tickets are only $10 for this unique and fun experience.
Central
Grab your walking shoes and join the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for their 10th Annual Labor Day Community Walk on September 5th. This is the perfect alternative if you’re unable to make it out to Mackinac for the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. Join your friends and neighbors in this active event. The Community Walk recently received the Pure Michigan FITness Endorsement.
The River Country Chamber of Commerce’s Logging Festival is Labor Day Weekend from September 2nd to 4th. Check out the arts and crafts show and chainsaw carving demonstrations all weekend. The farmers market will be Friday only and is perfect for celebrating the harvest.
The Polish Festival is from September 2nd to 4th. This three-day festival will offer Polish food, polka music, dancing, cultural activities, a children’s tent, a Catholic mass and much more. Everyone is invited for an authentic Polish experience in the heart of Muskegon.
The West Michigan United Labor Day Parade is September 5th from 11 am to 12:30 pm with a post-parade celebration until 4 pm. This is an all-inclusive community parade through the streets of downtown Muskegon. The free post parade celebration following the parade will have food, refreshments, cotton candy, games, prizes, face painting, bounce houses, arts and crafts and more.
September is the month of cooler weather and colors changing in the foliage. One thing that doesn’t change is the level of fun at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury. Whether you’re commemorating the end of summer with a Labor Day weekend stay or planning to see the colors turn later in the month, this 1200-acre, four-season getaway offers excitement and relaxation.
Photo courtesy of the Michigan Maritime Museum
South Haven/Van Buren County is getting crafty this Labor Day weekend with the South Haven All Crafts Fair on September 3rd and 4th. The 2016 South Haven All Crafts Fair will feature over 150 local, regional and national artists. There will be jewelry, sculptures, pottery, paintings, needlework and more! The fair sets up the perfect opportunity to expand art collections, shop for unique jewelry or just view the beautiful arts provided. Grab a seat and enjoy the shaded beauty of Stanley Johnson Park or take the time to walk a block further in either direction to enjoy the sandy shores of Lake Michigan or visit the historical Michigan Maritime Museum. The annual art fair creates a relaxed, inviting environment with artwork the whole family will appreciate.
Labor Day is coming quickly and in Mecosta County, that means the 48th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival is coming up. Hosted on September 5th, the Arts and Crafts Festival starts at 10 am and runs until 4 pm. There will be a lot of talented local artists presenting their wares for you to check out.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Walloon
North
Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville has several additional activities and specials going on during Labor Day Weekend.
On September 3rd, kick back and relax under the stars while watching Angry Birds on the outdoor deck pool. Tubes will be available so you can float in the pool while watching the film.
The Last Splash Pool Party will be on September 4th. Enjoy the last splash of summer at the Labor Day pool party! Party includes live DJ, contests and games including a limbo contest, giant volleyball game, hula hoop contest and giveaways!
Celebrate the unofficial last day of summer on September 5th with a variety of 2-for-1 discounts on the following: Alpine Slide Rides (single or all day), Park at Water’s Edge (day pass), climbing wall (single pass), adventure course (single pass), bike rentals, paintball, laser tag and disc golf.
Hotel Walloon situated on Walloon Lake is the perfect Labor Day weekend getaway. Guests of the Village of Walloon can enjoy the beach, rent kayaks, pontoon boats and paddleboards, dine at many of the area restaurants and more. Plus, during Labor Day weekend, there will be a Boat in Movie showing of Field of Dreams in the Village Green Park, playing approximately 20 minutes after sunset. Movies in the open air are a great way to celebrate the end of summer.
Courtesy of visitcharlevoix.com
Labor Day in Charlevoix is the perfect time to enjoy a long weekend up north. It’s a great time to explore Charlevoix’s waterways and spend the weekend cruising on Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not check out Wildwood Rush and their fast paced zip lining canopy tours? After a day on the water or zip ling, grab dinner and dessert downtown Charlevoix to top off an incredible Labor Day weekend.
If you’re in Charlevoix, why not head out to Beaver Island over Labor Day? Hitch a ride with the Beaver Island Boat Company over to the island on Friday, September 2nd and catch the morning half marathon on September 3rd. The Beaver Island half marathon will cover 13.1 miles over a various surfaces and beautifully changing scenery. They promise that it will be one of the most beautiful runs most people will ever do with wonderful variety, good shape, excellent surfaces and only a few gentle hills.
Beaver Island
The long holiday weekend is the perfect time to squeeze in one last getaway to Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. With boating, biking, golf and more, Shanty Creek Resorts offers the perfect balance of relaxation and recreation. Take this opportunity to make one last summer splash and tons of family memories.
Labor Day weekend is your last chance to see some of the amazing exhibits at Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. The following exhibits will no longer be at the museum after Labor Day so visit soon to see them!
Looking Back to the Beginning: Paintings of Clif McChesney and Glassworks of Dale Chihuly
Exhibited and Acquired: 25 Years of Exhibitions
Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds
Soo Sunny Park: Unwoven Light
lhwa Kim: ‘Seed Universe 天下圖’
lhwa Kim: ‘Seed Universe 天下圖’ at Dennos Museum
Coyote Crossing Resort in Cadillac is hosting the 9th Annual Hoxeyville Classic Car Show on September 4th. The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast followed by a day of checking out all of the classic cars across the lawn of Coyote Crossing. The event benefits diabetes research. Hang out with fellow car enthusiasts during this extended weekend.
The Petoskey Area is kicking off their Fall Color Tour collaboration with Stafford’s Bay View Inn over Labor Day Weekend. From September 4th to October 27th, you can enjoy Mother Nature’s picturesque show of colors with a two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, $50 in Stafford’s Dining Dollars and a narrated CD that takes you on a self guided color tour through the “Tunnel of Trees.”
If you’re looking for lodging when you are up north for the Labor Day Bridge Walk, pay a visit to the Holiday Inn Express at the Bridge in Mackinaw City. The event is always a great time and it’s a unique experience walking on the historic bridge. This is the one time a year that the Mackinac Bridge is open to foot traffic.
Mackinac Bridge
You can also visit St. Ignace to participate in the 59th Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Take advantage of free parking and shuttle services to return you back to St. Ignace after the walk. You’ll even have a numbered certificate in hand to show your holiday accomplishment! The Walk is the culmination of a weekend packed with family-friendly activities in St. Ignace, starting with Arts Dockside on September 3rd and 4th. This extensive show features more than 100 exhibitors in the St. Ignace Marina parking lot, and the quality and variety of items found are second to none. Evenings are a blast too, with fireworks in the skies over Moran Bay on Saturday night and outdoor Movies by the Bay on Sunday evening at the American Legion Park.
