The 13th Annual Civil War Muster takes places this weekend at the Van Raatle Farm in Holland. (pxhere.com)
This weekend, time travel back to 1862 and walk among more than a hundred of Civil War military, cavalry, and civilian re-enactors.
The 13th Annual Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster will take Saturday and Sunday at the Raalte farm, located at 176 E. St., Holland.
Re-enactors will be setting up camps where they will live, sleep, cook over campfires, play games and relax until the Battle of Antietam. The Battle of Antietam, which originally took place in Sharpsburg, Maryland, was a clash of Union General George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac and Confederate General Robert. E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The re-enacted battle will take place at 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday at the Van Raatle Farm.
Other activities include:
• Springfield, Illinois, actor Fritz Klein, will portraying President Abraham Lincoln
• Discussions from Generals Meade (Union) and Lee, Jackson, and Stuart (Confederate) about the Battle of Antietam
* A presentation by Professor Allen Guelzo, a foremost scholar on Civil War from Princeton University
* A lecture by Frank O’Reilly, a historian with National Park Service at Fredericksburg and Spotslvania National Military Park and Pam Welcome who portrays Harriet Tubman
• Music tom the Volunteer Regimental Band of Holland
• Tours of the Ben Van Raalte 1872 homestead
• An authentic 1860s church services will be at 10 a.m. Sunday
The muster runs from 9 a.m .to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m .Sunday.
After being cancelled last year due to Covid, Downtown Holland’s annual Fall Fest is back…and this year is bigger and better than ever before! Downtown Holland and the Holland Farmers Market have partnered with the Holland Visitors Bureau, Tulip Time, and Windmill Island Gardens to expand this year’s Fall Fest offerings. During this two-day event held Friday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 9, the entire community is invited to celebrate everything there is to love about fall, with professional pumpkin carving, children’s activities, family hayrides, community tulip planting, an artisan market at Windmill Island Gardens, fall walking tours, and more.
Fall Fest kicks on Friday, Oct. 8, with Community Tulip Planting from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., hosted by Tulip Time. Visitors and community members can visit the Tulip Time website (www.tuliptime.com) to sign up for a time slot to help plant 75,000 of Holland’s famous tulip bulbs at Window On The Waterfront in Downtown Holland. All volunteers will be treated to complimentary donuts from Bowerman’s Blueberry Market and coffee from Biggby Coffee of Holland. Gardening gloves are recommended, but all other tools and instructions will be provided onsite.
Fall Fest continues on Friday, October 8 with eight of the nation’s best professional pumpkin carvers, including Food Network alumni, appearing in Downtown Holland from 3 – 7 p.m. The carvers will spend the afternoon and evening carving jack-o-lanterns all along 8th Street in Downtown Holland. At 7 p.m., the jack-o-lanterns will be lit from within and will remain on display until 10 p.m. that night for visitors to explore while strolling through Downtown Holland.
The professional carvers also will be assembling 3D pumpkin sculptures. (Supplied)
On Saturday, Oct. 9, the professional pumpkin carvers will appear at the Holland Farmers Market from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., carving 3D sculptures onsite. Children can also paint their own pumpkins to bring home during that time for just a dollar per pumpkin, with all painting supplies provided by Fris Supply Shop in Downtown Holland. Market vendors Visser Farmers also will be offering hayrides from the Holland Farmers Market to Downtown Holland and back again from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hayrides are just $3 per person for the round trip.
The Holland Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. that day. Visitors will find seasonal décor items, including pumpkins, gourds, mums, and corn shocks at the Market, along with apples of every variety, squash, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables. And as always, you can pick up bread and baked goods, farm-raised and fresh caught meat, honey and maple syrup, and a wide variety of specialty foods and beverages while you’re there.
The Community Tulip Planting will continue on Saturday morning at Window On The Waterfront from 8 a.m. – noon. Tulip Time also will be offering guided fall walking tours throughout Downtown Holland that day from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Each tour is approximately an hour and a half long and covers one and a half miles. Tour highlights include Hope College, Dimnent Chapel, Pillar Church, Centennial Park, and unique architecture sites. Tours are $25 per person and tickets must be purchased in advance at www.tuliptime.com.
Tulip Time will also be hosting an all-new Artisan Market at Windmill Island Gardens from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. as part of Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 9. More than 50 local artisans and crafters will be selling their works as part of this juried show. Visitors can shop for hand-crafted jewelry, home décor, artwork, clothing, specialty foods, and more. Entry to the Artisan Market is just $5 per person, which also includes the opportunity to tour the beautiful gardens at Windmill Island and to visit the Dutch attractions, including the DeZwaan Windmill, the historic Dutch carousel, the miniature Dutch village, and much more. Professionally-carved pumpkins will also be on display throughout Windmill Island Gardens during the Artisan Market.
The Fall Fest fun continues in Downtown Holland on Saturday, October 9 too! The professional pumpkin carvers will return to 8th Street from noon – 7 p.m. that day to continue carving 3D pumpkin displays. Watch these talented artists at work all afternoon long, then be sure to return later on in the evening from 7 – 10 p.m. to see their finished masterpieces. To add to the fun for families, street performers will also be performing on 8th Street from noon – 4 p.m., including musicians, face painters, balloon twisters, and more.
West Michigan residents can travel the world without even packing a suitcase at the International Festival of Holland on Saturday, Aug. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Holland Civic Center Place. This free, family-friendly community event includes award-winning performers, hands-on children’s activities, a marketplace of global goods and food trucks offering international cuisine.
The International Festival of Holland is hosted by the City of Holland’s International Relations Commission (IRC) and the International Festival Advisory Board.
“Our vision for the 2021 International Festival of Holland is to celebrate the variety of cultures living, working, and playing in our community and to create awareness of others,” said IRC Chair Alissa Wilson. “We feel the best way to do this is through everyone’s favorite things: food and music.”
The IRC is releasing a 20 Day Countdown to the International Festival, which offers activities individuals and families can do to learn about our global community, help promote the festival, and build momentum for the big day. Follow the 20 Day Countdown on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by searching for International Festival of Holland.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Still Spreading Joy
The City of Holland recently announced that it would keep its holiday lights up through March, extending the cheer through the winter months. The lights are up through downtown Holland so that walkers and runners have the opportunity to enjoy them.
Build It and They Feel Welcomed
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosted a soft opening this week for its new entranceway. Those who visit the Gardens will now enter through the new Welcome Center, which is comprised of two levels, the Main Level and the lower Courtyard Level. The Main Level features the new entryway, Ram’s Garden, ticketing center and expanded coat room, restrooms, and mobility center as well as other features. The library, archives, indoor eating area and the new Mimi’s Garden are located in the Courtyard Level.
Remembering a Leader
On Monday, Jan. 18, the nation will celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Locally, two organizations, Grand Valley State University and the Muskegon Museum of Art, will be hosting virtual events. At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18, GVSU will host a Zoom webinar with White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor who will discuss the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. On Jan. 18, the Muskegon Museum of Art will offer an online art activity, film list for adults and an African-American art highlight as part of its Virtual MLK Day Celebration. As its 2021 MLK Community Service project, the City of Kentwood is collecting food and nonperishable items for its Little Free Pantry. Items can be dropped off at several locations such as Kentwood City Hall, KDL Kentwood Branch, and the Kentwood Activities Center.
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team in action against Wyoming Tri-unity Christian on Jan. 7, 2020. (WKTV)
The Blizzard and Basketball
While we wait for the high school basketball season to start, how about a history lesson? Recently Google honored James Naismith, the man who invented basketball. According to the only surviving recording of Naismith, the idea for the game came about when he was a physical education teacher for what is now Springfield College in Massachusetts. After a blizzard had covered the area eliminating outdoor activities, Naismith said he was looking for a way to help the students burn off some excess energy. One day, after practice, he came up with the idea of nailing two peach baskets to the opposite ends of the gym, dividing the students into two teams of nine, and told them the object was to get the ball into the other team’s basket. This was the start of one of the U.S.’s most popular winter games.
Downtown Holland‘s holiday lights will remain up all winter long to help bring some much-needed light to the community after a difficult year. The lights will remain up until March so they can be enjoyed by Downtown Holland customers, along with numerous walkers and runners who like to take advantage of Downtown Holland’s snowmelt system all winter long.
“We made the decision to leave the lights up because we recognized that the community could use a little light during these long winter days,” said Downtown Development Authority Coordinator Amy Sasamoto. “We invite everyone to Downtown Holland to stroll the brightly lit streets. We hope it’s a gift that helps lift everyone’s spirits!”
The holiday lights in Downtown Holland are installed and maintained by Chips Ground Cover, a local Holland business, and are paid for the City’s Downtown Development Authority. No general taxpayer funds are used for the project. The DDA is funded by a 1.6 mil tax levy paid annually by properties located within the DDA boundaries.
The Holland Farmers Market will host its annual Winter Market starting Saturday, Jan. 2. at the Eighth Street Market Place. Though held inside the Holland Civic Center Place last year, this year’s Winter Market will be held exclusively outdoors to provide a safer shopping experience and to allow for greater social distancing in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Outdoor Winter Market will be held the first and third Saturdays from January through April from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
“The Outdoor Winter Market is an extension of the Holland Farmers Market’s mission to provide fresh, healthy and locally grown food to the community year-round, while at the same time supporting our regional economy and the livelihoods of our farmers and vendors,” said Holland Farmers Market Marketing Coordinator Kara de Alvare. “We invite everyone to bundle up, mask up and join us the first and third Saturdays of the month all winter long!
More than 10 regular Holland Farmers Market vendors will participate in the Outdoor Winter Market between now and April, including Crane Dance Farm, Flagel’s Sugar House, Good Life Naturals, Mud Lake Farm Mycophile’s Garden, Oh So Cheesy, Skinner Homestead Acres, The Great Bread Company Thornburg and Co, and Visser Farms. Two new vendors will also be joining for the Market for the first time, including Just Enjoy Bakery and Pups Barkery. (Please note that vendors are subject to change and not every vendor will be available every date.)
Customers will find a wide variety of fresh produce at the Outdoor Winter Market, including apples, beets, greens, mushrooms, onions, potatoes and more, along with cheese spreads, baked goods, granola, honey, jam, maple syrup, meat…and even dog treats! (Though please keep Fido safe and warm at home, as dogs are not allowed at the Market.) Bridge Cards and Double Up Food Bucks will be accepted at the Outdoor Winter Market, along with Market Bucks gift certificates. Masks are required at all times.
Looking for the perfect day trip destination that’s not too far from home? Look no further than Downtown Holland, located just minutes from the beautiful Lake Michigan Shore.
Grab your mask and start your morning off with a visit to the award-winning Holland Farmers Market, which is open every Wednesday and Saturday at the Eighth Street Market Place at 150 West 8th Street. Sip an iced coffee and munch on a famous blueberry donut from Bowerman’s Blueberry Market while you stroll among over 50 booths with local farmers and vendors selling produce, flowers, baked goods and so much more. The Market is open rain or shine!
After you’ve perused the Market, just cross the street to find yourself in the heart of Downtown Holland! This premier shopping and dining destination is home to hundreds of shops and restaurants, along with cultural attractions, entertainment venues and cozy parks. Enjoy a delicious lunch on an outdoor patio at any number of locally-owned breweries, restaurants or cafes. Then spend an hour (or maybe even two) shopping along the cobblestone sidewalk. With fashion and accessory boutiques, unique gift shops, art galleries, sporting good stores and so much more, it’s not hard to find something you can’t live without. And don’t miss a visit to the historic Holland Peanut Store to pick up a Fabiano’s famous Nutty Paddle Pop for a cool and indulgent treat.
End the afternoon with a visit to Windmill Island Gardens, just a few blocks east of Downtown Holland at 1 Lincoln Avenue. Follow the causeway, by foot or in your vehicle, to Windmill Island to enjoy the beauty of 36 acres of colorful gardens, historic dikes and canals and inviting picnic areas. Learn about Holland’s Dutch history as you take in the majestic De Zwaan Windmill. This original working Dutch windmill (the only one in the country) reaches 125 feet from the ground to the top of the blades! Windmill Island Gardens is open seven days a week. Admission is just $5 per adult, with children 8 and under free.
For the second year, Cherry Republic will take its Traveling Test Kitchen on the road to give customers a sneak peak into the new recipes the cherry retailer is considering for upcoming product development.
Last spring marked the event’s inaugural Michigan tour to Cherry Republic’s six retail locations in Glen Arbor, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Ann Arbor, Frankenmuth, and Holland. The test kitchen was eagerly received by customers, who taste-tested two new nut mixes and two new cherry beverages. This year’s offerings will include some exciting new options that are a departure from Cherry Republic’s traditional product line, says Andrew Moore, Cherry Republic’s Director of Marketing.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response we received at our Traveling Test Kitchen events last year, and we can’t wait to get back out there again this spring,” Moore says. “Our ‘citizens’ really had fun with the event, while also taking it pretty seriously! They gave us some fantastic feedback that we took into account when finalizing our recipes.”
This free event will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on the following dates at these locations:
● March 21-22, TRAVERSE CITY Cherry Republic, 154 E. Front St. ● March 28-29, GLEN ARBOR Cherry Republic, 6026 S. Lake St. ● April 4-5, HOLLAND Cherry Republic, 29 W. Eighth St. ● April 10-11, ANN ARBOR Cherry Republic, 223 S. Main St. ● April 18-19, FRANKENMUTH Cherry Republic, 925 S. Main St. ● April 25-26, CHARLEVOIX Cherry Republic, 221 Bridge St.
Did that mannequin just blink? Downtown Holland’s windows will come alive tonight, Friday, Sept. 13 from 7–8:30pm when Live Mannequin Night returns for another year! Tonight, dozens of community members will pose perfectly still like mannequins in the windows of over 25 different Downtown businesses all depicting this year’s theme — movies. From classics film to popular flicks and Disney movies, there’s something for every movie fan at Live Mannequin Night.
Be sure to visit GDK Park during the Live Mannequin for fun giveaways from sponsor Greenridge Realty and Downtown Holland’s new movie theatre, Sperry’s Moviehouse. To make it easier to view the windows during this popular event, attendees should look for the directional signs in the windows of the participating businesses and the signs on the street to ensure they are walking in the correct direction. Attendees are also encouraged to visit the businesses in the new development spanning River Avenue to Pine Avenue to check out the displays in their windows.
The popular Brioso String Quartet will appear at the Street Performer Series in Downtown Holland tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30pm, performing songs from Bach to Bruno Mars.
Every Thursday night this summer, the sidewalks of Downtown Holland are filled with performing artists and groups from every background, including musicians, balloon twisters, jugglers, magicians, aerial acrobats, dancers, face painters and so much more! The Street Performer Series is free to attend and is sponsored by Gentex Corporation.
The Brioso String Quartet has been providing quality instrumental music in West Michigan for over 20 years. The quartet comprises violinists, Tammy Clark and Jennifer Tuinenga, with Laurie Van Ark on the viola and Ginger Vandenbrink on the cello. While regularly providing traditional string music at hundreds of wedding receptions and other private events, the quartet is well known for bringing a fun mix of both classical music and popular favorites to the Street Performer Series, delighting crowds with hits from the Beatles, popular Broadway tunes and more.
The concerts are free for the public and are located on 8th Street between Columbia and Pine Avenues; 8th Street will be closed to traffic for the event for crowd safety purposes.
Although the Series is free to attend, tipping the performers is highly encouraged. In addition to the exclusive event sponsor, Gentex Corporation, the Street Performer Series is also supported by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs through the Holland Area Arts Council.
Information about individual performers is available here.
July 4th celebrations will be taking place throughout West Michigan. (Supplied)
By West Michigan Tourist Association
From parades to parties, festivals to fireworks, there are so many ways to celebrate the Fourth of July around West Michigan.
Celebrations in the Upper Peninsula and North Region Watch fireworks soar over the shores of Lake Superior in Marquette on July 4. Before the evening’s finale, visitors are encouraged to take in the International Food Fest, Fourth of July Parade, and Boat Parade, all taking place in Lower Mattson Park or downtown, making for a great way to enjoy Independence Day. For a full schedule please visit the Travel Marquette website.
Head to Drummond Island for the annual town parade and amazing fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. Pins Restaurant at Drummond Island Resort & Convention Center will be serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner making it a fun place to gather with family and friends before and after the festivities.
Celebrate the Fourth of July all week long with events and activities galore at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. There’s something for everyone to enjoy with golf scrambles, family carnival, fireworks, 4Ks, live music, chairlift rides, and more.
So many exciting things are planned for the “Best Fourth in the North” in Lake City, July 3-7, including a parade, fireworks, a boat parade, live entertainment, vendors, crafters, dinners, and much more. Visit the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau for a schedule of events.
The Cadillac Freedom Festival is held annually the first weekend in July to celebrate our nation’s freedom and independence. This year’s event takes place July 5-7 and includes a carnival, 5K run, free kids activities, fishing tournament, watermelon eating contest, live music, and more, culminating in fireworks over Lake Cadillac at 10:00 pm Sunday evening.
Head to Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire to get a jump start on celebrating Independence Day! Shanty Creek Resort kicks off the Independence Day holiday on Wednesday, July 3 with the Freedom Festival. Enjoy kids’ games and activities, bounce houses, live music, food and drinks, lawn games, disc golf, swimming, face painting, and more. The evening welcomes a bonfire with s’more kits and a fireworks show at dusk.
Come to the Village at Bay Harbor in Petoskey on July 3rd and enjoy an always amazing show by the Petoskey Steel Drum Band with an unparalleled fireworks display over Bay Harbor Lake starting at dusk. Get your seat on the lawn early, as it’s always a spectacular show in Bay Harbor for fireworks night. Enjoy the most unique parade on the Fourth of July, including gem cars, specialty and vintage vehicles, the Michigan Stiltwalker, decorated bikes, costumes, candy for the kids, and so much more starting at 11 a.m. on Main Street.
Celebrate America at Cheboygan’sannual Independence Day Parade 10 a.m. on July 4 along Main Street in downtown Cheboygan.
Fourth of July fireworks begin at dusk on Thursday, July 4, in downtown Grayling.
The July 4th Independence Day Celebration in Central Lake features a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts bazaar, parade at noon, strawberry social, library book fair, children’s events, Lions Club chicken BBQ dinner, and fireworks show at dusk. Visit the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce for full schedule of events.
There are a number of events in honor of the Fourth of July throughout Mecosta County:
The Village of Mecosta will be hosting a day-long celebration of Fourth of July activities including a parade at 11 a.m., a free ice cream social, scavenger and geocache hunt, and a picnic dinner from 5:00 pm to 7 p.m. with a $5 donation. The celebrations will conclude with a fireworks display around 10:15 p.m.
The Big Rapids Jaycees host the 4th of July Parade and Downtown Fireworks. The parade will begin Thursday at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks at the Mecosta County Fairgrounds at dusk. Parking is available at the Fairgrounds and Roben-Hood Airport starting at 6:30 p.m. for $5. A stage will be set-up in the Side Lot by the Fair Office building for music, entertainment, games, and more! The rain date for the fireworks is Friday, July 5.
The Tri-Lakes Association invite you to join their annual Mecosta County Boat Parade! Participants will meet at the North end of Lake Mecosta around 3:30 p.m. for registration and pictures before proceeding across the lake at 4 p.m. for general viewing.
The Chippewa Lake-Mecosta Lions Club are hosting “Find the Flags on the Lake” Boat Poker Run on Saturday, July 6. Sign up for the event begins at 9 a.m. and participants need to be back at Millet Park by 4 p.m. to participate. Prizes will be given out but you must be 18 years of age to participate and be able to show ID to claim your prize. The Lions will also be hosting a Bake Sale throughout the day in Millet Park until supplies are gone or until the event concludes with fireworks in the evening at 10 p.m.
You can’t help but feel patriotic in Harbor Springs! The parade is top notch and the day includes the Paul Revere Fun Run, an art show, the Red, White and Brew beer tent with entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display. Across the bay in Petoskey, catch the annual parade through downtown, evening music at Bayfront Park, and a sparkling display of pyrotechnics. Choose the right location to sit, and you can see Petoskey and Harbor Springs’ fireworks at the same time.
Fireworks, Boat Cruises, and More in the Central Region The Holland Independence Day Celebration Freedom & Fireworks starts at 12:30 pm July 4 in Kollen Park, with kids games, martial arts demonstrations, live music throughout the day, and fireworks at dusk over Lake Macatawa to the sounds of live, patriotic music (estimated start time 10:25 pm). There will also be food booths serving late lunch and dinner.
Muskegon Rockstock is back July 4-6 at Heritage Landing with great rock music, fireworks, raffles, face painting, food, beverages, and cold Budweiser. Tickets are available now. Active duty military and veterans get in free. Gates open at 5 p.m. each night, with an amazing fireworks finale at dusk on the 4th of July. A carnival midway has been added for this year, and takes place from July 3–7.
Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, the Lakeshore Art Festival will feature a unique blend of fine art, crafts, music, food, and fun in beautiful downtown Muskegon! Experience over 300 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, children’s activities, specialty food items, street performers, multiple interactive art stations, chalk the walk, The Door Project, kayak sculptures, and more.
Join the Grand Rapids Public Museum for the Independence Day fundraiser, Front Row for the Fireworks, held Saturday, July 6th to coincide with the City of Grand Rapids’ fireworks show. The night includes patriotic music playing on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, Chaffee Planetarium shows, and rides on the 1928 Spillman Carousel, as well as a unique Museum-wide scavenger hunt for the family. At dusk, visitors can head outside to the enclosed lawn seating areas or stay inside the Museum for air-conditioned comfort to have an amazing view of the fireworks as they burst over the Grand River. Tickets available here.
Celebrate all week at the Ludington Jaycees Freedom Festival, July 3-7, at Stearns Park Beach in downtown Ludington. Independence Day celebrations begin July 3 with a Children & Pet Parade, and ramp up on July 4th with the annual holiday Grand Parade and Freedom Festival Fireworks. The fun continues for the weekend with the West Shore Fine Art Fair in Rotary Park and the free concerts of Ludrock at Waterfront Park, July 6-7.
Spend some time out on Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, enjoy a great sunset, and top it off with a great fireworks show with one of the best seats on the water aboard Aquastar Cruises. The Aquastar leaves the dock at 8:30 pm on the 4th and returns after the fireworks show. Appetizers will be served and beverages will be available for purchase.
Watch the fireworks from the water on the S.S. Badger Fourth of July Fireworks Shoreline Cruise. This special shoreline cruise aboard the S.S. Badger on Thursday, July 4th will be leaving the Ludington dock at 9:00 pm and returning after the fireworks. The ship will cruise along the Ludington shoreline until sunset and then get into position outside the breakwall to give guests a fabulous view of the waterfront fireworks display.
Enjoy the Thunder Over the Dunes fireworks in Silver Lake on the 4th of July to see this unique display from the Silver Lake Sand Dunesand around the lake. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.
Beginning at 10 a.m., the White Lake Area 4th of July Parade will travel from Whitehall City Hall to Downtown Montague. More than 100 entries are involved in this family fun and annual parade. Fireworks begin at dusk and are viewable from both Montague and Whitehall downtown areas.
Thursday, July 4, at dusk, enjoy “Fireworks on Deck” aboard the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum! It’s the “best seat in the house” for the awesome display over Muskegon Lake. The World War II landing ship is located at the Mart Dock in downtown Muskegon, just yards from the fireworks site.
JW Marriott Grand Rapids invites high rollers to prolong Independence Day celebrations with its star(s and stripes)-studded package, “Red, White and Exclusive,” July 6 to coincide with the Grand Rapids fireworks. For a cool $6,500, groups of eight or fewer will experience:
Overnight accommodations in Founder’s Suite
Private dining experience with personal chef
Private fireworks viewing party on helipad
Breakfast at six.one.six
Celebrate the 4th of July with live music, drink specials, delicious food, a great view of the river, and fireworks at six.one.six at the JW Marriott! First Tier tickets for $75 (per adult, child or military) include meal and an assigned table. Second tier tickets for $25 includes entrance only in the standing room only area.
July 6 WP Patio Fireworks Viewing Party at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck tickets are on sale now. $50+tax+22% gives you a guaranteed spot on the patio all night. $35 Veteran price. Party is from 6:00 pm-midnight. Food from 6-10 p.m.
River Country Chamber of Commerce invites you to Freedom Fest July 6 on the CauseWay in Croton Township. Freedom Fest features live music, food and a beer tent (including non-alcoholic beverages), and street vendors.
South Region Festivals, Fireworks, and Family Fun Enjoy carnival games, live music, family fun, and fireworks at Red White & Boom, July 6th, at the Inn at Harbor Shoresin St. Joseph.
What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by a parade and then barbecue chicken to follow it up! Grab your lawn chairs and come to the historic and beautiful Brooks Fountain circle in Marshall for the Chicken Barbecue, Bike & Pet Parade and Rotary Band Concert. Parade begins at 10 am July 4, followed by lunch in the park, and performance from the Marshall Rotary Band.
Celebrate Independence Day in South Haven at the Light Up the Lake Fireworks & Fourth of July Parade! On the 3rd of July, gather around North and South Beaches for the ultimate fireworks show at dusk, then gather on Phoenix Street for the annual parade on the 4th of July. Not only is South Haven celebrating its 150th anniversary with a year-long series of events, the Fourth of July Parade will be celebrating its 170th anniversary. To honor these significant milestones, the Fourth of July committee has established the theme “South Haven: Honoring our Past, Focused on the Present, Imagining our Future.”
Enjoy South Haven’s Light Up the Lake fireworks display on July 3rd from the deck of Michigan Maritime Museum’s tall ship Friends Good Will! Light Up the Lake…while enjoying a sail on Lake Michigan for an evening you won’t soon forget! Ship sets sail at 9 p.m. Tickets are limited, so make your reservations today.
Watch the July 4th Vintage Baseball Tournament at Eden Springs Park in Benton Harbor in Southwest Michigan. Bring your chair and cheer on the teams, House of David Echoes, The Livery Brewers and the South Haven Bark Peelers, in tournament action. Only $3 admission for an afternoon of fun!
Fourth of July is a blast in Saugatuck/Douglas. The waterfront festival features live music, food, children’s activities, and more, not to mention fireworks over the Kalamazoo River!
Experience hometown festivals at their best in Coldwater Country. Kick off Independence Day in Quincy with the annual 4th of July Parade and Rotary BBQ at Quincy Park. Head back to Coldwater for fireworks over Heritage Park that evening. Make a long weekend of your getaway and stay for the Fireworks Spectacular over Coldwater Lake on July 6. There’s always something happening in south central Michigan.
The 4th of July is a great time to visit the Air Zoo in Portage! The recently opened D-Day Exhibit gives visitors an immersive view into the people, planes, and paratroopers that made the Allied invasion of Normandy a success. The Air Zoo is full of incredible American flying machines, including iconic D-Day planes like the C-47 Skytrain, CG-4A Glider, P-38 Lightning, and P-47 Thunderbolt. With rides, flight simulators, interactive exhibits, and over 100 rare and exciting aircraft, spacecraft, and artifacts, the Air Zoo is always fun for the whole family.
Don’t miss Barry County’s 37th Annual Old Fashioned 4th of July & Salute to Veterans in Historic Charlton Park, Hastings, Thursday July 4th noon-4 p.m. The event kicks off with a flag raising ceremony and salute to veterans followed by the Veterans Association Pork Bar-B-Que Buffet. The afternoon also includes games, races, a pie auction, and more.
Looking for more? Find out what other events are happening around West Michigan by checking out our events calendar!
Tulip TimeFestival (www.tuliptime.com) announces online registration is now open for the Tulip Time Run, which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at Kollen Park.
Experience the beauty of Holland as you run through the tulip-lined streets! The Tulip Time Run, now in its 9thyear, is presented by MVP Athletic Club, and offers an event for everyone — a 5K, 10K and Kids’ Fun Run. If you are running both the 5K and 10K, you are automatically entered in the 15K results category eligible for medals and cash prizes. And, back again, is the Tulip Time Virtual Run. If you cannot make it to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Time Festival, run a 5K or 10K in the comfort of your own hometown and receive a race shirt, bib and 2019 Run pin in the mail.
All run participants will receive a race bib. Included with the race bib will be a complimentary gear check tag and a free beverage ticket, redeemable at the After-Party at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant. Registering before April 15 ensures runners a participant shirt and a personalized race bib featuring their name. Race results are available within seconds of crossing the finish line via email, onsite kiosks or by downloading the IgniteYourEvent app.
Packet Pickup and late registration will be available at the Race & Fitness Expo on Friday, May 3, from 4p – 7p at MVP Athletic Club, and on Saturday, May 4 at 7a at Kollen Park. The Race & Fitness Expo offers information, displays and giveaways from health and fitness companies.
The 5K will start at 8a and the 10K will start at 8:45a. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division (male and female). The Kids’ Fun Run will start at 9:15a in Kollen Park.
Registration and pricing information, along with all race details, is available online at www.tuliptime.com/run. Questions regarding registration and race details can be directed to Kara Rooks, Race Director, at (616) 396-4221 ext. 114 or kara@tuliptime.com.
Join the dance as we “paint the town orange”at Tulip Time’s 90thAnniversary celebration May 4-12, 2019. Detailed program and event information for Tulip Time 2019 is available on www.tuliptime.com. Tickets for all shows can be purchased online at www.tuliptime.com, in person at the Tulip Time Festival Box Office located at 42 West 8thStreet, Holland, Michigan, or by phone at 800-822-2770.
Tulip Time Festival and the Holland Area Arts Council have announced the 2019 Art in Bloom (AIB) Festival Artwork Competition. Each year, the Holland Area Arts Council invites a juror to select the Top 20 pieces for AIB. Kristin Jass Armstrong, Executive Director of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, will be the 2019 juror.
Until 2011, posters were commissioned work from selected artists. Since AIB transitioned into a Festival Artwork Competition, eight local artists have been awarded this honor:
2011 Beth Charles – “Drama Queens”
2012 Brittany Strabbing – “Beautiful Dream”
2013 Maggie Schultz – “Clothed in Splendor”
2014 Karin Nelson – “Resilience”
2015 Carolyn Stich – “Joy of Spring”
2016 Alla Dickson – “Spectacle”
2017 Michele Gort – “Playful Time”
2018 Cindy Awrey – “Together”
Artists in Ottawa, Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo counties are invited to submit artwork. Submissions for the 2019 Festival Artwork Competition will be accepted from Sept. 29 through Oct. 4. The artwork theme should represent Tulip Time’s mission to celebrate Holland’s tulips, Dutch heritage and community with special consideration to our 90th festival theme: ‘join the dance as we paint the town orange!’ The winner of the 2019 competition will be announced at First Bloom, a special unveiling reception held in February.
To view the submission forms and full entry requirements, please pick up a prospectus from the Tulip Time Festival Office or the Holland Area Arts Council. The prospectus can also be found online at www.tuliptime.com/artinbloom and www.hollandarts.org.
For additional details, artists are encouraged to contact Mary Sundstrom at (616) 396-3278 or mary@hollandarts.org.
The Tulip Time Festival Guide is now available offering complete details for the 2018 program. Festival Guides can be viewed online or you can request a copy at www.tuliptime.com/join.
Join the dance as we paint the town orange in celebration of Dutch Culture, Community and Tulips at the 90th Tulip Time Festival May 4–23, 2019.
It’s one of those years when going to Tulip Time may actually be one of the best times to see the tulips.
The annual event runs through Sunday, May 13, — Mother’s Day — with flowers in abundance. A trip during this past weekend found the flowers at the Window on the Waterfront to be in full bloom, creating a colorful cascade for photographers of all skill levels. Tulips at Windmill Island were also in stages of blooming which assures that no matter when someone goes, they are bound to see the tulips.
The Music Parade is Saturday, May 12. The parade is at 2 p.m.
There are a lot of free activities such as the Holland Friends of the Arts Show, the Tulip Time Quilt Show, and the 2018 Art in Bloom all at the Holland Area Arts Council, 150 E. 8th St. The Historic Plllar Church Tours starts at 57 E. 10th St. The Holland Garden Club Flower Show is at the Herrick District Library, 300 S. River Ave. and the Graafschap Heritage Center also has a show at 5973 Church St., Graafschap.
A carnival is taking place at the Holland Civic Center lot, 150 W. 8th St., and the Dutch Market and entertainment is at the Commons at Evergreen, 480 State St.
For a complete list of shows and events taking place along with parking tips, visit tuliptime.com.
Tickets are now on sale for the award-winning guitarist, Duffy King, who will be performing at Tulip Time Festival this year.
Festival entertainment is returning to downtown Holland for three great nights at the Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 E 8th St, Holland, Mich. On Thursday, May 11th, Duffy King will take the stage. Energetic, kinetic grooves, driving rhythms, blistering leads, and finesse are words that have been used to describe Duffy’s style of guitar playing.
Hailing from Detroit and its vast musical heritage, Duffy has toured throughout the world and has done countless studio sessions, including nationally televised ad campaigns and major label releases that have been nominated for awards including Grammy Awards, Billboard Magazine awards, and World Music Awards. The combination of these accomplishments, and performing with an array of world class musicians, has earned him a reputation as a top caliber guitarist. Well-versed in all styles of playing, Duffy is best known for his potent Jazz/Rock and R&B/Funk chops.
Duffy’s talent doesn’t stop with playing guitar. His song writing skills have won awards in Billboard Magazine’s Songwriter’s Contest, and received acclaim for his solo release, Livin’ for the Big Time, which charted in the top 10 on many radio stations throughout the mid-west region.
Also a strong vocalist, Duffy has had 20 Detroit Music Award nominations, (winning 6), including nods for Outstanding R&B Instrumentalist, R&B Vocalist, R&B Artist, R&B Recording, Jazz Recording. His Solo Guitar Christmas was nominated for a Detroit Music Awards Outstanding Jazz recording. His newest release, Acoustically Speaking, has met with rave reviews and is currently charting in the top 10 on a number of jazz stations.
The Tulip Time performance will feature several cuts from this release.
Other Knick Series performances include funny man Andy Beningo for a night of clean comedy on Friday, May 12th, and the return of Chicago’s legendary improv group, The Second City. Tickets for these shows, and all other festival events, can be purchased online at www.tuliptime.com, via phone at 616.396.4221 or visit the Tulip Time box office at 74 W. 8th Street in Holland.
The Tulip Time Festival Guide is now available offering complete details for the 2017 program. Festival Guides can be viewed online or you can request a copy at www.tuliptime.com/join. Connect with Tulip Time and download the free app.
Want to run through the streets of Holland at Tulip Time? There is a run for you. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
The Tulip Time Festival has announced the opening of online registration and details for the Tulip Time Run on Saturday, May 6, at Kollen Park in Holland. The run — with a 5K, 10K and kids fun run — gives the opportunity to run or walk through Holland’s tulip-lined streets.
All run participants will be issued a race bib, a complimentary gear check tag and a free beverage ticket, redeemable at the after-party at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant. Registering before April 2 ensures runners a participant shirt and a personalized race bib featuring their name.
The 5K will start at 8 a.m. and the 10K will start at 9 a.m. Both races will start at the corner of 12th Street and Kollen Park Drive and finish on 12th Street in the West-bound lane. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division (male and female). The kids’ run will start at 9:15am at the playground in Kollen Park.
Registration for the 5K and/or 10K is $30, $35 after Feb. 28 and $40 on race day; registration for the kids’ run is $10 through May 3 and $15 on race day. A discount of $2 off each registration is available for families of three to five people. Registration is available online at tulip tuliptime.com/run
Effective today, Nov. 4, Metro Health’s Heart and Vascular Holland office will have a new home.
The new office location, just around the corner from the previous site, signals the success of the practice which opened in February 2014.
The new office is located at 904 S. Washington, Suite 120 in Holland and offer the practice room for future growth of services to meet patient needs.
Dr. Rony Gorges is the lead physician at the Heart and Vascular Holland practice.
Metro Heart & Vascular Holland offers cardiovascular appointments, as well as diagnostic testing for cardiovascular disease, including peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. PAD is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries block the blood flow to arms and legs, causing numbness, leg pain, tissue damage and leading to amputation.
The hospital has developed a nationally recognized specialty in the treatment of PAD and amputation prevention, last year treating scores of patients from around Michigan, across the country and throughout the world. Led by Dr. Jihad Mustapha, Metro Heart & Vascular physicians utilize leading-edge technology to clear blockages and restore circulation in even the most challenging of cases.
Mike Faas
“We are listening to our patients on the Lakeshore,” said Mike Faas, president and CEO of Metro Health. “They want to receive health services near their home. Deciding where to locate services is a patient-driven decision designed to make it easy and convenient to experience care.
“Having Heart and Vascular practices outside the hospital has also been a satisfier for patients. As word spreads about the successes our physicians have had in treating cardiovascular conditions, we have seen increasing demand for our services. Whenever possible, we want patients to have choice in where they are seen.”
Metro Health & Vascular provides a coordinated approach to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, working with patients, coordinating care with their family physician and other specialists and educating family members.
Besides Holland, other satellite offices are located in Allegan, downtown Grand Rapids, Greenville and Sheridan.
Windmill Island Gardens will have Peak Week July 24 – 30.
During the week of July 24 – 30, Windmill Island Gardens will celebrate Peak Week, the period of summer when the gardens are at the height of their beauty. The week will be filled with flowers and fun for all ages. As an added incentive to enjoy the gardens during Peak Week, an accompanying child can enter for free with every purchase of an adult ticket.
The Island’s horticulture staff is excited to share the gardens with the community as they represent the end product of months of designing, planting, and maintenance. This year’s garden theme is “Year of the Butterfly.” The theme is evident in more than 20 beds which mimic butterfly coloring as well as the new “Vlinder Veld” butterfly-attracting garden.
One highlight of the week is the culmination of a photo contest in which guests are encouraged to capture the beauty of the gardens and attractions during the month of July. Pictures should be emailed to windmill@cityofholland.com by Thursday, July 21 to be eligible to win. From July 22-27, a juried winner, a Facebook-vote winner and a visitor-vote winner will be chosen from the Top 5 photos.
Tuesday, July 26, is Kid’s Day on the Island. Kids and parents will enjoy scavenger hunts, activity pages, carousel rides, crafts, games, and much more. Of course visitors of all ages are invited to tour the De Zwaan windmill and explore the rest of the Island. As a special double-up treat, TWO accompanying children can enter free with each purchase of an adult ticket on Kid’s Day.
On Wednesday, July 27, there will be a night of relaxing fun for the whole family. In a special after-hours event from 6 – 8 pm, guests are invited to tour the gardens with a member of the horticulture staff. The evening will also feature the announcement of winners in the photo competition at 7 pm. This after-hours event is free of charge though not all attractions will be available during this time.
Holland, Michigan’s Tulip Time 2016 is May 7-14
By Pure Michigan
The beautiful beach town of Holland has been celebrating its Dutch heritage and culture since 1929 and the festivities continue this year. May 7-14, 2016 the Tulip Time Festival will feature parades, traditional Dutch Dance performances, concerts, theatre, Dutch attractions, Dutch food and more. More than 500,000 people from 40 countries travel to the Holland Tulip Time Festival each year.
During your visit at the Tulip Time Festival, you’ll see more than four million tulips decorating city parks, public attractions and city streets. Drive the six miles of Tulip Lanes through Holland’s historic neighborhoods. For more of nature’s beauty, explore Windmill Island Gardens, home to manicured gardens with more than 115,000 tulips, a 250 year-old working Dutch windmill and an antique Dutch carousel. For a more adventurous day, take your family to the Midway Carnival, or have a blast at the Nelis’ Dutch Village Family Theme Park, where the history of the Dutch culture comes to life. Continue the Dutch experience at Dutch Marktplaats, a marketplace where you can delight in the tastes, sights, sounds and crafts of 19th century Holland.
The Tulip Time Festival features three spectacular parades. See the traditional Volksparade, led by thousands of locals in traditional Dutch costumes. Participants gather at the beginning of the parade for the official Street Scrubbing, which includes an appearance by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. The Johnson Controls Kinderparade, or “children’s parade,” is the largest parade of children in the state. The parade series finishes with GMB Muziekparade “music parade,” one of the most spectacular parades in the state, featuring 4,000 participants including floats, dancers, and bands along Michigan’s longest parade route.
For a relaxed way to experience the tulips, book a Tulip City Tour. The tours are offered daily; purchase your same-day tour tickets at the booth at Centennial Park The hop-on, hop-off tour allows easy access through beautiful Tulip Lanes, Holland’s Historic District, city parks and downtown, and includes admission to Windmill Island Gardens and the Holland Museum, Cappon House and Settler’s House.
While visiting Holland, make sure to take in beautiful Lake Michigan. Visit Holland State Park to view Big Red Lighthouse or Tunnel Park beach to watch a sunset. For a little more adventure, climb the 230 steps to the top of Mt. Pisgah, a 157 foot sand dune. Here, enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.
Downtown Holland is a great destinations for unique, first-class shopping and dining. For Holland travel information and suggestions, click here. To purchase tickets and to peruse the entertainment opportunities, go here.
Remember the playthings you had as a kid? That favorite toy you took with you everywhere, even to bed–like a teddy bear missing an eye and loved to tatters? I never had a teddy bear, but I did have a cute little red corduroy horse. I don’t recall his name.
Such simple things we appreciate much too late.
Until Feb. 27, you can find a glimmer of childhood past and wax nostalgic at Holland Museum’s “Toy Stories” exhibit, a fun-filled display with hundreds of toys dating back to the late 1800s. It’s the collection of Merrill Taylor and her late husband, Tom, who spent much of their adult lives collecting antique toys, games, decorations and advertisements.
You know what? The Taylors sound an awful lot like my Aunt Marina and Uncle Bob, who are now in their very late 80s. Maybe you have a family member like this, too. Aunt Marina and Uncle Bob collected everything—and I mean everything. Kewpie Dolls. Beanie Babies. Mickey Mouse figures and dolls. Vintage teddy bears. Glassware, magazines, lamps. My uncle had a penchant for Quaker Oat cereal boxes–his collection was stacked to the ceiling. He also had a collection of gem stones, cat whiskers… the list goes on. Wait. It was my aunt who collected the the cat whiskers.
One really cool feature of the Taylors’ toy collection is this: They will let you play with them. The exhibit also has an interactive “Toy Lab” that helps people learn about the mechanics and science of invention by building their own toys.
The collection has been featured in Country Living and other notable magazines. There is no apparent theme, just a chaotic and delightful mix of toys. The Taylors have never sold any of the toys from their collection.
“Toy Stories” will be on display through Feb. 27 at the Holland Museum, 13 W. Tenth St. in, of all places, Holland, Michigan. For more info, go here.
