Tag Archives: West Michigan Whitecaps

Gonzo’s Top 5: Music, baseball, and a vintage market

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Gonzo's Top 5, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

I’m so excited for May, which officially begins on Sunday.

Why?

May flowers, of course, and the return of Tulip Time in Holland (May 7-15). Also, next Friday (May 6) is another WKTV Voices Storytelling Night at The Stray in Grand Rapids. You can still sign up today if you want to be on stage to tell your story. More info at https://wktvvoices.org/voices-storytelling-at-the-stray/.

Not to mention, May is great for fans of “Star Wars” (May the 4th Be With You), Mexican food lovers (Cinco de Mayo) and moms everywhere (Mother’s Day is May 8). It’s a busy month.

Now, let’s get back to this weekend, and my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

Mega 80’s returns to Grand Rapids this Saturday. (Facebook)

5. Concerts & Shows

Some shows for music fans:

Sevendust performs tonight (April 29) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids. https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZ917AGpf/glc-live-at-20-monroe-events

 La Adictiva and Pancho Barraza perform at 9 p.m. Saturday (April 30) at the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker; www.deltaplex.com.

Chris Franjola Live is Saturday (April 30) at The Listening Room in Grand Rapids; https://www.facebook.com/events/2023011271215239/

And one of my faves, Mega 80’s, returns for a show Saturday (April 30) at The Intersection in Grand Rapids; www.sectionlive.com

The West Michigan Whitecaps will in the newly named LMCU Ballpark this season. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

4. West Michigan Whitecaps

The High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers is off to a slow start with a record of 7-11 going into tonight’s three-game weekend homestand. But, you know what, it’s always a fun time at LMCU Ballpark! Tonight (April 29) is $1 reserved seats night. On Saturday popcorn is $1. And on Sunday it’s Family Sunday where kids play catch on the field and run the bases after the game. You can’t beat that. We just hope it doesn’t rain. Tonight’s game is at 6:35 p.m. Weekend games are at 2 p.m. More details at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

3. Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival

The 18th Annual TAC Jazz Festival continues today and Saturday in downtown Hastings with free performances by student groups, combos and adult groups all around town. In the evenings, head to larger venues for featured headlining performances. Check out the schedule at https://thornapplearts.org/jazzfest/.

The cast of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Kinky Boots.” (Grand Rapids Civic Theatre)

2. “Kinky Boots” at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Based on the 2005 British film “Kinky Boots,” the musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who inherits a shoe factory and forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer and drag queen, Lola, to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business. In the process, Charlie and Lola discover that they are not so different after all. The show features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein. Performances are tonight (April 29) through May 22 at Grand Rapids Civic Theater in Grand Rapids. More details at www.grct.org.

Vintage at the Zoo at the Downtown Market this weekend. (Vintage at the Zoo)

1.Vintage and Handmade Marketplace

Vintage in the Zoo Market is headed to Grand Rapids for its sixth season with a vintage and handmade marketplace at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. The event features more than 50 vendors with true vintage clothing, accessories, home goods and furniture from creative artists, designers and makers from all over the region. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (May 1). More details on the event Facebook page.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.


John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Returning after lost 2020, Whitecaps open home season, gain first home win since ’19

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The West Michigan Whitecaps in action. (WM Whitecaps)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The West Michigan Whitecaps — returning from a lost season in 2020 due to the pandemic — rallied for a 9-8 walk-off victory over the Great Lakes Loons Wednesday, May 12, at LMCU Ballpark, the team’s first home victory since Aug. 25, 2019.

The Whitecaps improved to 3-4 on the season while the Loons fall to 2-6.

This six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons continues Thursday at 6:35 p.m., as the Whitecaps send pitcher Chance Kirby to the mound against lefty Alec Gamboa for Great Lakes.

Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available for select Whitecaps 2021 home contests by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

May 12 game breakdown

According to supplied material, in the May 12 game, Whitecap Daniel Cabrera’s game-tying RBI-double in the ninth set up a wild pitch that scored the Tigers 2020 second round pick from third base to win the contest.

The Whitecaps were hot at the plate early, plating seven runs through the first three innings as the Loons committed two errors while walking six as Parker Meadows, Andre Lipcius, and Dillon Dingler combined for four RBIs to take a 7-0 lead.

Whitecaps starting pitcher Garrett Hill, and bullpen arms Zach Hess and Brendan White, struck out 10 Great Lakes hitters through the first six innings while allowing two hits – both of them solo home runs. But the Loons made their comeback in the eighth as Miguel Vargas and Deacon Liput both drove in runs and narrowed the West Michigan lead to 7-4.

In the top of the ninth, the Loons loaded the bases with none out before single and a hit-by-pitch allowed a pair of Great Lakes runs and ended Whitecaps closer Ruben Garcia’s night while cutting the lead to just one, 7-6.

Yaya Chentouf came on in relief for the Whitecaps with the bases loaded and still none out, striking out two Great Lakes batters before two West Michigan fielding errors allowed Great Lakes to take the lead, 8-7.

But the Whitecaps responded in the bottom half, as Cabrera laced a game-tying RBI-double before scoring on a wild pitch to score the winning run.

Chentouf (2-0) gained his second win of the season with one inning while allowing no earned runs on a pair of strikeouts in the victory.

Snapshots: WKTV’s ‘back to normal’ entertainment stories you might have missed

3-bottom, Dream Wheels, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , , ,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again.”

James Earl Jones … Can you guess the movie? (See bottom of this story)

WKTV DreamWheels red carpet show (circa. 2013-15/WKTV)

Dust off those classic cars this weekend

The 28th Street Metro Cruise will be back in full swing this August. And, to start the celebration of cars, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the return of the “dust off” event on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #763, at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW, in Wyoming. Go here for the story.


A probably sold-out crowd at Meijer Gardens Summer Concert series evening. (Supplied Meijer Gardens/Tony Norkus)

Meijer Gardens outdoor concerts to return

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts — including three special Grand Rapids Symphony dates — as well as its Tuesday Evening Music Club and the new Jim & Marie Preston Sunday Strings are tentatively planned to return this summer and into the fall. Go here for the story.


The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at the newly named LMCU Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

Opening day for the West Michigan Whitecaps

With opening day on May 4 and first home game May 11, the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a season that is bound to be unlike any they have had in the past due to the pandemic. But the fan experience will still be fun for Whitecaps fans at the now-named LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

‘Field of Dreams’  forever

Field of Dreams is a 1989 American film written and directed by Phil Alden Anderson, adapting W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. The cast includes Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster in his final film role. In 2017, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. Source.

Whitecaps set to open season in May with new safety precautions but same ol’ ballgame fun

Community Health, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at the newly named LMCU Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

By Ellington Smith, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

With opening day a little less than a month away — with their first game May 4 and first home game May 11 — the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a season that is bound to be unlike any they have had in the past.

Due to the pandemic, the fan experience will still be fun, but will be slightly different, according to Steve VanWagoner, director of marketing, for the Whitecaps and the now-named LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark.

The current capacity for the stadium is at 2,000, which is 20 percent of their normal capacity. Initially, the organization sold multi-game ticket plans to make it easier to comply with health and safety guidelines such as seating groups in pods at the stadium. But a “very limited” number of single game tickets for May and June games are on sale starting Wednesday, April 21.)

“The Whitecaps will be fun and entertaining and be a great experience this summer,” VanWagoner recently said to WKTV. “In the meantime go to our website (milb.com/west-michigan), find the safety and information page, and know that when you come to the ballpark we are serious about being family friendly and safe.”

After the Whitecaps open the season May 4 at the Fort Wayne Tin Cups, then open the home season on May 11 with a six-game homestead starting with the Great Lakes Loons.

VanWagoner said ticketed fans should be expecting an email outlining the team’s plan for how to administer all the necessary safety protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks, continuing checking bags as in the past, and regulations regarding concession and where you are allowed to eat. Fans will be “recommended” to get tested prior to coming to a game, but it is not a requirement.

However safety precautions are not the only thing that is new for the Whitecaps this upcoming season as they were officially named a High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

 

This decision came during December 2020 and VanWagoner spoke to how this will change the overall fan experience.

“For the fans, (it will be) a better experience, because the players that they are watching are higher caliber with more experience and higher skill level then West Michigan fans are used to seeing, so we expect to see plays that fans haven’t seen before from the Whitecaps, and just a better experience overall,” he said.

Another change for the team came in February when the stadium name was changed from Fifth Third Ballpark to LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark in a new 10-year deal. Van Wagoner went into further detail about what this change actually means for the Whitecaps organization and the fans.

“Many huge signs and things inside the ballpark will look different, but to be clear it is a name change and not an ownership change” VanWagoner said. “We are family owned and privately held, as we always have been.”

For more information visit milb.com/west-michigan.

Whitecaps open season, plan Hispanic/Latino fan engagement games

3-bottom, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Detroit Tigers have already throw out the first pitch of the 2019 season, with the local West Michigan Whitecaps ready to do so Thursday, with their first pitch at home on Saturday, April 6. But the Whitecaps have a little something special planned for their Saturday, May 11, home game — a little lanzamiento descontrolado (wild pitch, in the Spanish).

The West Michigan Whitecaps will become “Las Calaveras de West Michigan” —The Skulls of West Michigan — for three games during the 2019 season, all on Saturdays: May 11, July 13, and Aug. 17.

These games will be centered on “celebrating the Hispanic/Latino culture and the influence it has had on America’s pastime,” according to supplied material.

“Our desire is to reflect the community, whether it’s our game-day employees, our front office or our fans,” Whitecaps President Steve McCarthy said in supplied material. “The core values of this community reflect the core values of Minor League Baseball – family, community, entertainment and tradition. This is an opportunity for us to grow.”

At the games, fans will enjoy sugar skull decorating, face painting, authentic food and music, games and more when Las Calaveras de West Michigan take the field in alternative uniforms focused on the Calaveras.

Calaveras, or skulls, are an important part of Hispanic culture. Skulls made out of sugar are decorated and used during Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a festive and colorful Latin holiday that originated in Mexico thousands of years ago, during which families celebrate the lives and legacies of deceased relatives. The uplifting holiday recognizes death as something to celebrate as part of the cycle of life.

The Calaveras logo is a unique take on a sugar skull, viewed at an angle to suggest motion and competitiveness as the team swings for the fences. Inside the decorative skull logo are subtle references to the Whitecaps and West Michigan. The eyes are baseballs inside the 616 West Michigan area code; also look for baseball bats, home plate, a W and M, the team’s original logo from the 1990s, and seagulls and waves representing the Lake Michigan shoreline.

 
With its Las Calaveras de West Michigan nights, the Whitecaps will be one of 72 minor league teams participating in the 2019 “Copa de la Diversion,” or “Fun Cup,” an Hispanic/Latino fan engagement initiative.

“This program is aimed at connecting the teams to their communities,” McCarthy said. “For the Whitecaps, it’s allowing us to both demonstrate our commitment to diversity and provide a wide selection of fan engagement offerings.”

 
The Copa de la Diversion initiative seeks to connect MiLB teams with their diverse communities, embracing the culture and values that resonate most with Hispanics and Latinos. The initiative launched with 33 participating teams in 2018 to great success and overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the program is more than doubling in size to 72 teams for its second season.

For more information about Calaveras de West Michigan, or to buy tickets or merchandise, please visit this link.

The Whitecaps open their 26th season on Thursday, April 4 at 7:05 p.m. at the South Bend Cubs. The home opener is set for Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. also against the Cubs. Complete ticket information, including season and group ticket prices and perks, is available at this link.

Whitecaps ask fans for food ideas, winner receives sweet suite for game

3-bottom, Local Food, Sports


The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

By West Michigan Whitecaps

Tigers pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland in a couple weeks, which means baseball and warmer temperatures are getting close!

When you think of baseball in West Michigan, you think of summers at Fifth Third Ballpark with the West Michigan Whitecaps and the smell of hot dogs, peanuts, and the wide variety of food selections.

To help us add to that variety, the annual Whitecaps Fan Food Submission presented by Visit Central Florida is now up and running. We’re asking fans to submit their ideas for what new food item they would like to have at Fifth Third Ballpark and thanks to Visit Central Florida the winning submission will receive a suite for one night.

This is the 10th consecutive year that a food item submitted by fans will be on the menu. Past winners include Ballpark Digest’s “Best New Food Item” for 2017, Beer cheese Poutine (a combination of pulled pork, waffle fries, beer cheese and bbq sauce), the Baco, Hot-To-Tot, and last year’s winner, Mt. Wing-Suvious, a mixture of mac ‘n cheese, beer cheese and buffalo chicken filling the center of a tower of onion rings, submitted by Grand Ledge native John King.
 
“The past couple years have been all about flavor, compared to when this first started which was about the weird, wacky, and unique,” said Whitecaps Vice President Jim Jarecki. “The submissions from our fans always make this a fun and exciting process.”

Submissions will be taken through Friday, Feb. 1. They can be made via e-mail at playball@whitecapsbaseball.com . All submissions should be accompanied by a complete description and a picture, if possible.

The ideas will then be pared down and starting Tuesday, Feb. 26 fans will be able to vote for their choice for the new 2019 concessions item. Voting will take place on the Whitecaps website. The winning entry will be on the menu for all fans to enjoy.

The Whitecaps open their 26th season on Saturday, April 6, against the South Bend Cubs at 4 p.m. Season and group tickets are now on sale. Individual tickets will go on sale in February. Complete ticket information, including season and group ticket prices and perks, is available at whitecaps whitecapsbaseball.com .

Snapshots: Kentwood, Wyoming weekend news you need to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kids Activities, Local Business, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

Quote of the Day

“November; Crows are approaching - Wounded leaves fall to the ground.” 

                                    ~ Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann

 

Make Sundays special

The Cascade Township Branch brings concerts inside for ‘Sunday Afternoon Live’, eight concerts from October 2018 through April 2019 featuring your favorite local artists. Sponsored by Cascade Charter Township, Cascade Downtown Development Authority, Cascade Community Foundation, Friends of the Cascade Township Library and Kingsland Ace Hardware.

 

Go here for more info.

 

 

‘Tis the season… for season tickets

Season tickets and mini ticket plans for the 2019 West Michigan Whitecaps baseball season are now on sale. Season ticket holders receive special perks ranging from a free luxury suite, discounted hot dog/soda vouchers, discounted preferred parking plans, souvenir shop discounts, a ticket buy-back and exchange program, early entry into the ballpark, guaranteed giveaway items and more (not all perks are included in all ticket packages).

 

Go here for more info.

 

Wait — only five?

With West Michigan being home to the Fruit Ridge — one of the best fruit-growing regions in the world — there is an abundance of orchards and farms to explore and plenty of apples and fresh cider to enjoy during the fall season.

 

Here are five ways to enjoy fall in West Michigan. We’re sure there are many more, but here’s five.

 

Fun fact:

Hmmm, I don’t think so

Nicholas Cage bought a pet octopus once because he sincerely thought it might help with his acting.

 

 

2019 Whitecaps season tickets now on sale

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,

Courtesy West Michigan Whitecaps

By Mickey Graham, West Michigan Whitecaps

 

Season tickets and mini ticket plans for the 2019 West Michigan Whitecaps baseball season are now on sale!

 

The Whitecaps have several different season ticket packages available, starting as low as $67.50. These include a full-season 70-game plan, half-season, 10-game plans, a 5-game, Tigers Wednesdays plans and flexbooks. Season ticket holders receive special perks ranging from a free luxury suite, discounted hot dog/soda vouchers, discounted preferred parking plans, souvenir shop discounts, a ticket buy-back and exchange program, early entry into the ballpark, guaranteed giveaway items and more (not all perks are included in all ticket packages). For complete season ticket plan information including a list of perks for each plan, please visit www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

 

Box Office Manager Shaun Pynnonen said the 10-game plans and the Tigers Wednesdays plans are sure to be favorites.

 

“The Tigers Wednesdays plans are always popular. This year fans can choose from five or ten games. Those that purchase one will receive guaranteed giveaway items as well as hot dog/soda vouchers” Pynnonen said. “10-game plans will also be popular this year. These are for the more casual fans that value the great entertainment. They get a few games a month which works out great when planning summer schedules.”

 

Fans can purchase season tickets and mini plans online here or by calling the Whitecaps front office at (616) 784-4131. Current season ticket holders have until Friday, December 14 to renew their season ticket locations; after that new season ticket holder seat locations will be selected.

 

Tickets for groups of 20 or more, including private party areas, will go on sale on Friday, November 16. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early 2019.

West Michigan Whitecaps announce the retirement of the Fifth Third Burger

Entertainment, ,

It’s a wrap for the Fifth Third Burger with the West Michigan Whitecaps retiring it at the end of the season.

 

By Mickey Graham

West Michigan Whitecaps

 

The West Michigan Whitecaps are saying goodbye to a legend.

 

After 10 hearty seasons, 12,000 brave challengers and nearly 58 million gut-busting calories, the Fifth Third Burger is calling it a career. The Whitecaps will officially retire the Fifth Third Burger’s jersey on Saturday, Sept. 1, during their season-ending homestand against the Fort Wayne TinCaps.

 

Whitecaps Director of Food and Beverage Matt Timon said he is bitter-sweet about the retirement. “It’ll be sad to see the burger retire.  It’s brought us great memories and enjoyment to thousands and thousands of fans.  We just have to keep in mind that as long as we have memories of the burger, it’ll still be around in our hearts.”

 

Introduced prior to the 2009 season, the Fifth Third Burger quickly had media organizations around the world salivating, with its debut garnering coverage from ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” “The Today Show,” Jim Cramer’s show “Mad Money” with Darren Rovell and Erin Burnett, and many more. It also was featured on a 2009 episode of the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” – host Adam Richman devoured the 5-pound sandwich in only 27 minutes – and a 2011 episode of the Food Network’s “Unwrapped.”

 

Featuring five 1/3lb. hamburger patties, five slices of American cheese, a cup of chili and generous doses of Fritos, salsa, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes on a 1-pound bun, the Fifth Third Burger clocked in at 4,800 calories, 300 grams of fat, 744 milligrams of cholesterol and more than 10,000 milligrams of sodium. Despite its intimidating presence at the plate, the Whitecaps sold more than 12,000 Fifth Third Burgers, with more than 500 people consuming the entire thing before the end of the game to complete the “Fifth Third Burger Challenge.”

 

The Fifth Third Burger will eternally live in the hearts and minds (and stomachs) of Whitecaps fans. Its gastrointestinal impact can be seen on this year’s menu items Mt. Wing-suvius and the Westsider, and will continue to be an inspiration for baseball fans and foodies alike for years to come.

 

For fans that dare, this mighty culinary delight can be had at the “Sweet Meats” concession stand at any of the 10 remaining Whitecaps home games this season.

 

For tickets and information on these games and the remainder of the Whitecaps season please visit www.WhitecapsBaseball.com.

In connection with ArtPrize, WGVU brings LZ Michigan to the area

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In collaboration with PBS Stories of Service, WGVU Public Media, ArtPrize, and West Michigan Whitecaps announce LZ Michigan 2017. LZ Michigan is a “Landing Zone” to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families.

 

“On July 3, 2010 at the first LZ Michigan, WGVU said loud and clear Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans,” said Michael T. Walenta, WGVU Public Media General Manager. “During the event we challenged our community to continue the mission of LZ Michigan, to work to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families. I am continually asked when we are going to host another LZ Michigan event. WGVU Public Media along with PBS, NPR, ArtPrize and the West Michigan Whitecaps are honored to announce LZ Michigan will be happening on Sept. 23.”

 

LZ Michigan will consist of several community events and activities beginning in May and continuing through December 2017. Events include the kick-off of ArtPrize 9 and an all-day event at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 23. On Friday, Sept. 22, as part of the ArtPrize Cinema Series, WGVU Public Media, PBS, and Florentine Films will host a preview screening of “The Vietnam War,” a film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with special guests.

 

As part of ArtPrize 9, there will be a Veterans Art Competition with public and jury voting deciding on the winner. The veterans participating in ArtPrize will be celebrated at the LZ Michigan event on Saturday with the winners being announced at the ArtPrize Awards Ceremony by WGVU Public Media and the Veterans Category sponsor The Stow Company.

 

“ArtPrize celebrates freedom of expression and freedom of speech. These freedoms cannot be taken for granted, and we are proud to partner with LZ Michigan to support and honor those who serve the Armed Forces of the United States of America,” said ArtPrize Director of Communications Todd Herring.

 

Saturday, Sept. 23, will be a day-long celebration at Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Dr. NE, that will feature military displays, historical artifacts, the LZ Michigan Vietnam Big Map, Veteran World Map, guest lectures, and performances by local music artists. “We are extremely honored to be part of LZ Michigan in 2017.  The first event, in 2010, was memorable and we are proud to be the host site for this worthy event,” stated West Michigan Whitecaps President Scott Lane. The evening will culminate in an event to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families inside the Ballpark.

 

As part of the celebration of Michigan Veterans, LZ will be holding a Female Veterans Expo. The concept of “Not Every G.I. Is A Joe” resonates deeply within the female veteran community. The expo will feature information and outreach from the Grand Rapids Chapter of Team Red, White, and Blue, the VA, and the only totally female American Legion Post in Michigan. There will also be the opportunity for female veterans and their family members to paint combat boots as a memorial to the female veterans in their lives. The Female Veterans Expo serves to highlight the commitment and sacrifices that women make in order to serve their country. Our desire is that Yvette Petti, PhD, APRN-BC, Women Veterans Program Manager from the Battle Creek VA, will be on site at the Female Veterans Expo to disseminate information regarding female specific services that the VA has to offer.

 

LZ Michigan led by WGVU Public Media, is a “Landing Zone” to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families.

Tickets on sale now for Whitecaps opening day April 6

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Play ball! West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

 

Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers have reported, position players are filtering in. That can only mean that, despite the current weather in Grand Rapids, spring is coming and the Whitecaps season is coming too.

 

The first tickets for the 24th season of baseball at the Fifth Third Ballpark went on sale this week, with opening day planned for April 6, as tickets for the 4Topps tables and the opening day bash in the Stadium Club are now available. Regular game tickets for all 70 home games season will go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 21.

 

At the Whitecaps opening day, the first 1,200 fans through the gates will receive a Whitecaps Alpine Hat courtesy of Fifth Third Bank, and there will be a post-game fireworks display.

 

The 4Topps tables include four swivel chairs at a rounded table behind home plate, with exclusive wait service so you don’t have to wait in concessions stand lines. Tickets for Safeco Insurance 4Topps tables are $110 and the number of tables was expanded to a total of 30 tables a year ago.

 

The Opening Day Bash in the indoor Pepsi Stadium Club overlooking right field is a special event for the 6:35 p.m. opening day game against the South Bend Cubs. In addition to access to the Pepsi Stadium Club, each ticket includes an all-you-can-eat barbeque from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $26 per person. The Stadium Club is usually rented to large groups for Whitecaps games.

 

Fans can order 4Topps tickets and Opening Day Bash tickets, as well as regular game tickets later, online at whitecapsbaseball.com, by phone at 616-784-4131 and in person at the Fifth Third Ballpark administrative offices  at 4500 West River Drive, Comstock Park. A complete schedule is also available online.