Friday is National Arbor Day, a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Included on this week’s list is a place to get a free tree! This is the last weekend in April. Get out there and have fun! Here are 10 things you can do around west Michigan this weekend — both inside and out!

Some activities include the kids, while others are more for the adults.

Click on the event title for additional information.

  • 1

    Butterflies are Blooming

    Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
    Friday & Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm

    This is your final weekend to check out the annual Butterflies are Blooming exhibit. It only runs through Sunday, April 30th. As you walk through the Tropical Conservatory you may see up to 50 different species of tropical butterflies from around the world. You might even have one or two land on you! There are also butterfly themed activities for the kids.

  • 2

    Davenport University Excellence in Business Gala

    DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    Friday, April 28th, 201 - 6:00 pm-10:00 pm

    The annual Davenport University Excellence in Business Gala will be held Friday, April 28, 2017. This year’s Gala will honor Dan DeVos as the recipient of the Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award. Dan DeVos is Chairman/CEO of DP Fox Ventures, LLC, a diversified management company with interests in real estate, transportation and sports and entertainment. This year’s featured guest will be former NFL quarterback Joe Montana. Widely considered the best NFL quarterback of all time, Joe Montana personifies performance excellence and personal integrity both on and off the field.

  • 3

    Run!

    Purple Community 5K, powered by Consumers Credit Union
    Mary Free Bed YMCA, 5500 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 8:00 am

    100 percent of the proceeds from this event will benefit cancer and neurodegenerative disease research at Van Andel Institute.

     

    Rivertown Races Half Marathon & 5K
    Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Avenue SW, Walker, MI 49534
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 8:00 am

    These races start and finish at beautiful Millennium Park, the largest urban park in the area. Runners will travel over roads, paved trails, and bridges while enjoying the rolling terrain, wetlands and lakes that encompass this unique location. Food and beverages, music, and family fun will be available throughout the event.

     

    Growler Gallop 5K
    Atwater Brewing, 201 Michigan St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    Sunday, April 30th, 2017 - 4:00 pm

    With the first race in the Beer Flight Race Series, Trivium Racing is excited to work with Atwater Brewery and bring our Growler Gallop event to Grand Rapids! In year one, this race will be a 5K race starting and finishing just north of the new Atwater Brewery! Runners and walkers can expect live music, a unique finishers glass, an awesome, well marked course, an Atwater beer at the finish line, and some amazing prizes!

  • 4

    Arbor Day: Free Tree Giveaway

    Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 9:00 am-12:00 Noon

    Picking up a FREE tree at the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks first ever Residential Free Tree Giveaway on Saturday, April 29th starting at 9 am! To pick up a free tree, you must agree to plant the tree within City of Grand Rapids city limit, to keep trees properly watered and maintained, and plant your tree in the ground of your yard or community garden and NOT along streets or in city park. Citizen Foresters will be on deck helping you pick out the perfect tree for your yard. Trees will be provided in containers easy to take home by car- and will be 4 to 6 feet tall. Quantities are limited- first come, first served! The tree giveaway is sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts. THERE IS A ONE TREE MAXIMUM FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE GIVEAWAY THIS YEAR. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO CLAIM A TREE.

  • 5

    Recycling Day - Metal, Electronics and more!

    C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy, 1460 Laughlin Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 10 :00 am-3:00 pm

    As an environmental school, C.A. Frost aims to help our kids learn to reduce, reuse and recycle. This is a fundraiser event to focus on recycling. Accepted items: Car seats ( helpful if you can strip first), Appliances big and small, Electronics (no big tube televisions or monitors), Metal - if something is more metal than not, bring it out, Electronics recycling (minus old school TVs and monitors), Printer ink cartridges and paper recycling in their paper gator.

  • 6

    Drug Take Back

    Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming, MI 49519
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 10:00 am-2:00 pm

    Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, in partnership with the City of Wyoming Environmental Services and the Kent County Safe Meds Program, is hosting a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents may bring in unused prescription and over-the-counter medications for disposal. All drugs are accepted. They do not have to be in original containers. If they are in original containers, confidential bins will be used to dispose of those containers. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety participates in the event to ensure the safe disposal of the medicines. No questions will be asked of anyone bringing in any type of medication at this event. Furthermore, no paperwork is required and no signatures are collected. At last year’s event, 384.35 pounds of drugs were collected along with 60 pounds of mercury. The Kentwood Police Department are doing a simiar event. Residents are encouraged to drop off any unwanted or expired drugs, which include pills or patches, at the Kentwood Police Department at 4742 Walma Ave. SE, from 10 am to 2 pm on April 29th

  • 7

    Stuff the Bus for Pets

    Chow Hound of Breton Village, 1864 Breton Road, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 10:00 am-3:00 pm

    The Grand Rapids Jaycees are hosting “Stuff the Bus for Pets,” a collection drive to assist the Kent County Animal Shelter in caring for the animals in their facility. Donations can be brought to Chow Hound of Breton Village as they attempt to stuff a bus donated by Dean Transportation. All donations help! Some items on the wish list include: new or gently used pet supplies, dog or cat food, soft dog toys, KONGs, peanut butter, squeeze cheese, rice, EZ walk harnesses, martingale collars, leashes, durable toys, puzzle toys, nylabones, Ziplock bags, AA/AAA Batteries. Additional items on the wish list can be found on the Kent County Animal Shelter’s website. The Stuff the Bus for Pets event coincides with an area wide Empty the Shelters event happening the same day.

  • 8

    Empty the Shelters

    Various Shelters and Rescue Groups in Michigan
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - Hours vary

    More than 2,000 pets being cared for in shelters, humane societies and rescue groups across the state are expected to find new homes on Saturday, April 29 when Empty the Shelters make a comeback. The Bissell Pet Foundation is covering adoption fees at 69 participating sites across Michigan on Saturday, April 29th. There are more than 2,000 pets in shelters, humane societies and rescue groups across the state that hopefully will have a loving, forever home after this weekend. Many people adopting a new pet will only have to pay the small licensing fee for their county, which ranges from $7 to $12. Here is a list of participating shelters or groups in your area.

  • 9

    Christopher and Banks Celebrating You and Her

    Tanger Outlets, 350 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315
    Saturday, April 29th, 2017 - 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

    It’s time to recognize the women in our community, who inspire us every day! Join Steve Labenz on Saturday, April 29th, at Tanger Outlets at the Christopher & Banks store from 1-3 pm. He’ll be broadcasting live from the Christopher & Banks Celebrating You & Her event, where C&B will be celebrating the generations of women we turn to for support. From mothers and daughters, to colleagues and mentors, be treated to a day of fun and style! Shop new spring arrivals with girlfriends and you’ll both receive 50% off your full price purchase and really, what better way to treat yourself! Plus, with any purchase, you’ll receive a complimentary flower, while supplies last. Enjoy refreshments, enter to win a $500 C&B gift card, and more!

  • 10

    16th Annual Lakeshore Blessing of the Bikes

    Ottawa County Fairgrounds ,1286 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424
    Sunday, April 30th, 2017 - 10:00 am-4:00 pm

    A community gathering to start the 2017 riding season with a blessing for the riders to have a safe year, to promote a sense of fellowship among bikers and to support local charities. Hundreds of motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists attend the blessing. The event features live classic rock music and classic cars on display. Food vendors are on-site and merchandise/retail vendors are invited to sell leather goods, t-shirts, jewelry and other "wares”. An entry fee donation of $5.00 per bike or vehicle will be collected at the gate. All gate proceeds from this charitable event will benefit Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity and Kids’ Food Basket - Holland.

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