10 Things To Do this Weekend: August 2nd-4th
The U.S. Coast Guard Festival continues in Grand Haven. Around Grand Rapids we have Hidden Gardens, a Back to School Bash, the Picnic Pops, Harry Potter Movie Night, Comedy, a Superhero themed 5K Run, Dinosaurs, a Musical with Elvis songs, and Free Pinball.
Some activities include the kids, while others are more for the adults.
Click on the event title for additional information.
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U.S. Coast Guard Festival
Grand Haven, MI
Runs through Sunday, August 4th, 2019
Cost: Free Admission
Saluting the men & woman of the U.S. Coast Guard, Everyday Heroes – Centuries of Service. The focus of the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival is the National Coast Guard Memorial Service honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country while fulfilling their motto “SEMPER PARATUS” (“Always Ready”). Each year since the first picnic in 1924 and the first festival in 1937, they have celebrated our heroes, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard with fun filled family events at the annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. Grand Haven is honored by its designation as “Coast Guard City, USA” by an Act of Congress and signed by the President of the United States on November 13, 1998. On Friday night, it’s “Satisfaction”, a Rolling Stones Tribute Band. On Saturday it’s Abbamania & Night Fever Tribute, along with Fireworks! The Festival will wrap up Sunday with Worship on the Waterfront beginning at 7 pm.
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Tour of Hidden Downtown Gardens
Pekich Park, 9 Cherry St. (Corner of Cherry St. & S. Division), Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Friday, August 2nd, 2019 - 5:30 pm & 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
It’s a tour of hidden downtown gardens, featuring Dwelling Place resident run gardens. Participants will actively learn about urban gardening, meet resident gardeners and have the opportunity to get their hands dirty! The tour departs from Pekich Park. The tour is free (suggested $5 donation) but spots are limited, please RSVP today. The garden tour is handicap accessible, but there is a one story grade change along the tour route. Be prepared to walk or roll roughly one mile round trip.
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10th Annual Back to School Bash
David D Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Friday, August 2nd, 2019 - 6:00 pm
Cost: Free
Don’t miss out on the 10th annual Back to School Bash for kids' school supply giveaways, special vendors, games, face painting and more! This event is free and open to the public! Giveaways for preschool to 8th grade while supplies last. Children must be present to receive giveaways.
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Grand Rapids Symphony Picnic Pops -- Nashville: The Songs, Their Stories, A Symphony.
Cannonsburg Ski Area, 7825 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannon, MI 49341
Friday, August 2nd, 2019 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Advance Tickets $20 Adult $5 Child (2-18), Chair $30, Table Seat $51.Tickets $5 more day of show. Children under 2 Free.
The Songs, Their Stories, A Symphony: Music City Hit-Makers is a one-of-a-kind musical event that fuses the #1 hits of three Grammy®, CMA, ACM nominated and Award-winning songwriters that have penned songs for Nashville’s most iconic stars; Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Rascal Flats, and many more. This Nashville style songwriters-in-the-round features intimate acoustic, symphonically re-imagined performances by Nashville’s most notable singer/songwriters along with the stories behind 15 #1 songs. The Music City Symphony will bring to life the symphonic arrangements of the hits by ACM Musician of the Year and Nashville studio legend, Charles Judge, arranger and conductor for Carrie Underwood’s performances with the Hollywood Bowl & Ravinia Festival Orchestras.
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Harry Potter Movie Night: The Sorcerer's Stone
20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Friday, August 2nd, 2019 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $5.00
20 Monroe Live presents Harry Potter Movie Night: The Sorcerer's Stone - a Harry Potter birthday celebration including themed drinks + activities! Guests are invited to bring a chair to set up on the main floor or choose from a seat in our lower mezzanine. Every purchased ticket comes with free popcorn! (while supplies last). A full bar and food will be available for purchase.
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Comedian Brad Wenzel
Dr. Grin’s at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Friday, August 2nd, 2019 - 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 - 8:00 pm & 10:30 pm
Cost: Tickets are $10-$15 depending on time of show
Brad Wenzel is most known for his offbeat, one-liner comedy. Brad has appeared on "Conan" and has opened for Brian Posehn, Kathleen Madigan, Demetri Martin, Gilbert Gottfried, Pete Holmes, Louie Anderson, Jerrod Carmichael, Todd Barry, and Patton Oswalt. In addition to working with these acts, Brad tours comedy clubs around the country
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The Super Run 5k
Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 - 8:00 am-11:00 am
Cost: Registration starts at $29.99
The Super Run Caped Crusaders 5k is a superhero themed run where you become a real life superhero! Grab your cape and fly over to The Super Run for a 5k fun run, music, festivities and more. Every participant gets an authentic event Superhero Cape and collectable run bib. The finishers get a super finishers medal! Run for fun, or choose your favorite charity to raise money for. Be a Hero. Help a Cause. Join the Run.
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Jurassic Adventure is Back
The DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 - 10:00 am-9:00 pm
Sunday, August 4th, 2019 - 10:00 am-7:00 pm
Cost: Adults & Teens ages 13 and up: $25/person, Children 2-12: $30/child, Military discounts: $3 off with military ID
Due to the power outage on the weekend of July 20th, they wanted to give you the opportunity to come see the dinosaurs in case you missed it! Jurassic Adventure is, the largest most realistic Dinosaur event ever seen in Michigan! There will be a wide variety of fun and educational activities designed to engage all members of the entire family. Embark on a prehistoric journey from the Jurassic all the way through the Ice Age periods and discover the Dinosaurs & Mammals that ruled the earth for more than 150 million years ago! The main exhibit features over 50 life size ultrarealistic dinosaurs in their natural habitat. Other exhibits include hands on interaction with these enormous Dinosaurs, ride a cute little baby Dinosaur, be courageous and ride a 12 foot animatronic T Rex & Triceratops. Tracey, a friendly young T-Rex greets guests periodically throughout the event and can be found walking and playing with the kids.
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All Shook Up
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 Division Ave. N., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 - 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 4th, 2019 - 2:00 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $16.00
Featuring songs made famous by Elvis Presley, this musical romp will whisk you back to the days when everyone was jivin’ to the jukebox. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Midsummer Night’s Dream, this YOUNG@PART version has been adapted for young audiences and performers and features talented West Michigan teens as part of the Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive program. The story takes place in 1955, when a handsome stranger stops in town to get his motorcycle fixed and catches the eye of the gas station owner’s daughter, Natalie. When he fails to take interest in her, she disguises herself as “Ed” to get close to him and earn his trust. A case of mistaken identities and mixed-up couples create a web of comedy and confusion, and it’s anyone’s guess if Natalie will find her happily-ever-after by the last song.
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Free Pinball Sunday
The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave., SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Sunday, August 4th, 2019 - 4:00 pm-2:00 am
Cost: Free
Want to play some Pinball for free? Head over the The Pyramid Scheme on Sunday! Ages 21+. Current list of pinball machines (subject to change): Addams Family, Batman 66, Congo, Creature From The Black Lagoon, Deadpool, Dialed In, Game Of Thrones, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Indiana Jones Pinball Adventure, Iron Maiden, Medieval Madness, Metallica, Monster Bash, Scared Stiff, The Shadow, Simpsons Pinball Party, Spiderman, Star Wars, Tales Of The Arabian Nights, Theatre Of Magic, Total Nuclear Annihilation, Twilight Zone, White Water & Walking Dead.