Good morning, Grand Rapids.
In this issue...
Soccer center meets multi-recreation support for the community
Meijer beats out Buc-ee's
Taco Tuesday... all week long!
Oh, and there's finally a map to follow on your next color tour!
Let me know where your favorite route is. I'll be looking for some inspiration!
~Sara B.
WoW is Returning Soon
Credit: Grand Rapids Chamber.
The World of Winter Festival will return in early 2027, featuring nine fantastic pieces from international artists.
(Mostly) free to all and open from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, the two-month-long festival places art and attractions across the city, including key hubs like Calder Plaza, Blue Bridge, Ah-Nab-Awen Park, and more.
Here is a shortlist of exciting activations coming as part of the festival.
Continuum By Illumaphonium
Curiosity By Amigo & Amigo
AIRSHIP ORCHESTRA By Eness
The Tunnel By Big Art
Sign By Light Art Collection
Follow the Light By Light Art Collection
Swans By Light Art Collection
SEASONAL WONDERS By LiveSpace/DGRI
So Close, So Far By Masary Studios
For photos and more details, stay tuned to the World of Winter GR Instagram!
Business News
✅ New
The City of Walker-KDL Library will hold its grand opening on Oct. 19, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 AM, including remarks from local dev. management company Owen Ames Kimball and Meijer.
The recently opened Wyoming soccer center, The UnderGRound, is a professional training ground for several activities, including hip-hop, basketball, boxing, and more.
❗ Updates
Following the loss of federal grants and other funding, Grand Rapids Pride Center is facing potential closure without the help of community support. Their funding reserve is set to run out immediately following Thanksgiving. Hope lies with a board member willing to do a 12k match.
Talk Of The Town
🐼 Name That Panda!
Until Oct. 17, YOU can help name a red panda cub at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. They've picked out three names: Dolly, Pyra, and Dolpa. Which one are you voting for?
🌮 Taco Tuesday (All Week!)
Grand Rapids Taco Week kicked off yesterday, with $3 tacos available across the city in several creative kinds. Until Oct. 18, download the Grand Rapids Taco Week app to get the discount at participating restaurants.
🏅 Win for West Michigan
West Michigan staple Meijer Inc. has beaten Buc-ee's, QuikTrip, Casey's and others for best customer satisfaction in its convenience stores. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers.
Featured Event
Click the flyer for more details!
What’s Happening?
Tuesday, October 13th
Movie: The Sixth Sense | Wealthy Theatre | 7:30 PM | $6+
Margaux Chef Series: The Chef’s Atelier | Jdek at Margaux | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $137
Wednesday, October 14th
Double Trunk Show | Metal Arts Studio | (10/14 - 10/15) All day | ?
Mobility & Balance Fitness Class | Roselle Park | 6 PM - 6:45 PM | $5
The Tom Merchant & Glen Johnson Sculpture Forum : A Material Passion: On Collecting Sculpture & Objects | Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Free
Fund and Friend Raiser | John Ball Zoo | 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Reagan: His Life and Legend With Max Boot | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free
Thursday, October 15th
2026 MANS Education Conference and Expo | DeVos Place | (10/15 - 10/16) All day | ?
White Cane Awareness Walk | Calder Plaza | 10 AM - 11:30 AM
Grandville Night Market - October! | KDL Grandville | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Friday, October 16th
Broken Wings - A Frida Kahlo Story | Grand Rapids Ballet | (10/16 - 10/25) Various times | $38
Zoo Goes Boo | John Ball Zoo | (10/16 - 11/1) 10 AM | $0+
Buy Design For Design | Vivant | 12 PM - 7 PM | ?
The Art of Wildcrafting | Koetsier's Greenhouse | 6 PM - 7:30 PM | $22–$32
Couples Carving Night | Blandford Nature Center | 6 PM - 8:30 PM | $30
Live Music
Tuesday, October 13th
Insomniac, Slumlord Radio, & Warhand | Mulligan's Pub | 8 PM | Free
He Is Legend + In Angles + Excide + He Who Dwells | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM - 11 PM | $38
Wednesday, October 14th
Sophia McIntosh | Beer City Bread CO. | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Thursday, October 15th
Bravo! Octoberfest in Vienna | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 5 PM | ?
The Merry Men | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Outside Pocket | The Old Goat | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
CBJ Blues Jam with Weezil Malone Band at Chicago Beef Joint | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
IUIO, Grey Sky and Antholo-G | Mulligan's Pub | 8 PM | Free
Music in the Stacks – Normal Mode | Grand Rapids Public Library - West Side Branch | 6 PM - 7 PM | Free
Acid Mothers Temple + Magick Potion + Ficus + Carbon Decoy | The Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM - 11 PM | $27
Friday, October 16th
The Tommy Pancy | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Marshall Werner Music | Dunneback Farm Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Ed Dupas | Forest Hills Fine Arts Center | 6:30 PM | ?
Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen – Still Gettin’ Away With It Tour | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 7 PM - 11 PM | $49.50
Kara Cole | Mulligan's Pub | 7 PM | Free
Missing Rigby | New Holland - The Knickerbocker | 7 PM - 10 PM | Free
Standing Together | Forest Hills Fine Arts Center | 7:30 PM | $25–$40
Anthony Hamilton | Van Andel Arena | 8 PM - 9:50 PM | $80
John Merchant and The Desolation Angels Wsg County Parks | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | $6
The Moonrays (cosmic surf rock) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Calder Catch Up
A quick digest of local news that matters
🍂 Leading To The Leaves: Kent County Road Commission and Kent County Parks Department launched an interactive map guide ahead of the 2026 Fall Color Tour Season, featuring over 18 routes and 350 miles of scenic spots around Kent County.
🎊 A Record-Breaking Harvest: The third annual East Grand Rapids Harvest and Beer Festival brought together between 5,500 and 6,000 people, making it the largest to date. Another win: the event also benefits local charities through Hearts of Gold.
🚘 The Parking Problem: In the upcoming Nov. 3 election, voters will decide on a $9 million bond to build a parking deck. The City of Grand Rapids has proposed the build near Gaslight Village, with 240 parking spaces total.
🔐 Safer for Students: After several safety incidents since the semester's start, GVSU's Valley Campus tightened its guest and visitor policy. Entrance access will now be limited for all incoming and outgoing traffic, with a strict guest registration policy.
🏥 Corewell's Compromise: Pushback from Heritage Hill neighbors led to plan redesigns for Corewell Health's proposed inpatient tower, intended as part of the Butterworth Hospital Campus.
Have news to report? Click here.
That’s All…
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