Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m Jenny, and this is Calder News.

I keep forgetting this Fourth of July is kind of an important one—America is celebrating 250 years. That feels like a big number, even though we’re much younger than most other nations out there.

Like any good birthday party, I hope you all have fun and eat lots of cake!

~Jenny F.

Obviously, there will be a fireworks display downtown, but maybe you don’t want to deal with the parking or the crowds, or maybe you just want some options. Well, good news—we’ve got options for you.

Calder News has the ultimate fireworks show lineup. Want to watch a show by the water?

Check out East Grand Rapids. Want a show where you can sit in an actual seat? Go to the Whitecaps game and stay for the fireworks. Too busy this weekend for fireworks? Lowell sets theirs off next weekend.

Ada used to be my fireworks show of choice because there was plenty of lawn space to watch from. Kentwood is the current frontrunner because it’s got a party vibe but doesn’t party as hard as downtown.

Check out our list.

A briefing of local news that matters

Parks

You can find dog parks here and there, but the newest is also the first in dog-centered design. Wahlfield Dog Park in Comstock Park is hosting its grand opening July 24th, where furry friends can enjoy lots of space, make new friends, and then get cleaned up at the dog wash before they get back in the car. See more details.

Development

Why are big machines in the middle of the Grand River this week? They are finally tearing our the dams and restoring the rapids. It’ll take two years but the result will be a better ecosystem and more options for water sports. Read more here.

Health

Trinity Health has partnered with Dispensary of Hope to help people who aren’t insured and struggling with poverty get their prescriptions for free. Patients can send their prescriptions for pickup at the Roosevelt Park pharmacy. See more details.

Tourism

The new proposed aquarium has hit a couple snags so far, but its luck might be changing. Because it has the potential to impact tourism, a request for an extra $30 million from the state may help move the project along. Check it out.

Have news to report? Click here.

On Tuesday, we asked where everyone was going to watch fireworks this year, but it seems the better question was if you’d watch…

Because the results showed majority of people who responded weren’t going out at all.

The barbecue masters at Watusi are currently renovating a space on College that will eventually be their own brick-and-mortar restaurant. You can follow their progress on their Instagram page.

Sometimes you just need to smash something, and iSmash has got you covered. The national chain is opening a Grand Rapids location on July 11th. Break a plate, splatter some paint, and more.

The Pyramid Scheme was named the Best Live Music Venue in West Michigan in Revue Magazine.

🥵 Traffic Topic Gets Heated

If you like watching celebrities suffer through spicy wings on “Hot Ones,” you’ll love this new video from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department where police officers explain the controversial “zipper merge” while choking on hot chicken.

🚲 Bank Gives Away Two Bikes

Do you need a new bike? Stop by the Wyoming branch of Bloom Credit Union in July to enter their giveaway for one kid's bike and one adult's bike.

🎨 Southtown Hosts Own ArtPrize

The Southtown Corridor is looking for artists to participate in their SouthPrize. The event takes place alongside ArtPrize and has its own cash prizes.

*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.

Powered by:

Hiring? Post a Job

Hunting for a new career? View 86 new roles added this week.

Made for Grand Rapids locals by locals. 📍