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  • 📍 How to get involved around Grand Rapids | July 25th, 2025

📍 How to get involved around Grand Rapids | July 25th, 2025

Plus, goodbye Family Fare, Coast Guard festival returns, and what to do this weekend

Author

LeQwane Lynch
July 25, 2025

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Good afternoon, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News —you made it to Friday.

I know Summer in Kent County is always packed with construction and detours.

But does anyone else feel like we’re getting hit extra hard this year? Outside of major projects like the Stadium and Amphitheater, obviously.

Yes or no?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

~LeQwane L.

Get Involved

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Community

Coast Guard Festival Kicks Off

Up for a little travel? Grand Haven’s iconic Coast Guard Festival starts today and will bring a week packed with family-friendly fun, music, and traditions to the lakeshore. Highlights include concerts, Saturday’s Kids Parade, cardboard boat race, and a fireworks show. Also, if you were wondering, unlike GR, parking is a breeze. | Check out the full schedule

Safety

Drones for Safer Policing

Kentwood Police are stepping up safety with a growing fleet of drones. Already this year, officers have used drones more than 80 times, helping locate crimials and making police work safer for everyone involved. With four drones in action and plans for more, Kentwood residents can expect quicker, safer responses during emergencies. | Read more

Development

Apartments Replace Former Family Fare

Big changes are coming to Breton Avenue on the SE side. The old Family Fare grocery store will soon be demolished to make way for Breton Meadows, a new apartment community with 168 units, half priced for mid-income renters. The $36 million project should wrap up by late 2027. | Read more

Fifth Third Building Turning into Apartments

Grand Rapids’ Fifth Third Bank building on Lyon Street has passed all of the hurdles to start its makeover, transforming offices into downtown apartments. With housing demand booming, the new apartments will offer residents unique amenities like a pool, gym, and even a golf simulator. The project wraps next spring, bringing more people into the heart of the city. | Read more

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Talk Of The Town

🙌 Call for volunteers

ArtPrize is one of the most anticipated events in Grand Rapids every year. And they are looking for volunteers to help bring their event to life. If you're interested, click here to learn more.

👪 Day of Play

Grand Rapids Children's Museum’s 8th Annual Day of Play is happening on Sunday. And it’s a totally free event for families. For all event, performance, and activity Information, click here.

📚 Open for business

The cascade branch of KDL reopened to the public on Wednesday. After the branch was temporarily closed for significant renovations.

Ask Grand Rapids: Community Highlight

Have a good story to share about Grand Rapids?

Crew Highlights is my spin on “submit an article” for you to share shoutouts, local business shoutouts, historical information, funny moments around town, or personal experiences from the city, etc.

No rants. No complaints. Just the good stuff.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Friday, July 25th

Saturday, July 26th

Sunday, July 27th

Upcoming Events

Live Music

Friday, July 25th

Saturday, July 26th

Sunday, July 27th

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

That’s All For Today…

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