Good Day
Grand Rapids
Friday, February 6th, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 6th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Meijer partnered with Downy and Operation Warm to give coats to kids in need yesterday from 9 a.m. until noon at North Godwin Elementary in Grand Rapids, helping families brace cold winter weather. ABC 13
- ➤ Byron Township neighbors will soon see needed upgrades at the community center from a 2% hotel excise tax forecast to bring in about $200,000 in its first year. Funding for the camera system update will arrive by Feb. 15 (with further expansion planned over several years). FOX 17
- ➤ Amy Van Andel Library in Ada celebrated its 5th birthday on Feb. 5 & hosted a golden birthday event with story time and gift giveaways, marking a special double birthday for founder Amy Van Andel. The celebration highlighted the library’s role as a gathering place for the Ada community. FOX 17
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Grand Rapids Public Museum will reopen its restored 1928 Spillman Carousel on Friday, Feb. 13 with extended hours until 8 p.m. and new accessibility features (including a wheelchair chariot) as part of a $50 million riverfront expansion. The ride runs daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $3. MLive
- ➤ The Grand Rapids Public Museum will reopen the 1928 Spillman Carousel + Pavilion on Feb. 13, featuring repainted animals, a new wheelchair-accessible chariot and extended hours until 8:00 p.m. A heated walkway now links the detached pavilion to the Kent County Trail System. FOX 17
- ➤ Pickle Palooza Food & Drink Fest will kick off at LMCU Ballpark on Saturday, May 2. The inaugural event offers food samples, live music, games, and a mechanical pickle ride — an all-inclusive experience hosted by Outlier Events. FOX 17
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ At the Life EMS Ambulance Innovation and Education Centre on Fuller Avenue NE, 19 paramedic students finished an 18-month class on Thursday, including 24-year-old Chané Joubert, the center's first international graduate from South Africa who plans to seek American citizenship while working. ABC 13
- ➤ Grand Valley State University’s salary book shows eight of its 10 top-paid employees hold president or vice president titles and nine earn over $300,000 each. The data gives salary details & hire dates for academic and support staff for the current academic year starting Aug. 6, 2025. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The State House passed a bill to lift the deer baiting ban (in place since 2019) in the Lower Peninsula, and the proposal now advances to the Senate. Supporters say the change will improve hunting success and help manage deer populations. FOX 17
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Vitale’s on Lenord St — managed by Austin Vitale — is bracing for a busy Sunday football game with triple-digit pizza orders and many wings expected, while the restaurant advises fans to pre-order online to beat the peak carry-out rush. FOX 17
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The BBB of Michigan warns sports bettors to carefully read fine print and verify site security ahead of Super Bowl, Winter Games in Milan, and March Madness, noting that impersonator sites may risk your deposits (check reviews on bbb.org before wagering). FOX 17
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Groundhog Day Marathon and Half Marathon
8 AM – 2 PM — The Meadows at Millennium Park — Registration required — Embrace winter with a race alongside Grand Rapids' own groundhog Gus.
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2026 World of Winter Festival
9 AM – 11 PM — Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. — Free entry — Experience the largest winter festival in the Midwest filled with stunning art, performances, and fun activities for everyone.
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Comedy at the Club
8:00 p.m. — Gilda's Club Grand Rapids — $25 — The Family Improv Workshop offers an evening full of laughter for all ages.
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Magic and Comedy Date Night
9:00 – 10:30 PM — AllArtWorks Viewing Studio — $25 — Experience a unique blend of magic, comedy, and poetry this Valentine’s night.
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2026 World of Winter Festival
9 AM – 11 PM — Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. — Free entry — Experience a vibrant winter wonderland with light installations, performances, and activities for all ages.
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SAS Vendor Exhibit & Trade Show 2026
12 PM – 6 PM — DeVos Place — Exhibit participation cost varies — Explore innovations in analytics and software at this vibrant industry trade show.
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Trey Kennedy - The Relatable Tour
7-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with Trey Kennedy's humorous storytelling and audience interactions.
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The Lou Fighters and Blender
8-11 p.m. — Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill — Free entry — Experience high-energy rock from The Lou Fighters and unique 90's hits with Bender The Blender.
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Kameron Marlowe Live Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — The Intersection — Ticketed event — Enjoy an evening with country singer Kameron Marlowe known for his heartfelt performances and rich vocal style.
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Manitoba Moose vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
7-9 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Tickets available — Celebrate the Griffins’ milestone season with an exciting match against the Manitoba Moose.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Buy your winter clothes in summer and summer clothes in winter.
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Grand Rapids
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