Good Day
Grand Rapids
Thursday, February 26th, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 26th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents are invited to enter the Shipshewana On The Road 2026 Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Family Four Pack (valued at $20) for the event held at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center on March 7 and March 8. Entries are open from today until March 1. ABC 13
- ➤ Orange fencing & traffic cones line Plainfield Avenue as Metronet installs fiber optic cable for T-Mobile’s T-Fiber service to expand high-speed internet access. The project is underway to improve connectivity for local homes and businesses. FOX 17
- ➤ Trinity Health Grand Rapids awarded $279,948 to eight Kent County nonprofits through its Community Impact Grant program that will fund efforts in housing, food access, mental health and medical care for vulnerable residents. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Hudsonville Ice Cream grew from a small regional creamery to a Midwest powerhouse under late owner Denny Ellens, who purchased the company in 2003. The firm moved into a 70,000 sqft facility in Holland, hired Tina Floyd as CEO in January 2023, and received a $700,000 grant for a $40 million expansion in July 2025 + now serves customers nationwide. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A new summer event — the EGR Fine Arts Fair — is set to bring free art exhibits along Wealthy Street Southeast from Croswell Avenue to East Grand Rapids High School. The three-day event runs June 5-7 and will feature around 100 jury-selected artists, art activities and live music in Gaslight Village. FOX 17
- ➤ The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is hosting the American Revolution Experience exhibit, which highlights untold stories of everyday patriots in partnership with the DAR Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter and runs until Thursday, Mar. 5. ABC 13
- ➤ Grand Rapids native Jared Veldheer, a former NFL offensive lineman + chef at St. Paul the Apostle School, is competing tonight at 8 p.m. on FOX's Next Level Chef. He brings both his sports grit and culinary flair to the high-pressure cooking challenge. FOX 17
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Sun Chemical in Egelston Township is the only U.S. maker of the yellow road paint pigment and may benefit if a federal bill introduced by Rep. Hillary Scholten passes to require U.S.-made pigment in federal projects (it currently supplies 4% of demand and supports 120 jobs). MLive
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Connections Child Development Center in Wyoming closed after 15 staff quit, leaving families scrambling for childcare—parents struggled to find alternatives. The center will host a relaunch open house Saturday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and plans to fully reopen by March 23 if new hires meet licensing requirements. FOX 17
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids is piloting a food scrap collection program this spring to transform residents' food waste into quality compost for backyard and community gardens. The city will place 10 bins funded by a $10,000 grant and host three engagement sessions early next week to gather public feedback. MLive
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Pine Rest in Grand Rapids welcomes Sully, a 1-year-old therapy dog, to its new Pediatric Center for Behavioral Health (300 68th St. SE) to help comfort children during care; the clinic will open March 23. MLive
- ➤ Cherry Health finished over-$500K in renovations at GRPS health centers by updating spaces at Union High School, Innovation Central and Ottawa Hills — the project improved exam rooms and patient flow using state grant funds and school board support. ABC 13
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Beer Fest Pre-Party
6-9 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — All ages welcome — Enjoy a night of live music featuring local breweries before the Winter Beerfest.
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Iowa Wild vs Grand Rapids Griffins
7-9 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Streaming available — Catch the action as Iowa Wild battles Grand Rapids Griffins in an exciting hockey matchup.
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Noodle Fest
11 AM – 6 PM — Calder Plaza — $6 noodle bowls — Experience West Michigan’s noodle showdown with exciting spice challenges and live entertainment.
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Gimme Gimme Disco
8-11 p.m. — The Stache — Not specified — Dance the night away to ABBA and classic disco hits for an unforgettable party experience.
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Dancing With The Stars Tour
7-10 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets available online — Experience the excitement and glitz of Hollywood's favorite dance show live on stage.
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Ultimate Sport Show 2026
1 PM-5 PM — DeVos Place — Varies by exhibitor — Experience the excitement of the 81st Annual Ultimate Sport Show with over 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest outdoor gear and adventures.
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& Juliet Performance
& Juliet — 7:30-10:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Starting at $44 — Experience a vibrant musical reimagining of Shakespeare's classic tale.
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EKHS All Class Reunion Bash
5:30-8:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Tickets start at $64 — Celebrate with music from multiple local bands at this class reunion event.
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Grand Rapids Gold Free Ticket Event
7-9 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Free tickets for DSAWM members — Catch the Grand Rapids Gold live in action with a special ticket giveaway!
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Rick Steves' Europe: A Symphonic Journey
7:30-10:30 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Tickets start at $45 — Experience an enchanting musical exploration of Europe with Rick Steves.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Grand Rapids
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