Good Day
Grand Rapids
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Grand Rapids.
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 17th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tomorrow at Grand Valley State University Watson Lot, the Roll'N Out Food Truck Fest will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and serve food from 44 trucks & 22 vendors offering dishes such as falafel, pizza, burgers, crepes, empanadas, ice cream, tamales, and waffles. The family-friendly event will also feature live DJs, face painters, and magicians & provide picnic areas for visitors to enjoy local cuisine and entertainment. MLive
- ➤ Hero's Corner, a drop-in center for veterans in Grand Rapids, replaced its 20-year-old leaky roof that forced temporary closures after severe weather — community donations helped Trident Roof Solutions complete repairs on May 9 and recent rains confirmed there were no leaks. The center still needs support to pay off the remaining bill. ABC 13
- ➤ The DeVos Institute for Arts and Nonprofit Management hosted a training session on May 9 at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for 14 local arts groups + Dick and Betsy DeVos spoke about strengthening these organizations. At a GRPS school board meeting, teachers protested for a 7.5% raise + one teacher resigned due to burnout and a heavy caseload. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Local food truck Dune Buggy—started by former yacht chef Grant Francisco and his wife—has built a strong local following with its beach-themed burgers, fries and beach bites since launching in 2022. It serves at Riverside Park during Food Truck Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. this summer and will appear at the Rollin' Out Food Truck Festival on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ABC 13
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids offers a free drop-off site — located at 2001 Butterworth St. SW — for residents to dispose of yard waste left by Thursday’s storms. The site operates Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and curbside collection with purchased tags is available for those who prefer pickup. MLive
- ➤ Workers began demolition of the Big Boy restaurant on Pearl Street NW Friday as heavy equipment cleared the site for the new $175 million, 8,500-seat Amway Stadium that will open in spring 2027—funded by Kent County hotel taxes and private donations. MLive
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services warned Michiganders and tourists to check for foam on lakes, rivers and waterways since harmful PFAS chemicals may be present — residents and visitors should rinse off immediately after contact to lower health risks. ABC 13
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR This compact, easy-to-use rangefinder is packed with features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a USB-C rechargeable battery. Lightweight and accurate, it’s a great choice for casual or beginner golfers looking for reliable performance. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Grand Rapids.
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John Moreland Live Performance
7-11 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket availability — Experience a night of acoustic storytelling with John Moreland and Ramsey Thornton.
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Women in Marketing Panel Discussion
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — L. William Seidman Center — $30 Members, $40 Future Members — Engage with an inspiring panel of female marketers discussing their unique challenges and experiences in the industry.
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Griffins Playoff Game - Home Game 4
7:59-11:59 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices may vary — Watch the Grand Rapids Griffins battle it out in the playoffs at their home arena.
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The Biz Accelerator Lab
8 AM - 3:45 PM — Grand Rapids Chamber — Check event page for pricing — Tackle burnout and boost growth with expert presentations tailored for entrepreneurs.
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West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Great Lakes Loons
6:35-10:35 p.m. — LMCU Ballpark — Ticket prices vary — Catch the excitement of minor league baseball in a thrilling matchup.
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Griffins Playoff Game 1
7:59-11:59 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience the excitement of playoff hockey with the Grand Rapids Griffins in their home opener.
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Divine Service: The Sixth Sunday of Easter
10:00 – 11:15 AM — Messiah Lutheran Church — Free entry — Experience a meaningful worship service with livestream options and a Bible class beforehand.
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Mobile Accessibility Testing Workshop by Ellen Mason
6-8 p.m. — Atomic Object — Free entry — Explore mobile accessibility testing techniques with expert guidance and hands-on demos.
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Sessanta V2: Primus, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle
7:30-9 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate Maynard James Keenan's 60th birthday with an unforgettable night of musical collaboration.
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MIB International Networking Event in Grand Rapids
6-8 p.m. — Coopersville Creamery — Free entry — Empowering networking for women focused on business growth and support.
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Good Day Grand Rapids.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way out is through.
~ Robert Frost
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