Good Day
Grand Rapids
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids will host its 2026 Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. on Lyon and Ottawa, featuring veteran groups like the American Legion and a post-parade ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park (with a keynote speaker and tribute performances). ABC 13
- ➤ John Ball Zoo will open its expanded otter habitat tomorrow at 9 a.m. at 1300 West Fulton St. The weekend event (OtterPalooza) will have keeper chats, steel drum shows, juggling acts, and new viewing areas as part of the zoo’s 10-year master plan. MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Acrisure in Grand Rapids is cutting 2,250 jobs — an 11% drop — as it shifts to new artificial intelligence technology; layoffs began yesterday and will continue in phases into next year. FOX 17
- ➤ Kobold’s Kitchen, a new board game café in the Creston neighborhood at 2450 Plainfield Ave. NE, will hold a 7 a.m. soft opening on Wednesday, June 3 with a full menu, 800 board games, and game tenders (mid-July raffle planned) to welcome families. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A new juried fine art fair featuring original works in painting, sculpture, ceramics, and more will run from June 5-7 in Gaslight Village — with live music, interactive experiences, and local businesses participating. Admission is free. FOX 17
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ MAX Transit will update its fare system on June 8 — shifting to digital payment options through the Token Transit and Macatawa Area Express apps while still accepting cash on all buses in Holland; passes without a 60-day expiration must be loaded or redeemed by Sept. 30 per FTA rules. MLive
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Kentwood’s West Michigan Sobriety Court Program, running since 2015 at the 62-B District Court, helps repeat OWI offenders rebuild their lives as Judge Amanda Sterkenburg selects participants; recent graduates like Brookelyn Rounds, who finished her education at Douglas J Institute on March 25, show the program’s impact. FOX 17
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Former Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center at 1863 Monroe Ave NW is on sale with bidding starting at $1.5M; buyers can inspect the 3.5-acre riverfront property June 1 — 4 and bid by July 15, while city officials had considered buying the site for a community center and housing. MLive
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Daveonce Washington: The Motown Get Down
9 PM – 1 AM — Billy's Lounge — Cost Info Not Provided — Enjoy a high-energy dance party with Da'Veonce & DaFunk Gang featuring modern funk beats.
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Chicago Wolves vs Grand Rapids Griffins (Round 3 - Home Game 3)
7-8 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Watch the thrilling playoff clash between the Wolves and Griffins live on FloHockey.
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Big Boi with Chip tha Ripper
6:30-8:00 p.m. — Acrisure Amphitheater — $1 donation per ticket to The Big Bro Foundation — Enjoy a night of hip-hop while supporting youth empowerment initiatives.
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Prairie Drone Companion Album Release
7-11 p.m. — Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill — Entry TBA — Discover the sounds of local music veterans launching their debut album.
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Cody Johnson Concert
7-9 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of live music with country sensation Cody Johnson.
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Comedy Bang! Bang!
8-11 p.m. — GLC Live at 20 Monroe — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughs with top comedians and great entertainment.
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The Rare Occasions Live Concert
6:30-10:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket prices vary — Experience explosive garage rock anthems with LA-based indie band The Rare Occasions.
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Dan Rickabus Album Release Event
7-10:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Tickets start at $74 — Experience a memorable evening with live music from Dan Rickabus in Grand Rapids.
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The Wallflowers Concert
7:00–8:30 p.m. — Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater — Ticket info available — Enjoy a live performance by The Wallflowers in a beautiful garden setting.
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The Arcadian Wild Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Stache — Ticket info to be announced — Enjoy an evening of captivating indie folk/pop melodies from Nashville's The Arcadian Wild.
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Reveal the authorAbout Good Day Grand Rapids
Welcome to the Good Day Grand Rapids, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Grand Rapids, Michigan community. If you like the Good Day Grand Rapids, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Grand Rapids.
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