Good Day
Grand Rapids
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 23rd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Grand Rapids Public Museum launched a new Veterans exhibit (in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum) today to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, and multiple Memorial Day events including a downtown parade will honor fallen service members on Monday, May 25. MLive
- ➤ Due to gas prices jumping a dollar and a half over last Memorial Day, many West Michigan families are staying local for the holiday weekend. Families like the Kranzs plan to fish (AAA advises checking vehicle fluids for safe travel), while others head north for events. ABC 13
- ➤ On Memorial Day weekend, Brianna and Alejandro Villareal delivered a box with medals, photos, and documents of Colonel Edward Fowler to his granddaughter Kristina+reuniting a family with a long-lost military legacy after 18 years of searching. ABC 13
- ➤ Three local brothers lost their lives in WWII and are honored at Lamoreaux Brothers Veterans Memorial Park with a granite monument & an annual ceremony on Memorial Day at 10:30 a.m. The community gathers to remember their sacrifice and preserve their legacy in Sparta. FOX 17
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ City Built Brewing owner Ed Collazo said contractor vehicles block parking on Mason Street due to Canal Park renovations. The brewery will mark nine years with a block party on June 6 as northbound Monroe reopens the week of June 1+ easing access ahead of Memorial Day. MLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids Children’s Museum launches an interactive exhibit honoring the Tuskegee Airmen today at 9 a.m. — the display mixes artifacts with hands-on activities to explore aviation and STEM history until Sept. 5. MLive
- ➤ John Ball Zoo opened its new otter habitat on Friday – featuring a unique art installation made from trash collected along the Grand River and Lake Michigan – that teaches visitors about preserving clean waterways, and the zoo is hosting Otterpalooza with jugglers, aerialists and guitarists until Sunday. ABC 13
- ➤ Grand Rapids celebrates a quirky parade today at Rosa Parks Circle where locals join The Rolling Wizard Parade with rollerblades or bikes & can bring a wand or fake beard to honor a beloved street performer. Organizers say the free event offers playful games for everyone. MLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Arbor Day Foundation & Enterprise Mobility planted 60 trees at Greenwood Cemetery at 1401 Leonard St. NW to boost the landscape as older oaks near their end and to add tree diversity for a healthier urban canopy as part of their long-term tree pledge. MLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ East Grand Rapids approved a $1.5 million Safe Routes to School project that adds over a mile of new sidewalks along Reeds Lake Boulevard and nearby streets with ADA improvements — work begins in July and will be complete by fall, despite concerns from local residents about maintenance and design. MLive
- ➤ On May 21, the city Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-2 to deny Albatross Aviary (a nonprofit caring for endangered birds) a use variance for its 1620 Leonard St NW facility, forcing the group to search for a new home because the area is zoned for traditional businesses. MLive
- ➤ Grand Rapids officials remind residents to use fireworks safely this Memorial Day weekend. They note that fireworks may only be used on Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day until 11:45 p.m. and breaking rules can lead to fines up to $1,000 (Fire Marshal Bill Smith). FOX 17
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids local Sam Mulder, living with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) for seven years, is joining a clinical trial at BAMF Health to help advance detection of rare cancers. The trial uses a special drug and imaging technique to highlight tumors and may boost early diagnosis for future patients. ABC 13
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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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Legally Blonde Musical
6-10 p.m. — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre — VIP packages available — Experience the fun and excitement of the Legally Blonde musical with excellent seating options and pre-event hospitality.
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Warchild - A Tribute to Jethro Tull
8 p.m. — The Stache — Cost not provided — Experience a powerful rock tribute blending personal tales of resilience and struggle through electrifying music.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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