Good Day
Grand Rapids
Friday, August 22nd, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 22nd of August.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Grand Rapids will host the Return to the River festival tomorrow along the Grand River in the Monroe North neighborhood with a magic fantasy theme that offers free music, art, and interactive activities at 555 Monroe and along the riverwalk. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday (featuring local performances, food trucks, and activities like printmaking and face painting). MLive
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Toasted Pickle opened its new Grand Rapids location at 820 Michigan Ave. on August 12 and has drawn long lines since its soft opening—General Manager Alec Avery said it will expand its menu and catering options as it moves toward a full opening. WOOD TV
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Today, the Better Business Bureau warned residents that tech support scammers use unsolicited calls and alert windows to try to access computers and steal personal details—including bank and Social Security numbers. FOX 17
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Local restaurants are having trouble with rising food prices, new wage law changes and leftover COVID-19 issues that forced places like The Green Well, Rockwell Republic and Saugatuck Brewing taprooms to close. Some owners added a 3% surcharge to cover rising costs—an effort to keep their doors open. ABC 13
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Education advocates in Grand Rapids propose a 5% tax on high earners to help fund schools and address a $4.5 billion shortfall—this initiative is now gathering signatures with a goal of 700,000 in the next 180 days to appear on the 2026 ballot. ABC 13
- ➤ Sophia Cirino and Kamryn Frick, childhood friends since they were 2, became roommates as freshmen during GVSU’s move-in week at the Allendale campus that started on August 20 — move-ins will continue today for the downtown campus until August 22. The university will host a Laker Kickoff event today on Kirkhof Lawn at 6 p.m. with a class picture, a lawn party, fireworks, and a drone show. MLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Golden oyster mushrooms are spreading in local forests and parks—crowding out native species. The Department of Natural Resources urges residents to report sightings on the iNaturalist app—helping officials track the invasive spread and advising careful harvest practices to block spores. WOOD TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City and state leaders broke ground yesterday on the $19 million East Riverfront project along the Grand River near Acrisure Amphitheater that adds 4.5 acres of greenspace, a half-mile trail, water access and seating for public use. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, Kent County Floodwall Bonds and other sources — the project will open in 2026 as a key step toward a larger plan including high-rise towers and a soccer stadium. WOOD TV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Kent County Health Department confirmed on Thursday that a resident died from West Nile virus—the first WNV death since May—and officials said the virus is spread by mosquitoes, urging residents to use EPA-approved repellents and remove standing water. Health workers will continue monitoring mosquito populations through late September. ABC 13
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Small Foreign Festival
4:20-10:20 a.m. — Sullivan Field — Free entry — Celebrate summer with art, music, food, and a lively artist market in Grand Rapids.
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JP & The Energy Live Performance
6 PM – 12 AM — The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar — Cover charge TBA — Enjoy a lively night with modern pop music and nostalgic throwbacks from up-and-coming band JP & The Energy.
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Angry Zeta Concert
8 PM – 12 AM — Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill — Ticketed event — Experience the unique fusion of punk, country, and hillbilly sounds from Argentina.
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Harry Dean and the Dusty Boys Live Performance
6-10 p.m. — The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar — Free entry — Experience the live sounds of Harry Dean and the Dusty Boys in a vibrant atmosphere.
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Kidz Bop Live: Certified BOP Tour
6-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the energetic Kidz Bop Live with beloved songs and interactive fun for kids.
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GrandCon: Michigan's Premier Gaming Convention
10 AM – 10 AM — DeVos Place — Ticketed events available — Celebrate tabletop gaming with a weekend full of fun, including cosplay and tournaments.
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Back Outside: The Block Party
12-9 p.m. — Boston Square Neighborhood Association — Free entry — Celebrate Black culture and community through food, fun, and local vendors.
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Divine Service on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 – 11:15 AM — Messiah Lutheran Church — Free entry — Experience a joyful Divine Service filled with grace and community spirit.
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Fort Wayne TinCaps at West Michigan Whitecaps
6:35-8:05 p.m. — LMCU Ballpark — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling minor league baseball matchup between the TinCaps and the Whitecaps.
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Jason Aldean's Full Throttle Tour
7:30 p.m. — Van Andel Arena — Ticket prices vary — Catch country star Jason Aldean live with special guests Nate Smith, RaeLynn, and DeeJay Silver.
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