By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer
How do we go from spring to summer so quickly?
It’s Fourth of July already!
I’ll be in the Traverse City area all weekend long for the National Cherry Festival, and I’m looking forward to meeting up with friends, checking out the local food scene and maybe hitting up a few breweries.
You can read my coverage if you go to my social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
What are you doing this weekend?
If you’re staying close to home, here is my Top 5 of things to do, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.
Here we go!
Gonzo’s Top 5
5. “Beyond Van Gogh,” Grand Rapids
This immersive experience by the artist Vincent Van Gogh has been getting a lot of media attention. Opening night was canceled because of some technology issues. And on Wednesday a person felt faint and grabbed onto a pipe and drape that caused some art to fall on patrons? It did not cause the exhibition to close. The exhibition features the artist’s work on a larger-than-life scale as visitors see at least 300 of Van Gogh’s famous artworks through projection technology. It continues through July 9 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Check ticket availability at vangoghexpo.com/grand-rapids/.
READ: What it is like experiencing the ‘Beyond Van Gogh’ exhibit
4. Ballpark Series: Red, White and Blues
Our friends at Fans of Valley Field bring back their popular Ballpark Series with a show Saturday (July 2) at Sullivan (formerly Valley) Field, a Michigan landmark with a history that dates back to 1937. It is located on the West Side of Grand Rapids. Tickets are $10 at the door or $5 in advance. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. The lineup:
•12:00-12:45pm – Teddy Brewer
•1:00-2:00pm – Larry Mack Band
•2:15-3:15pm – Rochelle and The Spoilers
•3:30-4:30pm – Hannah Rose Graves Band
•4:45-6:15pm – Asamu Johnson and The Associates of Blues
More details on the Facebook Event Page.
3. Sheryl Crow, Meijer Gardens
The “All I Wanna Do” singer – better known as Sheryl Crow – performs a sold out show Sunday (July 3) at Meijer Gardens. But you can still see Corinne Bailey Rae with Michigan act War & Treaty on July 6. Tickets information for all remaining concerts as well as availability can be found at meijergardens.org/calendar/summer-concerts-at-meijer-gardens. By the way, if you still want to see Sheryl Crow, you can join me on Saturday (July 2) when she performs at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. Ticket information at cherryfestival.org/.
2. Grand Rapids Fireworks
Activities begin at 6 p.m. Saturday (July 2) with games, food, vendors and live entertainment, which will lead up to the fireworks at 10:30 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids (next to the Ford Museum). The Stone Soul Rhythm Band performs at 8 p.m. More info at https://4thofjulygr.com.
1.4th of July Celebration, Kentwood
Kentwood plans a full day of activities, including a pancake breakfast, 5K race, parade, carnival and fireworks show. The events will begin with a pancake breakfast at Kentwood Fire Station 1, 4775 Walma Ave SE. The $5-per-person breakfast will be served 7-9:30 a.m. and include pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. It’s free for ages 5 and younger. The NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Kentwood City Hall parking lot, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. The parade is at 9:30 a.m. A carnival is planned from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. behind City Hall, which is also the site for the 4th of July celebration from 4-10 p.m. with community booths, a beer tent, food trucks and a fireworks show. More information about Independence Day activities in Kentwood can be found at kentwood.us/july4.
READ: Join Kentwood for its annual 4th of July celebration
Other area July 4th activities:
July 2
Gun Lake: Fireworks are scheduled for July 2 with a rain date of July 3. Fireworks began at dark.
July 2 and 3
LMCU Ballpark: The West Michigan Whitecaps will have fireworks for both games against the Fort Wayne Tin Caps. Game times are 6:35 p.m July 2 and 6 p.m. July 3. More details at whitecapsbaseball.com.
July 3
Caledonia: The Caledonia Independence Day Celebration will include a parade at 11 a.m. Fireworks will be at dusk and can be seen from Duncan Lake Middle School, CalPlex, or Holy Family Catholic Church.
July 4
Grandville: The Grandville July 4 Celebration will include a pancake breakfast, parade with flyover, life music and fireworks at dusk.
Dorr: As usual, the Dorr July 4th Celebration will be the entire weekend, July 2-4 with the parade and fireworks on July 4.
For more area July 4th celebrations and activities, visit Experience GR’s website.
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
