By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today the 2019 dates for its annual Ethnic Heritage Celebration, bringing cultural immersive experience to school groups during the last week of October and culminating with a public celebration of Ethnic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The City of Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have a long-standing history of diversity and various cultural traditions dating back from early explorers and fur traders, to modern day cultural rituals from new residents of the region.
Schools groups are invited to visit the GRPM for Native American Cultural Days as part of the Celebration on Oct. 23 and 24, and the public is invited to the Ethnic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Native American Culture Days invites field trips to learn first-hand about Native American regalia, dance and music and immerse in the rich history of local Native American cultures.
Ethnic Heritage Festival is a day-long celebration of music, dance, crafts and food representing the various ethnic groups that call West Michigan home. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, the event features a variety of traditions, performances and presentations. The Museum Café will feature ethnic food selections. Event activities are included with general admission to the Museum.
Organizations participating in this year’s festival include Grand Rapids Scottish Society, End of Trail Jewelry, The Gaelic League/Irish American Club of West Michigan, ASSE International Student Exchange Program and more. Performers include Motherland House Concerts, Woodland Boys Drum, Red Cloud Dance Group, India Link, Shimmy USA and more.
Visitors will be able to view the Museum’s exhibitions, with two specific exhibitions having a primary focus on diversity and culture: Newcomers: The People of This Place which highlights the ethnic groups that have settled the Grand Rapids area, and Anishinabek: The People of this Place which focuses on the Native American culture in the region.
Please visit grpm.org/EHF for additional information about the Ethnic Heritage Festival, and more on the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s exhibitions and programs.
