Happy Thanksgiving, friends.
If you have family and friends visiting from out of town this weekend for the holiday, this would be a perfect time to entertain and show off our beautiful city.
This weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal, focuses on two of West Michigan’s most popular events, plus a way to support local businesses.
Here we go.
Gonzo’s Top 5
5. Wyoming Wolves Band Craft Show
Help support the band program at Wyoming High School at its annual craft show, which is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 27). Many talented crafters and vendors will be on hand to showcase their hard work. Also, the band boosters are planning a bake sale. More information is available on the Wyoming Wolves Bands Craft Show Facebook Page. The school is located at 1350 Prairie Pkwy SW in Wyoming. (Masks are required indoors.)
4. Small Business Saturday
In the Gonzalez household we have really scaled back the last couple of years when it comes to Christmas gifts. We’re lucky. The kids are older now, and we don’t need much. But, we do love to support local businesses. This weekend — in Kentwood, Wyoming and most local communities — small mom and pop shops everywhere are hoping you stop in on Small Business Saturday. Our friends at Sunnyslope Floral will host an indoor mini holiday market with local vendors offering flowers, sweets, cookies, coffee and more. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 27) at Sunnyslope, 4800 44th St. SW in Grandville. More info on the event Facebook page. If you’re looking to support other locally owned businesses, check out a list on LocalFirst.com.
3. Rockford Brewing Co. 10th Anniversary
I can’t believe Rockford Brewing Co. has been around for 10 years. That’s like 100 in craft beer years. If you’re headed to the Rockford area this weekend, make sure to check out the 10th anniversary Pub Crawl where local restaurants/bars are showing off special RBC collaborations through the weekend. Some of those collaborations are with Mitten Brewery, Cedar Springs, Founders, Trail Point, Third Nature Brewing and more. The participating Rockford locations include Uccello’s Ristorante (Rockford), Grill One Eleven, Marinades, The Corner Bar, Kayla Rae Cellars, and Rockford Brewing Company, of course. On Small Business Saturday, RBC is offering a 16oz ceramic Camp Mug & RBC Mug Club Membership for only $34.99. More info about the 10th anniversary Pub Crawl on the event Facebook page.
2. Christmas Lite Show
I’m so excited for the return of the annual Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. The popular Grand Rapids event is celebrating 24 years in West Michigan, which means it’s been a part of our family’s tradition since it opened. (We raised our family just down the road so we got to see the lights and the lines every night.) You know the drill: Nearly two miles of Christmas magic with more than a million lights, animated displays, lighted tunnels and more. Tickets are available online or at the ticket window for $28 for most cars. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It runs through Jan. 1. More information at christmasliteshow.com.
1. Christmas at Meijer Gardens
Another West Michigan tradition returns this weekend. It’s the annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition at Meijer Gardens, which runs through Jan. 2. You know the drill here, too: More than 300,000 lights, strolling carolers, rooftop reindeer and 46 international trees and displays. But that’s not all. Guests also can enjoy Sounds of the Season, as well as the companion Railway Garden exhibition with miniature buildings handmade from natural materials and model trolleys and trains. Oh, and you know Santa will be making several appearances. In addition to late hours on Tuesdays, Meijer Gardens is open until 9 p.m. on Dec. 20-23 and 27-30. Meijer Gardens is open daily for the holidays, but closed Nov. 25, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. More details at meijergardens.org.
Well, 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. Gobble, gobble.
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’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. 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.
