By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer
It’s Memorial Day weekend!
That means it’s the unofficial start of summer. Who’s ready? I know I am.
Let’s take a look at some of things to do this weekend in my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.
Oh, and don’t forget the Grand Rapids Memorial Day Parade is at 10 a.m. Monday. More info at uvckc.org. The Wyoming ceremony is at 7 p.m. Monday. More information on the Facebook Event page.
Gonzo’s Top 5
5. Spring Wildflower Walk at Blandford Nature Center
This is a great time to discover nature, and also learn more about our Michigan spring wildflowers, also known as spring ephemerals. This weekend you can check them out on a special wildflower walk from 1-2 p.m. Saturday (May 28) at Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW. According to the event page: “These flowers take advantage of the sun-lit and moisture-rich woodlands to bloom quickly and to go seed in order to ensure their survival until next year. Join Julie Batty, our Land Stewardship Manager, and she leads a walk along the trails of Blandford to seek out some of these flowers before the forest shades over for the summer and they disappear again until next spring.” Cost is $7 for members and $10 for non members. This is an outdoor event. More information on the Blandford Nature Facebook event page.
4. African Market Michigan in Kentwood
Have you been looking for an opportunity to taste authentic African food? This weekend check out African Market Michigan, which will be serving African food and selling African clothing/jewelry all weekend. The pop-up restaurant will be open from noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday (May 28-30) at The Social Suite and Rental, 5528 Division Ave S, in Kentwood. Don’t wait too late in the day because they could sell out before 5 p.m. Learn more on the Taste of Africa Michigan Facebook page.
3. Memorial Day Celebration at Berlin Raceway
It’s always a fun time at the Berlin Raceway in Marne. The racing continues this weekend with some special events, and fireworks! On the schedule is the second and final Money in the Bank qualifier for the Budweiser Super Late Models, plus a 50 Lap feature for the Model Coverall Service, Inc. Limited Late Models. On the track they’ll also have the Coors Light Sportsman and the Good Humor Mini Wedges. As always, kids 15 and under are free. Also, military, veterans and seniors 65+ are admitted free. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at berlinraceway.com.
2. Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
In case you have not heard, the Gerald R. Ford Museum has a special exhibition dedicated to artist Michelangelo, known for his famous fresco “the creation of man” and his work on the Sistine Chapel. With special expertise and care, the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced with licensed high definition photos. They are on display now through Oct. 22. According to the Ford Museum website: “While visitors to the Vatican Museums in Rome can marvel at these frescoes only from afar, ‘Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition’ now offers the opportunity to observe these masterpieces close up, in the form of reproductions.” After centuries of use, the paintings in the Chapel had become covered in such a thick layer of dust and soot, according to press materials, “and as a result of this deterioration the brilliance of the original luminous colors had all but disappeared.” This exhibition brings an entirely new perspective to this work by Michelangelo and acts as a form of art in its own right. Learn more at https://chapelsistine.com/exhibits/grand-rapids/.
1.Fulton Street Farmers Market, Friday, Saturday | 8AM-2PM, 1145 Fulton St E Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids’ oldest Farmers Market, operating since 1922, is back for another summer season. The Fulton Street Farmers Market features 118 outdoor booths and additional space for indoor booths. The market hosts an assortment of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, hand-crafted food items, and unique artisan products year-round. The summer season is underway now with expanded hours and days, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Fulton Street Farmers Market is located at 1145 Fulton St. SE. Learn more at fultonstreetmarket.org. The Fulton Street Artisans Market opens June 12.
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.
