The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc are partnering to host the 10th annual Freeze Fest doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to join the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, 1088 Gentian Drive SE, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $25 per person or $50 per team, plus a canned food donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
“We’re pleased to celebrate 10 years of Freeze Fest, continuing this annual gathering of disc golf players coming together for friendly competition and to support our Little Free Pantry,” City of Kentwood Recreation Program Coordinator Lori Gresnick said. “We’ve enjoyed watching this event grow over the years and look forward to seeing it thrive for many more.”
Pre-registration for Freeze Fest is encouraged. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m., and the first round of the tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Dune Buggy food truck will be on-site at 11:45 a.m., offering a variety of burgers, sandwiches and sides. For more information about Freeze Fest, visit kentwood.us/FreezeFest.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
“Each year, the Great Lakes Disc team looks forward to joining the City of Kentwood in hosting this beloved event,” Great Lakes Disc owner Shea Abbgy said. “We are happy to bring disc golfers together for this offseason competition.”
Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is open to all community members year-round, offering non-perishable food and personal care items anonymously to anyone in need. The pantry is in need of donations, and the City is encouraging local businesses, organizations and community members to get involved.
A Little Free Pantry is available at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, and at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Several donation bins also are available throughout Kentwood.
For more information about Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry and to find a list of suggested donations, visit kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc are partnering to host the ninth annual Freeze Fest doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to join the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, 1088 Gentian Drive SE, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds will go to support Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
The event also will include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. to celebrate the improvements made at Jaycee Park. The enhancements, funded through the Kent County Community Development Block Grant, include a new multiuse building, landscaping, enhanced security, bridge renovations and more.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
“Freeze Fest always brings a sense of excitement year after year and is a wonderful way for the community to come together for some great disc golf, winter fun and the opportunity to give back,” said Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator. “This year, we get the added bonus of unveiling all the improvements at Jaycee Park to community members before kicking off the event.”
On-site registration for the disc golf tournament begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10:15 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FreezeFest. The cost is $25 per person or $50 per team and one canned food donation.
“In collaboration with the City of Kentwood, this event stands as a highlight on our calendars every year,” said Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc. “Great Lakes Disc is honored to continue our support for the local community and bring the disc golf community together during the offseason.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open to all community members year-round and is designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers nonperishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required, and no questions are asked.
Community demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, has steadily increased since its opening. To help meet the growing need, the City of Kentwood opened a second pantry location in 2021 at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. More information is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc are partnering once again for the annual Fall Fling, a disc golf tournament and food drive set for Saturday, Nov. 12.
Donations will help restock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
Community disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to bring a partner for this best-shot doubles tournament at Kentwood’s Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Drive SE. Each participant will receive a player package at check-in with opportunities for extra prizes during the event. The cost is $25 per person or $50 per team plus a canned donation item for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
“This popular event gives local disc golfers a chance to continue playing through the fall months while also helping us stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “We are very grateful to be partnering again with Great Lakes Disc for this awesome event and for the generosity and participation of the local disc golf community.”
A previous Fall Fling disc golf tournament. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FallFlingDiscGolf. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. and the first round of the tournament will begin at 10 a.m. El Jalapeño food truck will be on-site with authentic tacos, burritos and more for purchase.
“This event gives us the opportunity to enjoy a friendly disc golf tournament while giving back to the community,” said Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc. “It’s a great way to get involved and we have enjoyed partnering with the City of Kentwood to host this event each year.”
Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which operates year-round, provides food to community members in need. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The pantry is open to all community members year-round and addresses an immediate and local need. It offers non-perishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry, no applications required and no questions are asked.
The demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry has steadily increased over the years and the current need for donations is high. The pantry has locations at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, and the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, along with several other donation bins located throughout the City’s campus.
More information about the pantry, including hours and a suggested list of donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc will again partner to host the 6th annual Freeze Fest doubles disc golf tournament — a best-shot doubles competition open to all levels of golfers — on Saturday, Feb. 20. The event is also a food drive with all proceeds supporting Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
The tournament will be at Jaycee Park, 1088 Gentian Drive SE, with on-site registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the first round of the tournament at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/freezefest. The cost is $40 and one canned food donation per team.
Whatever the weather, disc golf is in season; and donating to the Kentwood food bank is also always in season. (Wikimedia Commons)
“It’s always incredible to watch community members come together in support of Kentwood initiatives,” Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “The disc golf community is no exception. We are grateful so many disc golfers join us at our annual tournaments for some friendly competition and to generously restock the Little Free Pantry.”
The Freeze fest has become an annual winter tradition in Kentwood but for all West Michigan disc golfers.
“Great Lakes Disc is happy to host the Freeze Fest with the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department for our sixth consecutive year,” Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc, said in supplied material. “We’re excited about this event’s continued growth, which allows us to give back to the community in a very tangible way.”
A City of Kentwood Little Free Pantry, now one of two, is in the Kentwood Activities Center. (City of Kentwood)
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open to all community members year-round and is designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers non-perishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required and no questions are asked.
The demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, has steadily increased since it opened, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement from the City of Kentwood.
To help meet the growing need, the City of Kentwood recently launched another Little Free Pantry at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. More information is available at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
From a previous year’s City of Kentwood Daddy-Daughter Dance, which this year will be expanded to be an “all family” dance. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The City of Kentwood has community-focused events all year round but February may be a little more busy than most months with its annual Valentine’s Dash 5K on Saturday, Feb. 8, and two more events later in the month, including the Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament, and a Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance, both on Feb. 22.
Many of the city’s community events also support local persons in need. This week’s run/walk will benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, while the disc golf tournament also serves as a food drive for the pantry.
This week’s 5K run/walk will start and end at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, located at 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 9:30 a.m. The race will begin at 11 a.m.
Some of the runners at a previous Kentwood Valentine’s Dash 5K. (WKTV)
The 5K route will include a combination of trails and roads with mile markers and Valentine’s Day candy stations. Valentine’s-themed costumes are encouraged for the occasion. Fellow participants will vote to determine who is the “best dressed” and awards will also be presented to the fastest runners. While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, it will be chip-timed.
Following the race, participates will be invited into the library’s community room for a party that will include music, snacks, a photo booth, the award ceremony and more. If participants bring a non-perishable item or additional monetary donation for the pantry, they will be entered to win a special door prize.
Online registration costs $30 until Feb. 7, and $35 for day-of registration. Participant packets include a long-sleeve shirt “and other goodies.” Runners who sign up as a couple will save $5 each.
A full day of fun on Saturday, Feb. 22
The late-month events are filled with family fun at the library and outdoor adventure, with the Hawaiian Luau-Themed Family Dance particularly unique.
“This dance is such a great opportunity for kids to get dressed up, have fun and dance with the adults in their lives,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “Whether they choose to attend with their parents or grandparents, primary caregivers, guardians or other relatives, the event is open for children to enjoy an evening making memories with their family, whoever that is to them.”
Formerly known as the Daddy-Daughter Dance, this family event will run 6 to 8 p.m. in the community room at the Kent District Library’s Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch and include refreshments, crafts, a photo area with props and a DJ. The evening will also include a short hula performance by Pacific Island Dancers.
Tickets cost $10 per person, and pre-registration is required. To purchase tickets go online at kentwood.us/familyluau or call 616-656-5270.
Earlier that day, the Freeze Fest doubles as a disc golf tournament and food drive as the City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc have once again partnered to host the competition.
The start of the 2019 Freeze Fest disc golf event. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
Disc golfers of all levels are invited to partake in the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, located at 1088 Gentian Dr. SE. Funds raised this year will benefit City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation youth programs and all food donations will help stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
On-site registration begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. The cost is $40 and one canned food donation per team.
“We look forward to this event every year not only because disc golf and a little competition is exciting by nature, but because it’s incredible to watch community members come together in support of Kentwood initiatives,” Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “Last year, we collected an entire car load of groceries and supplies for the Little Free Pantry, which really goes a long way.”
Pre-registration and more event information is available online at: kentwood.us/freezefest.
Located in the Kentwood Activities Center at 355 48th St. SE, Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is a year-round resource for area residents to take or donate food and personal care items. No applications necessary, and no questions asked. More information about Kentwood Little Free Pantry, including a list of suggested donations, is available online at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.
Whatever the weather, disc golf is in season; and donating to the Kentwood food bank is also always in season. (Wikimedia Commons)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc Golf have partnered to offer the third Fall Fling event, a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive, on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to participate in the event at Old Farm Park, which is located at 2350 Embro Dr. SE. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the “best shot” doubles tournament.
The cost to register is $40, along with one canned food donation per team. Proceeds raised will go towards maintaining the course and food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.
“Not only is the Fall Fling a fun event for our area disc golfers to come together to soak up the mild fall weather before winter comes, it is also for a good cause,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Each fall disc golf tournament we’ve held has been successful in bringing a great turnout and, ultimately, restocking the pantry for our community with dozens of canned goods.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. in 2017. The small food pantry is open year-round and designed to fill an immediate and local need. The premise is similar to that of the Little Free Library movement: Take an item (or items) when needed and leave an item when you can. No applications necessary. No questions are asked.
Disc golf is big in West Michigan and is now on WKTV cable television. (U.S. Air Force photo)
By City of Kentwood
The City of Kentwood is hosting two events in November to say farewell to fall and kick off the holidays: Fall Fling at Old Farm Park, a disc golf tournament, on Saturday, Nov. 10, and an Ugly Sweater Cross County 5K run on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Community disc golfers of all levels are invited to join in the Fall Fling at Old Farm Park (2350 Embro Dr. SE), a doubles disc golf tournament and food drive. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. The first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. The cost to pre-register online is $40, along with one canned food donation per team.
Proceeds raised will go towards the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund, which allows recipients to receive up to 50 percent off of one program per season. Food donations will go to Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, where area residents are encouraged to take or donate food and household supplies for community members in need.
“We had a great turnout for the first disc golf tournament we held last February, called, Freeze Fest. Participants from that event expressed an interest in doing another, and we were happy to oblige,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “In addition to being a fun way to soak up fall weather before winter comes, the Fall Fling is for a good cause.”
The Freeze Fest disc golf event held last February included over 120 participants. In addition to restocking Little Free Pantry with canned goods, the event raised nearly $2,300 for the Youth Scholarship Fund and an additional $235 for the pantry.
The Ugly Sweater 5K run will feature a route that showcases two Kentwood parks and a portion of the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Check-in, on-site registration and packet pick-up will all take place at 10:30 a.m. the morning of the race at East Paris Nature Park, located at 5995 East Paris Ave. SE. The race will begin at noon.
“We’re looking forward to seeing people flaunt their best ugly sweaters on the cross-country course” said Romeo. “The race route will allow runners to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery and weather. Most of the course will be on a paved path that weaves through two of our 14 parks.”
While the 5K is intended to be a fun run, volunteers will be timing participants. Results will be online after the event is complete. Water stations and medical aid services along the course.
Registration costs $25 until Oct. 31, after which the price will increase to $30. Proceeds from the race will also support the Youth Scholarship Fund. Individuals interested in racing can register online.
