By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer
Most schools are out for the summer, which means families are looking for things to do with the kids. Maybe even things to do with dad, since it’s also Father’s Day on Sunday.
Well, you’re in luck! I have a few ideas – some for kids, some for adults – in my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.
5. Beer & Brat Street Festival, Sparta
If you’re up for a little road trip to Sparta, this first-year event looks like a lot of fun. Presented by the Sparta Chamber, the Beer and Brat Street Festival is a two-day street party with games, live music, shopping and – you guessed it, beer and brats! Hours are 4-11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday. Learn more on the Sparta Chamber Facebook event page.
4. Heritage Hill Garden Tour, Grand Rapids
Take a pleasant walk along streets of Heritage Hill where 12 historic homes will open their gardens from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (June 18). “From showy displays in front gardens bursting with color to hidden gems waiting behind a home to warmly welcome guests, the possibilities of what a garden can be will inspire you,” according to press material.
On this self-guided tour, some of the gardens you will find include:
- President Gerald Ford’s boyhood back yard now filled with statuary and rare plantings.
- Wonderland over 40 years in the making that surrounds an enchanting home.
- A serene and elegant backyard setting that includes a complete outdoor kitchen.
- A stately brick home perfectly surrounded by beautiful plantings.
- A small but artfully designed garden that makes wise use of every space.
- A front yard garden that catches the eye of everyone who passes by.
- Free-flowing flower garden on Prospect Avenue that wears new colors for every season.
- Formal fountains galore surrounding a home on College Avenue.
- Peaceful natural water feature that accents a shade garden.
- A sweet little garden on Paris Avenue.
- Vibrant annuals and perennials at the Voigt House tended by volunteers.
- Formal gardens at the Meyer May House that are reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the tour. Tickets are available for presale through midnight on June 17 at heritagehillweb.org.
More:Heritage Hill to host colorful garden tour this Saturday
3. Division Ave Arts & Culture Festival
Speaking of things to do with the family, this is perfect! According to WKTV contributing writer D.A. Reed, the Division Ave. Art & Culture Festival features “food and craft vendors, live music, Pacific Island dancers, interactive art, a colorful dragon parade, fun prize giveaways, and more.” She adds that several local Division Avenue businesses will be participating in the festival, including The Stray, Café Boba, Quest Fitness, and Natural Maya. A portion of 43rd Street will be closed down to accommodate the Festival. It is presented by the Division Avenue Business Association (DABA) and takes place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (June 18). Learn more on the Facebook Event page. Or read her story.
READ: Division Avenue hosts first annual festival on June 18
2. Meijer LPGA Classic
The LPGA Tour is back in Belmont for the eighth playing of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. All seven previous winners are in the field at Blythefield Country Club, including defending champion Nelly Korda, two-time winner Brooke Henderson and former world No. 1 So Yeon Ryu. In addition, foodies will delight in the new premium hospitality experience offered by J Brewers, is named in honor of the financier who purchased the land where Blythefield now stands. Located on the fourth fairway , J. Brewers will feature more than a 20,000-square-foot pavilion with elevated food and beverage pairings curated and prepared by local and minority-owned restaurants. Daily tickets for access to the J Brewers pavilion cost $75, but gives you front-row views of the on-course action, television viewing areas, great seats and all-you-can-eat access to food and beverage items, featuring local vendors and premium cocktails. General admission tickets are $10 Thursday through Sunday. Kids, ages 17 and under, will receive free admission with a ticketed adult. General admission tickets include general grounds access to the tournament, public viewing area and various Grand Taste viewing and concessions areas located throughout the course. The Golf Channel will show play from 3-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. All the details of the Meijer LPGA Classic at meijerlpgaclassic.com.
1.Juneteenth Celebration
On June 19 we celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. But this weekend we celebrate and pay homage to African American freedom with celebrations throughout the area. Experience Grand Rapids has an extensive list, and our friends at WZZM also have a list that includes Muskegon Heights, Holland and virtual events.
A few of note locally:
John Ball Zoo is hosting Juneteenth Fest, which is a community BBQ with live music, food grilling, people dancing, kids playing, people shopping and hanging out. It takes place 2-7 p.m. Saturday (June 18). Admission is free.
Support local Black creatives and vendors at the Baxter Juneteenth Celebration held June 18 in Joe Taylor Park . It’s all about family, food, fun, education, empowerment and entertainment.
The 2nd annual Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam is Sunday at Rosa Parks Circle and includes live music, Black-owned food and business vendors, a graffiti art showcase and more. It is sponsored by the city and local African American apparel company Justice 4 All.
The 5th annual Grand Rapids Juneteenth Dundunba at Dickinson Buffer Park begins with a parade and segues into an afternoon of live entertainment, raffle giveaways and more. June 19.
Enjoy food, fun and entertainment at two Juneteenth “pop-up” events: June 18 at Rosa Parks Circle and June 19 at Martin Luther King Park.
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.
