20th Annual Great Lakes Kite Festival
Grand Haven State Park
May 22-23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free
mackite.com
Witness a simple pastime become an art form at Mackinaw Kite & Toys' biggest festival of the year. Lay out a beach blanket and picnic on the warm sand. Lounge with the fam as the sky becomes your entertainment. Colorful silk flyers flutter across a cloudy canvas throughout the day.
The pros dominate the center flying field, maneuvering their stunt kites and performing choreographed team routines to music.
Show your own handling skills on the north flying field, open to anyone with a kite. Non-kite owners can head to the manufacturer's field and test-fly this year's newest kite designs.
When your necks stiffen from staring skyward, peruse the MACkite tent to view a variety of kites and wind toys up for adoption or try your hand at family games and crafts benefiting the Children's Leukemia Foundation.
Galaxies
Carr-Fles Planetarium, Muskegon
May 11-June 17, Tuesdays & Thursdays 7 p.m.
Free
muskegoncc.edu
Described as "a nature walk on the grandest of scales," this star-studded show starts in our local skies and transports your little astronomers through the Milky Way and on to outer galaxies. Classical Composer Kevin Braheny's original music lures your mind into the cosmos as star clusters and nebulae float across the orbed planetarium sky. Tim Ferris, noted author of 11 cosmology books, including the bestselling book and PBS movie, Seeing in the Dark narrates the 40 minute extra-galactic journey.
Passenger Hot Air Balloon Rides
Sky American, Inc.
May-Oct. by reservation
$225 per passenger
skyamericaninc.com, (616) 698-9245
Jump aboard balloon pilot, Woody Watson's hot air balloon for an unforgettable ride. At dawn or dusk, the 105,000 cubic foot balloon sets sail after an orientation, including a history of ballooning lesson from the enthusiastic captain. Besides a breathtaking float in the clouds, your family toasts the voyage with complimentary non-alcoholic bubbly and take turns running the burner, actually driving the huge balloon.
Topping out at 1,200 feet, Watson hovers at about 500 feet at 10 mph over the Thornapple River area, south of the Ford airport. "I get paid to have fun," Watson said, "so I am sure to make it fun for all my passengers too."
Before and after the one-hour sky sail, you get hands-on, helping to inflate and deflate the gigantic air flyer.
Those worrywart parents need not fret in the hands of Captain Watson. He's flown thousands of passengers for more than 30 years and is currently ranked fifth in the nation from the Balloon Federation in America.
Rock Hard Mommas
Rock Hard Boot Camp, Grand Rapids
$250/month for six months
rockhardbootcamp.com, (616) 617-0603
Mommies, all of your energy goes to the well-being of your kids. This month, let Mother's Day begin a journey focused on you. Rock Hard Mommas is a six month program dedicated to your transformation inside and out.
Kandy Holmstrom, mother of three and founder of Rock Hard Boot Camp, glows with passion. Motivated by realizations during her own post-mommyhood transformation, Kandi combines the expertise of Rock Hard Boot Camp, AURA Skincare + Cosmetics, Design 1 Salon Day Spa, Wellspring Counseling, and Bengston Center for Plastic Surgery to become a nurturing family who takes care of you.
Besides setting up nutritional and fitness training, including boot camp classes available every morning and evening, four personal training sessions and weekly food logs, mommas redeem "Golden Tickets" for awesome freebies and exclusive discounts from affiliating businesses.
AURA Skincare + Cosmetics treats you to the "Fabulous in Five" skin care and makeup consultation. Design 1 Salon Day Spa pampers you with a free style and hair consultation focusing on looks best for you. Bengston Center for Plastic Surgery offers one complimentary service and a one-hour free consultation.
Kandi believes, "99% of the time, there is something on the inside that needs to be overcome in order to realize a breakthrough in true transformation," so a free half-hour counseling session with Mario Fransiscocty of Wellspring Counseling is mandatory within the first month of your journey.
Your mind and body wellness is not the only payoff for the program. To reward you for reaching your six-month goal; Rock Hard Mommas showers you with a prize package from each of the partners. Finish the process with a full hair and makeup makeover and an "after" photo shoot. "You become a whole new person," Holmstrom said.
Your first boot camp class is free, and your contract can continue after 6 months.
