June 4-6
festivalgr.org, (616) 459-1300

Grand Rapids is well-known for its slew of summer festivals, from Avenue of the Arts to Celebration on the Grand. Festival of the Arts came before all of those. In its 41st year, Festival, which takes place in downtown Grand Rapids, is one of Michigan's longest running and largest events celebrating the arts.

Of the activities planned for this year, Festival boasts its usual array of arts, entertainment, and food. However, this year's organizers, Stephanie Bergsman and Kim VandenBerg, have got some treats prepared for festival-goers.

"We have new artists coming into the art sales tent. One is our poster artist, Reb Roberts, who is going to be having a booth," Bergman said.

Roberts joins the group of elite who have designed the Festival poster, along with collaborator Robert Neumann.

"[For the] opening ceremony, we're bringing all sorts of cultural groups from downtown," Bergsman said. "Among them are The Academy of Arts, the UICA, and Avenue of Arts, all with some visual pieces, a Mexican heritage youth dance group, and a group called WaZoBia, which is a predominantly percussion African group."

This year, Festival is boasting some new food booths in addition to last year's selections of American, vegetarian, Dutch, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, Bosnian, Asian, Greek, Polish, and Indian. In total, there will be 29 booths to choose from.

The ceremony is scheduled for noon on Friday, June 4 with Mayor George Heartwell scheduled to be present at the production.

"There will be an encore performance at 7 p.m. for those who missed the one in the afternoon," Bergsman said.

This huge opening performance is only a slice of the weekend's festivities, including local musicians of all genres, dance and kid's activities.

Everything, with the exception of food and art purchases, is free.