Grand rising, West Michigan. Good news, the events and live music are picking up along the lakeshore. That can only mean one thing… it’s almost summertime! 🌞 🩴 

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• GH Kite Festival 🪁 

• Play Muskegon ☕️ 

• Jeep Fest 🚘️ 

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

Jeep Fest

This weekend, Grand Haven will host its annual Jeep Fest, featuring hundreds of Jeeps lining Washington Street. The festival begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, coinciding with the global Barricade Go Topless Day for Jeep enthusiasts. Attendees can admire a diverse range of Jeeps, from classic models to the latest releases, and enjoy live music alongside local food vendors.

Highlights include obstacle courses and the Show and Shine competition, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County, addressing child abuse issues in the area. Jason Rogers, the festival director, emphasizes the event’s spirit of community and support for a vital cause. New this year, a kid's night on Friday, May 16, will feature activities like face painting and a rubber duck scavenger hunt, making the festival even more family-friendly. More info here.

Tulip Time Festival Featured On The Today Show

Holland's Tulip Time Festival, showcasing nearly six million tulips, was featured on the Today Show's Sunday Spotlight for Mother's Day, highlighting the town's vibrant spring atmosphere. The festival transforms Holland's population from 34,000 to over 500,000 as visitors enjoy colorful blooms and cultural celebrations. Executive Director Gwen Auwerda noted several sold-out events, expecting record attendance this year with perfect tulip displays.

The festival, now in its 96th year, also ranked fifth on USA Today’s flower festival list for the second consecutive year. It celebrates Dutch heritage with music, dancing, artisan markets, and parades, marking a significant $48 million summer kickoff for the community. This year, the festival received the prestigious World Tulip Lifetime Achievement Award for its dedication to promoting tulips globally. The Today Show highlighted scenes from Windmill Island and the lively parades, showcasing Holland's rich cultural traditions and vibrant floral displays. You can watch the video here.

Kite Festival This Weekend

Experience the thrill of the Grand Haven Kite Festival, where whales, aliens, and dinosaurs will soar over the Lake Michigan shoreline! Join us on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grand Haven State Park. Witness stunning performances by world-famous stunt kite fliers and see kites larger than school buses take flight, creating a photographer's paradise. Colorful individual and team displays will dazzle the sky with synchronized aerial shows, while giant kites will be showcased on the ground for closer inspection. Visitors are welcome to bring their own kites to fly in designated areas. Enjoy special discounts on kites at downtown MACkite, and remember, dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Admission is free, with parking available via a state park passport or a $9 day pass. Support the festival through donations on their GoFundMe page!

Local Business

Play Muskegon Opens Today

A new children’s play space, Play Muskegon, will open on Thursday, May 15, at 280 W. Muskegon Ave. The grand opening will feature snacks, food trucks, and beverages from the Play Muskegon Café. Families can enjoy free classes from 8:30 a.m. to noon, including Zumbini and Discover Dance. A community celebration from 1-4 p.m. will offer interactive activities and prizes. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, for business and community leaders, will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Play Muskegon, designed for children ages 6 and under, includes themed play areas and is part of a renovated multi-use space.

Marriott Downtown GH Clears First Hurdle

The Grand Haven Planning Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of a downtown site for a new hotel on May 13. A five-story, 128-room Residence Inn by Marriott is proposed for 233 Washington Avenue, adjacent to Jumpin Java. Developers 6PM Hospitality Partners and BDR Custom Homes seek to rezone the site from Central Business District to Planned Development District due to its height exceeding the four-story limit. Concerns were raised about parking and traffic during public hearings, but local business owners expressed excitement for increased tourism. The hotel aims to create 30 full-time jobs and is projected to open by 2027, pending City Council approval.

SPONSORED BY SIMULATOR CONSULTANTS

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN

MUSKEGON

Thursday - Beachwood Park - Community Game Nights: Free Outdoor Fun in Muskegon Parks 6-8pm

Wonderland Distillery - Movie Trivia Night 7pm

Muskegon Museum of Art - Free Thursdays 11am-8pm

Friday - Lotus Room - Comedy Night 8pm

Muskegon Boat Life Adelaide Pointe Boat Show 10am-9pm

Saturday - Winter Farmers Market 9am-2pm

Pere Marquette Beach - 10th Annual ForeShore Adventure Run 8am-1pm

Michillinda Lodge - 6th Annual Vintage, Arts, and Craft Show 9am-3pm

Muskegon Boat Life Adelaide Pointe Boat Show 10am-9pm

Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore - 10th Annual Great Futures Gala 6-11pm

Sunday - Muskegon Boat Life Adelaide Pointe Boat Show 10am-9pm

Pigeon Hill - Euchre Sundays 2pm

Monday - Valkyrie - Movie Trivia Night 7pm

GRAND HAVEN

Thursday- Grand Armory Live Music 6:30pm

Lucy’s Ladies Night

Friday- Odd Side Live Music 8pm

Saturday- Chinook Pier - Farmers Market 8-1pm

Downtown - Grand Haven Jeep Fest 2025 9am-4pm

State Park Beach- The Kite Festival at Grand Haven 10am-5pm

Downtown - Jeepfest After Party 6-9pm

Trillium Event Center - Prom With Purpose 5-9pm

Sunday - State Park Beach- The Kite Festival at Grand Haven 10am-5pm

Odd Side Ales - The Sunday Shakedown 5-7:30pm

Monday - Odd side - Pub Trivia Night

HOLLAND

Thursday - Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

Park Theatre - Comedian Rodney Norman 7:30pm

Friday - Hemlock Crossing - Public Star Gazing 8-10pm

Tanglewood Winery - Grayson Barton Music + Food Truck 5-8pm

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 9am-1pm

Holland Aquatic Center - Community Wellness Fair 10am-2pm

Sunday - Park Theatre - Open Mic Night Jr: Kids + Teens 5:30-9pm

WEATHER

Thursday

84 🌡️ 56 | ⛅️ |

Friday

80 🌡️ 52 | ⛅️ |

Saturday

57🌡️ 47 | 🌤️ |

Sunday

55 🌡️ 41 | 🌤️ |

Monday

62 🌡️ 43 | ☀️ |

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

Grand Armory I Gabrial James I 6:30pm

Sandy Point I BPM Jazz I 6pm

Friday

The Deck I Killer Flamingos I 6pm

Grand Armory I Lynn and Ian the Moonshine Runners I 6:30pm

Lucys I Chris Clayton I 6pm

Sandy Point I Randy Johnson I 6pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Off The Ledge I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Silentbark I 8pm

Saturday

The Deck I Jake Stevens I 4pm

Grand Armory I Ryan Lynch and the Mixed Notions I 6:30pm

Lucys I John Voelz I 3:30pm

Lucys I John Hayes I 7pm

Kirby I 10 Years Late I 9pm

Sandy Point I Bryan Hammond I 6pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Judo Chop I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Klay N The Mud I 8pm

Sunday

Sandbar Muskegon I Kindred I 4pm

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5pm

Sandy Point I Rory McCallan I 6pm

SPORTS

Friday- Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm

Saturday- Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays 3:07pm

Sunday- Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays 1:37pm

Monday- Detroit Tigers at Saint Louis Cardinals 7:45pm

THANKS!

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