Grand rising, West Michigan. Things are heating up along the lakeshore with plenty of festivals and live music offerings going on. Let's make the most of it and enjoy a perfect weekend outside.

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• Great Lakes Cruise Ships 🛳️ 

• Town Center Back On Market

• Holland Farmers Market Returns

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

Grand Haven Kite Festival This Weekend

The beach will be filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes for the festival. Stunt kite fliers will perform to music on the center flying field while giant kites hover to the south. Attendees can bring their own kite to fly on the open field or test out the newest kites on manufacturers' fields. The event is free to attend, but there is a parking fee for those without a recreational pass on their license plate tabs. The festival will take place on May 18 from 10am-5pm and May 19 from 11am-5pm, weather permitting. More details here.

The Great Lakes cruise ship industry is poised for continued growth

In 2024, the cruise ship season in Michigan is expected to be busy with close to 600 port visits and over 20,000 passengers, bringing an economic impact of $200 million. Seven port destinations in Michigan, including Muskegon, are anticipated to welcome 157 visits from nine ships. The Great Lakes cruise industry had a record-breaking year in 2023, with steady growth expected in the coming years. Construction on new cruise ships is ongoing, and efforts are being made to enhance infrastructure in ports like Bay City to accommodate cruise ships. The industry is targeting diverse demographics, including international tourists from the UK and German-speaking markets, to explore the rich history and scenic beauty of the Great Lakes region.

Holland Town Center back on Market

Holland Town Center is currently listed for sale for $5,417,550 and is 78.2% occupied. The development consists of four buildings on 18 acres of land and is located near Nelis’ Dutch Village. Major tenants include Planet Fitness and Carter's, along with The Lost City entertainment center. The center underwent a renovation in 2013 and was purchased by Edwards Realty Co. in 2017 for $3.6 million. Edwards Realty had plans to make the center a community gathering space, but those goals have not been fully realized. More info here.

@LAKESHORECURRENT

LOCAL BUSINESS

Ottawa County home sellers asking less for the month of April

In April, the median home price in Ottawa County was $477,450, showing a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to the previous month. The median square footage of homes for sale was 2,175, with an average price of $228 per square foot. Homes in Ottawa County typically sold within 37 days of being listed, with approximately 324 new homes hitting the market, marking a 17.4% increase from the previous year. Median home prices in the Holland metro area dropped slightly to $472,793, while Michigan saw an increase to $289,900. The national median home price was $429,950, as reported by Realtor.com for single-family homes, condos, and townhomes, excluding new construction and pending sales.

Holland Farmers Market returns

The Holland Farmers Market has returned to the Holland Civic Center on May 15, featuring over 75 local farmers, specialty food vendors, and food trucks offering fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and more. The market will be open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can expect early spring produce like asparagus and rhubarb, as well as changes to the market's branding and website. Bridge Cards, Pandemic EBT Cards, and Senior FRESH are accepted, and some vendors also accept WIC Cards. Children's activities will be offered starting on June 12, including story time and hands-on activities. More info here.

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN

Muskegon

Thursday - Music Trivia night at Wonderland Distillery 7-9pm

Free Thursdays at Muskegon Museum of Art

Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Friday - A Taste of Ireland at Frauenthal Center 730pm

Saturday - Holy Smokes BBQ Competition 4-7pm

Ride United 8-3pm

Fore Shore Adventure Run 8-1pm

Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Sweet Saturday at Lakeside Emporium 12-4pm

Sunday Lake Bluff Grille Mother’s Day Buffet 

Grand Haven

Thursday- Old Growth Forest Walk at Duncan Woods 5:45-7pm

Friday - Loutit Library Friday Manitee 6-830pm

Saturday- Best Fest in Fruitport 11:30-2:30pm

Farmers Market 8am-1pm

Jeep Fest 9-4pm

Kite Festival 10-5pm

Picnics and Parades: 100 Years of the Coast Guard Festival – Exhibit

Sunday - Kite Festival 11-5pm

Armed Service Marathon 8-2pm

Holland

Friday - Trumpeter Alphonso Horne with West Ottawa HS Jazz Bands 7pm

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 8-2pm

Yoga in the park Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway 8am

Sunday - Trivia night at New Holland Brewing 6pm

Tulip City United vs. United West F.C. 5pm

CAIN The Live & In Color Tour at Holland Civic Center Place 7pm

WEATHER

Thursday

70 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️  | 17% | 💨 SSE 9 mph (8 knots)

Friday

69 🌡️ 56 | ☁️ | 84% | 💨 SE 7 mph (6 knots)

Saturday

70 🌡️ 58 | ⛅️ | 80% | 💨 WSW 5 mph (4 knots)

Sunday

70 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ | 40% | 💨 WNW 9 mph (8 knots)

Monday

75 🌡️ 61 | ⛈️ | 96% | 💨 S 7 mph (6 knots)

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

The Deck I Rusty & The Razorblades I 5pm

Rake Beer Project I Eric Engblade I 7pm

Lucy’s I Michael Costello I 6pm

Grand Armory I Brian Fedenoa I 630pm

Park Theatre I Oliver Scott Draper & Lefty I 7pm

Friday

The Deck I Project 90 I 6pm

The Starlight Room I Tippsy Phuddled: Phish Tribute Experience I 7:30pm

Rake Beer Project I Lillian Faye Live I 7pm

Lotus Room I Classic Rock with Big Cadillac I 7pm

Lucy’s I Carl Webb I 7pm

Eagles 925 I Park Road Revival I 8pm

Odd side Ales I Nocturnal Lights I 8-11pm

Grand Armory I Ghosts on Maple I 6:30pm

Porto Bello I Tim Johnson I 6pm

Kirby House I Nate Holley I 9pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Rockshop I 9pm

Park Theatre I Mustard Plug, CaliKO & Dance Contraption I 7pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Rick I 9pm

Saturday

The Deck I Twice The Action I 6pm

Red Rooster Tavern I Smitten I 8pm

Fetch Brewing Company I Eric O'Daly I 7pm

Pincrest Bar & Lanes I Taproom Fix I 7pm

The Starlight Room I Citizen Keen I 7pm

Lucy’s I Chris Clayton Loop I 7pm

Eagles 925 I That Beatles Thing I 8pm

Grand Armory I Carl Webb Band I 630pm

Porto Bello I Katy Couch & The Lazy Boys I 6pm

Kirby House I Electric Flower Company I 9pm

Hops at 84 East I Vincent Hayes I 8pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Tony Thompson Band I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Rock Shop I 9pm

Sunday

The Deck I JP & The Energy I 4pm

Rake Beer Project I Bri Baron I 2pm

Lucy’s I Sax Sundays I 5-7pm

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5-730pm

Loutit Library Atrium I Sunday Concert Series: Jim Cooper I 2pm

SPORTS

Friday - Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks 9:40pm

Saturday - Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks 8:10pm

Sunday - Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks 4:10pm

Monday - Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals 7:40pm

Past results

Yesterday Detroit Tigers lost 0-2 to Miami Marlins

THANKS!

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