Celebrate Polish Culture in GR

The 40th annual Polish Festival will be held at Rosa Parks Circle on Aug. 23, 24 and 25. The festival, co-sponsored by the Polish Heritage Society and the city of Grand Rapids, holds the title as the longest continuous festival in Grand Rapids. 

The festival weekend includes a packed schedule of music, cooking demos, competitions and more. Authentic Polish cuisine will be sold throughout the weekend.  

Proceeds go towards the YMCA and local scholarships from the Polish Heritage Society. Last year, two Grand Valley State University students received this scholarship. 

Dancing in the Park

All are welcome to join The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department in community fitness classes. On Aug. 23 at 7 p.m., instructors will be teaching the community the basics of Cuban-style salsa, Afro-Cuban rhythms, Casino and Rueda de Casino. 

This free dance lesson is a part of the city’s array of community fitness classes scheduled throughout the summer. In addition to salsa dancing the schedule includes various approaches to yoga, Zumba, Groove, SoulfulMOTION and tai chi. 

Dogs on the catwalk 

Join the Humane Society of West Michigan and community organizations at 20 Monroe Live at the event Woofstock: Peace, Love, Adoption. The event is open to all ages and begins at 4 p.m. Aug. 24. Admission is $10 per person.  

In a runway-style fashion, adoptable dogs in hope of finding a home will be introduced to the crowd. Vendors will be scattered throughout the lobby and food and drink will be sold at the venue. DJ Money Mike will be turning back time with Woodstock hits throughout the event.  

Breakaway in Grand Rapids

Breakaway Music Festival will be bringing artists in electric, hip hop and pop music to Belknap Park in Grand Rapids. The all-ages event will take place on Aug. 23 and 24.  The music festival’s performances include Kaskade, Wiz Khalifa, Louis the Child and more.  

Grand Rapids is just one city included in Breakaway’s multi-city music festival among cities in Ohio, The Carolinas and Tennessee. 

Fall Pie Tasting 

Moelker Orchards is hosting their Pie Flight Party for three days throughout the fall, where customers can purchase flights of Moelker Orchards’ pie.  Aug. 24 is the first day pie flights will be available, followed by Sept. 7 and Nov. 2.

A flight, which includes three samples, costs $5, while a round trip, which includes six samples, costs $9. Flavors available to sample include cherry crumble, apple, cherry berry, peach, blueberry and Dutch apple. All pies are made in the bakery from scratch. 

Food Truck Festivals

A popular way to feature an array of diverse food vendors, Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids and Riverside Park  will hold weekly food truck rallies.  

From May 7 to Aug. 28, Calder Plaza’s “Kickin’ it at Calder” features food trucks every Tuesday and Wednesday. The rotating food trucks will be in the plaza for lunch 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. 

Every Friday, May 10 to Oct. 4, Riverside Park hosts a variety of food trucks. Parking themselves just in time for dinner, the food trucks will be open 5-9 p.m.