Here are some fun things going on this weekend…..Where You Live!
Butterflies are Blooming
Now through Saturday, April 30
Frederik Meijer Gardens – Grand Rapids www.meijergardens.org
See over 6,000 beautiful butterflies flying freely inside the Garden’s botanical garden.
HPA Presents “Annie”
Thursday, March 4 through Saturday, March 6
Caledonia High School Fine Arts Center www.hpami.org
The Homeschool Performing Arts is putting on “Annie.” This production is made up of over 100 homeschoolers from West Michigan. Tickets are $7.50 in advance or $8.50 at the door.
West Michigan Home and Garden Show
Thursday, March 4 through Sunday, March 7
DeVos Place – Grand Rapids www.showspan.com
Start thinking spring with the Home and Garden show. Attend free seminars and visit over 350 booths with home and garden information.
Welcome Back Party!
Saturday, March 6 from 10am-2pm
John Ball Zoo – Grand Rapids www.johnballzoosociety.org
The John Ball Zoo is officially back open and they’re celebrating! Come out for special events and activities. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $3.00 for kids 3-13 years old and kids under two are free.
Sugarbush Festival
Saturday, March 6 at 10am
Blandford Nature Center – Grand Rapids www.blandfordnaturecenter.org
Learn about traditional and contemporary means of maple syrup making! From tapping to bottling to sampling this all-natural treat. Get in touch with nature and hike the trails while you’re there. Cost is $3 per person.
Come splash, slide and swim at the Holland Aquatic Center on Monday, February 15! It’s a special mid-winter break family pool party and you’re invited! From 1-8:30 p.m. your whole family can slide down the water slides, float in the whirlpool, climb the obstacle course and swim in the pools for just $11.50! That’s the price for the entire family!!! I’ll be there from 2-4 p.m. with games and prizes! It’s a great way to get the family playing, moving and having fun together. And one of my favorite parts-it’s always 84 degrees at the Holland Aquatic Center!
Posted Feb 4th 2010 2:33 PM by Jamie Allen
Filed under: Events
Here are some fun events going on this weekend…..Where You Live!
Icebreaker Festival
Friday, February 5 through Sunday, February 7
Downtown South Haven www.southhaven.org
Watch over 50 blocks of ice become transformed into works of art!
Ethnic Heritage Festival
Saturday, February 6 from 9am-5pm
Public Museum of Grand Rapids www.grmuseum.org
Admission is free for this fun cultural event. Come out for music, dance, crafts and food from various ethnic groups that call West Michigan home.
Kiss A Frog Valentines Party
Saturday, February 6 from 1-3pm
John Ball Zoo www.johnballzoosociety.org
This princess and pirate themed party is great for kids of all ages. Kids can dress up in costume, enjoy storytelling and touch real frogs from the John Ball Zoo’s collection.
2nd Annual Snow Bash
Saturday, February 6
Fremont Market Place – Fremont www.fremontcommerce.com
This annual event will have snowmobile races, a snow sculpture contest, chili cook off and more.
Free First Sunday Events
Sunday, February 7 from Noon-5pm
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum www.grcm.org
This Sunday the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is offering free admission!
Join me for our first Facebook Fan party of the year! I’ll be at Craig’s Cruisers in Grand Rapids (5730 Clyde Park SW) on Friday, January 15th from 6-7 p.m. and Craig’s has an amazing offer-FREE All-You-Can-Eat Pizza, Pasta and Salad Bar for each Facebook Fan! Is that incredible or what!? The offer is good for the first 300 fans. Not a fan, log on to Facebook and become one: facebook.com/marandatv. Print out the coupon on Facebook and bring it along! See you there!
It’s winter break for kids around West Michigan and that means time for family fun! Here are some family activities going on the next two weeks.
Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle
Now through the winter season
Rose Parks Circle – Downtown Grand Rapids
The rink is open daily until 9:30pm. Skating is $1 and rentals are free! Bring the whole family out for a cheap activity everyone will enjoy.
Free Admission to the AirZoo
Now through Thursday, December 31
AirZoo – Kalamazoo www.airzoo.org
Explore the world of aviation for totally free!
Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World
Now through Sunday, January 10
Frederik Meijer Gardens – Grand Rapids www.meijergardens.org
Learn about holiday traditions celebrated around the globe. Plus, enjoy horse drawn carriage rides around the grounds on specific nights.
Night at Your Museum
Sunday, December 27 from 6-9pm
Public Museum of Grand Rapids www.grmuseum.org or 616-456-3977
Grab a flashlight and explore the dimly-lit Museum as drama unfolds and exhibits come to life. Call ahead because reservations are required.
Posted Dec 10th 2009 10:32 AM by Jamie Allen
Filed under: Events
Here are some fun holiday events happening around West Michigan this weekend. Keep warm and have fun!
The Nutcracker
Friday, December 11 through Saturday, December 19
DeVos Performance Hall – Grand Rapids www.grballet.org
Tonight is the opening of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker.” Bring the whole family out to celebrate the season with this timeless classic.
The Santa Train
Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
Coopersville Marne Railway – Coopersville www.coopersvilleandmarne.org
Take a train ride with Santa and his elves! Hear the story the Polar Express, drink hot cocoa and more.
Cinderella
Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre www.grct.org
Watch this children’s fairy tale come to life on the stage!
The Grand Rapids Ballet will open “The Nutcracker” this weekend at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. I’m excited to partner with them on all kinds of special activities! Friday night I have the honor of being a guest, “Mother Ginger”-I’m excited and nervous to play this role! Then, this weekend on “Where You Live” we’ll take you behind the scenes of the production for all kinds of backstage fun! On Sunday there’s a special “Clara’s Nutcracker Benefit” at the Amway and the Sunday evening performance with our 100 winners and their guests!
There’s still time to save on Nutcracker tickets! December 8-10 The Grand Rapids Ballet is offering a special Maranda Rate! Call the Ballet Box Office at 616/454-4771 x10 and mention the password Maranda to receive Buy-One-Get-One FREE ticket to the Thursday, Dec. 17th show. You can also get Buy-One-Get-One Half off on other evening shows. Call the Ballet for complete details.
This is a such a great holiday tradition for many families! I’d love hear why the Nutcracker is special to you!
The holiday season is upon us and there are tons of fun parades and family events going on this weekend. Here are some of my recommendations.
GRAM Tree Lighting
Friday, December 4 at 5:30pm
Rosa Park’s Circle – Grand Rapids www.artmuseumgr.org
Join in this yearly tradition, as the Grand Rapids Art Museum lights their 40 foot Christmas tree and the ice rink at Rosa Park’s Circle opens for the season.
Sinterklass Eve Parade
Friday, December 4 at 7pm
Downtown Holland www.downtownholland.com
In true Dutch folk tradition, Sinterklass will arrive on his great white horse and greet families downtown Holland.
Annual Coopersville Santa Claus Parade
Friday, December 4 at 7pm
Main Street – Downtown Coopersville www.coopersville.com
Professional and amateur floats will travel the streets of downtown Coopersville. Afterwards kids can visit with Santa and enjoy free refreshments.
18th Annual Christmas through Lowell
Friday, November 20 through Sunday, November 22
Downtown Lowell www.lowellchamber.org
There will be over 200 artists and crafters displaying their wares. Plus, local businesses will be open with special holiday deals!
Cinderella the Musical
Friday, November 20 through Sunday, December 20
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre www.grct.org
Kids will love this fairy tale as it comes to life on the stage. Great for all ages!
Grand Rapids Jaycees Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 21 at 9:00am
Downtown Grand Rapids www.grjaycees.org
Maranda will be leading this year’s parade as the Grand Marshal. Come downtown and watch the parade and enjoy special festivities at Rosa Parks Circle afterwards.
Posted Oct 22nd 2009 9:39 AM by Jamie Allen
Filed under: Events
Here are Maranda’s top picks for family fun this weekend. If you have something cool happening in your neighborhood this weekend, we’d love to hear about it!
Zoo Goes Boo
Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24
John Ball Zoo – Grand Rapids www.johnballzoosociety.org
This is the final weekend for the Zoo Goes Boo event! Bring the kids in costume for trick-or-treating, crafts, games, giveaways and more.
Captain Louie!
Friday, October 23 through October 31
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre www.grtc.org
This musical will get your kid’s imaginations running wild as they take a plane ride with Louie.
Meijer Gluten Free Information Day
Saturday, October 24 from 10am-1pm
All Meijer Stores www.meijermealbox.com/healthy-living
If you have children with gluten allergies, you’ll want to attend this event! All Meijer stores are hosting a gluten free information day on Saturday. This excludes the 28th St. & Kalamazoo store in Grand Rapids.
Creatures of the Night
Saturday, October 24 from 4-7pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center www.naturecenter.org
Kids can dress in costume, collect treats, make a craft, hear stories in the forest and gather around the campfire for cider and snacks.
