Events

Maranda’s Family Fun Update

Here are some fun events happening this weekend…..Where You Live!

Reduced Zoo Admission Day!
Friday, August 27
John Ball Zoo
www.johnballzoosociety.org
Visit the zoo today and get $2 off your price of admission.

Movies in the Park
Friday, August 27 at 8:30pm
Collins Park – East Grand Rapids
www.eastgr.org
Tonight pack up the blankets and head to Collins Park for a free outdoor showing of the movie “Up.”

West Michigan Whitecaps Games
Friday, August 27 & Saturday, August 28
Fifth Third Ballpark – Comstock Park
www.whitecaps-baseball.com
The Whitecaps play at 7pm both nights.  Don’t forget the fireworks after Saturday night’s game!

33rd Annual Hastings Summerfest
Friday, August 27 through Sunday, August 29
Downtown Hastings
www.barrychamber.com
There’s something for everyone in the family at Summerfest!  Enjoy arts and crafts, a children’s parade, basketball tournament, live entertainment and more.

2010 Grand Rapids Film Festival
Friday, August 27 through Sunday, August 29
Celebration Cinema North – Grand Rapids
www.grfilmfestival.com
Various films will be playing through out the weekend.  Get the complete schedule of events online.

Final Park Party of the Summer!!

It’s so hard to believe that on Thursday, July 29th we’ll be hosting our final Park Party of 2010!  It’s been an amazing summer so far and I can’t wait to head out to the Allegan County Fairgrounds for an afternoon of FREE fun!  Once again we’ve really spread things out so there’s plenty of room for everything and everyone!   The new features we have added to this year’s events including “Last in Line” signs, more activities, more space, more entertainment and more vendors has really made a big difference.   If you haven’t had the chance to join us for a Park Party yet this year this is your last chance!  Free lunches start at 11:30 for anyone under 18 and Park Party fun goes from noon – 2 p.m.  I’m looking forward to meeting you on Thursday!

Heading to Kalamazoo!

On Thursday, July 22nd the Park Party team will bring the party to Upjohn Park in Kalamazoo!  The park is located at 1018 Walter Street on the corner of Walter and Crosstown Pkwy.  It’s a beautiful park with a boundless playground, basketball court, skate park and swimming pool!  Plus, huge green space for all our activities.   Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 for anyone under 18 and Park Party fun will roll from noon – 2 p.m.  It’s the fifth Park Party of the summer and I hope to see you there!!

Park Party Coming to Holland

The next Park Party of the summer takes place at Kollen Park in Holland on July 15th!  This party is often one of our largest and we’re looking forward to a great turn out and a great time!  The forecast shows hot and humid so be sure to bring a water bottle for everyone in the family and a lot of sunscreen!  There’s also a slight chance of rain but remember our Park Parties go on rain or shine.  Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. for anyone 18 or younger.  Then, Park Party action takes place from noon – 2 p.m.  We have a full stage of wonderful local kid entertainment.  We also have great Produce for Kids from Meijer, the Fifth Third Super Slide, Pine Rest Ropes Course, Ferris State University Climbing Wall and more! Priority Health will have FREE backpacks for the kids!  My friends from the Holland Aquatic Center will be at this party with special fun for kids too!!  Hope to see you and your family Thursday at Kollen Park!

Ready to Rock Barry County!!

We’re busy planning, packing and preparing for the third Park Party of the summer!  On Thursday, July 8th we’ll be heading to the Barry Expo Center on M-37 between Middleville and Hastings.  Free lunches for kids 18 and under will be available starting at 11:30 and all our activities and entertainment will go from noon – 2 p.m.   I’m excited for this event because we’ve never held a Park Party in this community before.    Of course we’ll have all the free items like the Priority Health backpacks, the Country Fresh Ice Cream, the Meijer treats and more.  Plus, great activities like the Pine Rest Ropes Course, the Fifth Third Super Slide and the Ferris State University Climbing Wall.  We’ll also have some extra special surprises for kids!  I hope to see you and your family this Thursday at the Barry Expo Center!

Next Park Party In Wyoming

On Thursday, July 1st we’ll host our second Park Party of the summer at Lamar Park in Wyoming!  It’s a beautiful park and we’re excited to offer an afternoon of free family there!  A few highlights-Craig’s Cruisers will give 5,000 go kart rides away at tomorrow’s event!!!   Goodwill Industries will be collecting gently used items-bring a bag of goodies and we’ll give you an Entertainment Book.   This park also features a super sweet Splash Pad for kids.   Free lunches will be served to anyone 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m. and the party will begin at noon.

Come out and enjoy an afternoon of FREE Fun!!!

First Park Party of The Summer

I’m so excited for the first Park Party of the summer taking place Thursday, June 24th at the Cedar Springs Public School Complex!   The event takes place from noon – 2 p.m. and free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 to anyone 18 or younger.   The best place to park for this event is at Cedar Springs High School.  A shuttle bus will be available between the high school and the party site.   Bring a bag or two of gently used or new items, donate the goods to Goodwill Industries and you’ll get a 2010 Entertainment Book-while supplies last.  I’d also suggest you bring water and sunscreen because Storm Team 8 is forecasting nice, sunny skies!    Hope to see you and your family on Thursday at the first Park Party of the Summer!

2010 Park Parties Are Almost Here!

Maranda’s Park Parties are almost here!  Take a look at what you can expect this summer.

Summer Reading Club 2010

The 2010 Summer Reading Club has officially kicked off at libraries around West Michigan!  The six week campaign encourages kids to read all summer long!  Simply visit your local library, sign up for the club and get reading!

This year we’ve partnered with great organizations to provide fun prizes for readers including Meijer, The Holland Aquatic Center, The John Ball Zoo, Avalanche Bay and the West Michigan Whitecaps!!   Kids will even have the chance to win a trip for four to New York City.

Get to your local library, sign up for the Summer Reading Club and get reading!!

:60 STAR!

See if you can win it in a minute!!  This summer I’m thrilled to once again partner with Tommy and Brook of STAR 105.7 to bring some extra special FUN to our Park Parties!  Tommy and Brook are looking for people who want to be a sixty second star by playing crazy games on stage.  Win the game and you’ll win a family get-away to Avalanche Bay!  Get a fifty dollar gift to Celebration Cinema just for trying!  Find out all the details at www.westmichiganstar.com and watch for their TV spot on WOOD TV and WOTV 4. “http://www.westmichiganstar.com/pages/tommyandbrook.html”>