New Music and Art Festival Celebrating Grand River is This Saturday in Grand Rapids

There's a new festival in town!

Grand Rapids' First RE(TURN) to the River Festival is August 27, 2022

This Saturday, August 27th is the inaugural  RE(TURN) to the River festival in Grand Rapids, celebrating the Grand River.

There are three locations at which folks can enjoy circus performers, food trucks, art, games, music, and more along the Grand River.

Return to the River is taking place at 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park, and Canal Park August 27, noon to 10p.m.

Organizer Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.(DGRI) says,

We highly encourage the use of the River Walk to get you from one park to the next, as there will be more performers, art and interactive activities you can participate in along the way.
This celebration will highlight the beautiful public spaces along the Grand River as our community continues to reimagine what our City’s namesake rapids will become.

Performers at Canal Park on Saturday include:

• Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation,
• Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan
• Motherland House Concerts

DGRI will be announcing more schedule, entertainment, and activity information soon. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

They have shared that awesome art canopies from LunoSol Design will be at every site for a place to sit and hang out.

Also, BLVisuals will be doing body marbling and Lilith's Lair GR will be doing body/hair glitter at the Re(turn) to the River festival!

Grand River Walking Tours

Return to the River also includes free historic Grand River Walking Tours that will all start at 555 Monroe at 1:00 pm, 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.

DGRI says,

Have you noticed the name of our city includes the word, Rapids? Well, no one alive today, or their grandparents has witnessed our namesake rapids.
They disappeared in the later part of the 1800’s…they represent nothing more than a legend…and a DREAM…come true.
In 2022, work begins to restore the natural rapids in the Grand River. Learn more about Grand Rapids Whitewater, the river, furniture making, a historic bridge, and a fish ladder in the Monroe North neighborhood.

 

The project to restore the rapids on the Grand River is underway. In connection with restoring the rapids, the riverfront redevelopment plan includes recreational areas, housing, and a 12,000 seat outdoor amphitheater along Market Street just south of the US 131 S-curve.