GR’s Festival of the Arts Bids Farewell After 55 Years
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Festival of the Arts Is Ending—And We’re Not Ready to Say Goodbye
It’s the news we never thought we’d hear—Festival of the Arts is closing after 55 incredible years. Announced just today, this news is a shocker. This iconic event, which has been a cornerstone of downtown Grand Rapids, is sunsetting effective immediately.
The News is Still Sinking In
Core memories, indeed. It’s hard to imagine summers without Festival. For those of us who have wandered Calder Plaza every June, brushing elbows with local artists, picking up brushes of our own, marveling at the local dance and vocal talent, and digging into more gyros, egg rolls, and kettle corn than we’d ever admit, this is a loss and it’s going to take time to process.
The Festival made history back in 1970 as the first arts festival in West Michigan, inspired by the installation of Alexander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse just a year earlier. The mission? To highlight all forms of art and make performances and activities free for everyone. Over the years, it became a hub for artists, art lovers, and the community.
Executive Director Missy Summers put it best:
“You don’t put on an event the size of Festival without cooperation from the City of Grand Rapids, generosity of the community, and tireless work from volunteers. While we are sad to say goodbye, it is heartwarming to see the impact it has had on our community.”
Festival wasn’t just an event; it was the event.
It was the unofficial start of summer in Grand Rapids—the weekend that, even though it rained on the event most years, ushered in the transition to summer’s sunny days by filling the streets with with music, art, and food.
Over the decades, Festival paved the way for Grand Rapids’ thriving arts and culture scene. Events like the Asian-Pacific Festival, Polish Festival, Hispanic Festival, and Yassou (Greek) Festival all grew out of this shared commitment to celebrating diverse cultures. Even more recently, community gatherings like World of Winter and Eastown Street Fair have carried on the spirit of connection and creativity that Festival sparked.
Festival of the Arts: What We’ll Miss Most
With the Festival of the Arts calling it quits, there’s gonna be a big, colorful hole in the heart of Grand Rapids.
Here’s a look at what we’ll miss the most.
The Paint-In Tradition
If you’ve ever watched your kids at Paint In at Festival, you know the magic of the Paint-In. Rows of panels transformed into art—everyone became an artist here. It was a tradition: grabbing a paintbrush, splashing some color, and stepping back to see the collective magic.
Food Booth Frenzy
Where else could you sample every corner of the world—from smoky Polish kielbasa to crispy lumpia to fresh-squeezed lemonade—
Let’s be honest—the food was a festival in itself. International cuisine packed into rows of tents meant you could travel the globe in one afternoon. Lumpia? Check. Gyros? Of course. Elephant ears? Absolutely. The food booths were a reason to bring your appetite, your stretchy pants, and maybe a second helping of whatever smelled amazing as you walked by.
Live Performances, Non-Stop
The stages scattered around downtown were always alive. Local bands, dance troupes, poetry slams, school choirs—you never knew what you’d stumble upon, but you could count on it being good. And it wasn’t just entertainment; it was a showcase of the talent, passion, and diversity that make Grand Rapids so special.
Shopping Local, Festival Style
Rows of artisan booths were the perfect place to find handcrafted treasures. Jewelry, pottery, paintings—you name it, you could probably find it. Supporting local makers felt like a win-win: you left with something one-of-a-kind, and they left with your support.
It’s bittersweet, but we are so thankful to everyone who made it what it was—an unforgettable celebration of art for all.
Community Reactions
As you might expect, the Festival’s Facebook page is flooded with heartfelt reactions. Longtime attendee Haley DeVries summed up the sentiment: “Oh no, this is one I looked forward to every year, more than ArtPrize even. Definitely deserves a proper send-off though, not just done and gone!”
For many, Festival was a family tradition. “I have core memories with my mom spending the first weekend of summer at Festival,” wrote Cali Lipscomb. Lisa Ryan DeMeester added, “As a child, I twirled baton at Festival. As an adult, I brought my kids every year. This has been part of our lives for decades.”
Some are even calling for one last celebration. “This festival has meant so much to so many of us. Can we come together for one final farewell?” asked Jazzalyn Johnson.
The overwhelming response is a mix of sadness and gratitude. “The entertainment and the food were the best! Thanks for the memories!” wrote Debbie Jones. While people are heartbroken, one thing is clear: Festival of the Arts will always have a special place in Grand Rapids’ history.
Thank you for the memories, Festival. You made it amazing.
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