Downtown will be hopping this weekend!

[GRDadof3]

With Festival and other events going on this weekend in GR, downtown is going to be popping! In addition to Festival, there is a large statewide high school volleyball tournament this weekend at Devos Place, using up 1500 rooms around the metro. Summer's here!

No room at the inns

[NorthEnder]

With Festival and other events going on this weekend in GR, downtown is going to be popping! In addition to Festival, there is a large statewide high school volleyball tournament this weekend at Devos Place, using up 1500 rooms around the metro. Summer's here!

No room at the inns

[Rhino6885]

I just hope the rain can stay away to better showcase downtown. It's the most beautiful place when the sun is shining.

[Veloise]

...I wonder how a weekend like this translates into $$$ for some of the local downtown establishments, other than hotels.

[Explorer55]

Some maintain their regular hours (i.e. closed). Last year I was surprised to see the usual suspects on MC locked up, and casual tabletop vendors set up in front of their establishments.

[Raildudes dad]

Something is wrong with THAT picture! I'd sure be open, even if I had to get my grandmother, my cousins, and my ex-con neighbor to hustle tables, wash dishes, or do whatever to work my establishment for the weekend. What a great chance to market your food or business to people who otherwise might not be downtown.

[Veloise]

Something is wrong with THAT picture! I'd sure be open, even if I had to get my grandmother, my cousins, and my ex-con neighbor to hustle tables, wash dishes, or do whatever to work my establishment for the weekend. What a great chance to market your food or business to people who otherwise might not be downtown.

[Veloise]

Dang! Is there a slew of people downtown!

I got to discover Blake's Turkey, open until 8 pm today and tomorrow (closed Sunday). Never been here before--cool, comfy, plenty of seats, wifi in the corner window, quiet, no one bumping into anyone else.

Olive Express probably had a child custody run (Ann Arbor). Hopefully tomorrow.

Took pictures of those same aforementioned "we're closed" slackers. (How many potential customers walk past on a daily basis? How many times as many folks walked by just tonight? How many might have wandered in and looked over the merch, even if not buying something today, and come back for a holiday/occasion shopping trip? It's not like they have to do anything other than unlock the door and turn on the lights!)

Meanwhile, the place next to them (says SOUVENIRS in the window) has his door propped wide open, racks of sunglasses on the sidewalk. He's probably got a tub of cold drinks and 1 oz sunscreens too.

Too bad there's no signage or any identifying marks at the bookstore. With the Federal building stage closed, they've moved a tent to Fountain St almost out front of RB, so there is a huge happy population right there.

[GR_Urbanist]

Dang! Is there a slew of people downtown!

I got to discover Blake's Turkey, open until 8 pm today and tomorrow (closed Sunday). Never been here before--cool, comfy, plenty of seats, wifi in the corner window, quiet, no one bumping into anyone else.

[disconsolate]

I really can't wait for Festival the year there's alot less downtown construction and all those closed streets are open and we've subsequently more parking, and more town to traverse.

I'm excited in general for the cranes to leave the skyline and for our city to look as wonderful as it can.

[Rhino6885]

I went down last night and had a blast. Ran into a few friends, had some food, and watched La Famiglia rock it out. Nights like these make me love GR!

[mgreven]

I'm excited in general for the cranes to leave the skyline and for our city to look as wonderful as it can.

[Veloise]

Pics from last night:

We are open for business, and we're glad you're here!

Nuthin' to see here, keep moving...

Here neither.

Open! C'mon in!

This is the line almost out the door:

Make your own park:

Respite

Some sound techs pay $$$ for flashing colored lights. Our Faire City provides same for free (the red glow behind the banjo player turns green, then yellow)...

New out-there tent locale by the bookstore

EMS is open, too (just before I shot this, a kid was touring the facility)

Floor plan for Fox lofts

My dance stage in a few hours

[disconsolate]

I love Four Friends!

And you're right, I was thinking the same thing-- about needing more festivals in G.R.

I went to Festival last night and had a great time. What I love about Grand Rapids is that you can know at least thirty or so people there, and then meet thirty or so people once you get there and consider them friends by the end of it all.

[GRDadof3]

We didn't make it to Festival until this afternoon. We, along with several hundred others, tried to be good sports and weather the constant downpour of rain, but it became too much. Even a lot of the event tents were packing it up early. It's too bad too because we also REALLY need the rain.