Museum kicks off Summer Saturdays with riverfront celebration

ArtEducation

Jun 8

Written By Staff

Summer Saturdays are back at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), offering extra fun with history, science, and culture nearly every Saturday during summer. The programs will start on Saturday, June 13, with a celebration of the Museum’s new public riverfront space and end with the fourth annual Grand River Adventure, where visitors can discover the wonders of our watershed.

“The GRPM has so much to offer our community,” said Rob Schuitema, Director of Public Programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “These Saturday programs allow us to dig deeper into topics, uplift our community partners, and give guests of all ages something unique to do on the weekend. At Summer Saturdays, you can discover a fun hobby, meet friends who share your interests, or learn something totally new.”

The first Summer Saturday, a celebration of the riverfront, takes place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on June 13 and will introduce visitors to the GRPM’s public space with direct access to the Grand River. The area includes access to the renovated Cook Carousel Pavilion, a stunning view of downtown, an outdoor classroom space, and more.

All activities on the riverfront, accessible via Pearl Street, will be free to the public. No ticket is required. Admission tickets will be required to enter the Museum.

Activities that require Museum admission will include a Grand River discovery hunt, solar telescopes, button making, discovery carts with artifacts and specimens from the Collections, watershed diorama crafts, and fish windsock decorating.

Outside activities include geology talks with Science Curator, Dr. Cory Redman, and the Grand Valley State University Rocks and Minerals Club, bug tanks, river ecology education, drawing with Urban Sketchers, and live music.

The following food vendors will also be on-site with food available for purchase: The Jamaican Way, Tarriko Taqueria, Burek Etc., Taste of Africa, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and PAC Pizzeria. Thanks to a generous donation, all Carousel rides will be FREE on June 13. Guests can reserve their tickets online.

Summer Saturdays will continue through August 15, offering hands-on activities, dynamic demonstrations, guided tours, and more.

June 13 – Riverfront Grand Opening
June 20 – Unseen Oceans
June 27- Celebrating the Grand River Watershed and USA at 250
July 11 – Birds of the Great Lakes
July 20 – Exploring the Deep
July 27 – A Celebration of Music and Dance
August 1 – Riverside Art
August 8 – STEAM Day
August 15 – Grand River Adventure

When guests visit for Summer Saturdays, they can also explore three floors of exhibits, including The Game Garden. This family-friendly space is full of giant versions of classic games from Operation to Yahtzee. Before playing, they can learn the game's history, including the inventor, the year of creation, and more. The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will play a full schedule of shows every hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting June 8.

Kent County Kids get in free every day, with free parking for Kent County Residents. For more information, visit www.grpm.org

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