Copyright M Live Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will hold its annual Cultural Heritage Festival this Saturday, Nov. 8, in celebration of the city’s rich history. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will feature music and dance performances, presentations, vendors, food, and more from over 30 organizations and individuals. Grand Rapids and its surrounding area have a rich tapestry of cultural traditions. These trace back to the Anishinaabek ancestors, through the era of fur traders, and into the contemporary cultural celebrations of today’s residents. The GRPM at 272 Pearl St. NW hosts the annual Cultural Heritage Festival to celebrate this heritage, bringing in cultural organizations throughout West Michigan to share their culture with the community. “We’re thrilled to welcome visitors back to the 2025 Cultural Heritage Festival!” said Rob Schuitema, director of public programs at the GRPM. “Every year, this vibrant festival brings us together and showcases the talents, traditions, and stories we each bring to our community.” Performers Euphoria A Capella Fashion Show by Arab American Intellectual Property Association Kalamazoo Scottish Country Dancers KPop Group Evolution Opera by Giovanna Rossini Traditional Mexican Dance by Mexico Mix Food Burek Etc LLC Dolce Mini Cakes Famz Food Catering Services The Jamaican Way Kaley’az Cafe Tamales Mary Tarriko Taqueria Taste of Africa Michigan LLC Taste of Love LLC Exhibitors and Vendors Arab American Intellectual Property Association ASSE International Student Exchange Program Brittany Benson Official Artwork D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s The Gaelic League/Irish-American Club of West Michigan A Glimpse of Africa Grand Rapids Latvian Association Grand Rapids Scottish Society Grand Rapids Sister Cities Guelaguetza Designs Korean Connection Lao Community of Michigan LouAnn Bryant MooZoo Slime Shop Polish Heritage Society Red Sea Beauty “Some organizations have been celebrating with us for many years, but we also have vendors, performers, and exhibitors joining us for the first time. We hope you will join us, too,” Schuitema added. Visitors to the GRPM also have the opportunity to explore a core exhibition with a primary focus on diversity and culture: “Newcomers: The People of This Place,” which highlights the cultural groups that have settled in the Grand Rapids area. At this time, the museum’s other cultural exhibit, “Anishinabek: The People of This Place,” is undergoing renovations. Anishinaabe stories are still present through the Michigan Map, three massive murals by Anishinaabe artists and a seasonal display case on the third floor. The Cultural Heritage Festival is included with general admission to the museum. Kent County kids enjoy free entry, while Kent County adults receive reduced admission every day.
