Grand Rapids just lost one of its longest-running and most beloved events, Festival of the Arts.
After 55 years, the festival announced its end, citing financial struggles and volunteer burnout. It’s a huge loss for the city and a wake-up call for anyone who loves the events that make Grand Rapids so special.
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If you enjoy LaughFest, World of Winter, or any of the countless street fairs and cultural festivals we take for granted that happen every year in Grand Rapids, then it’s time for you to ask yourself: Who’s actually making these happen? Spoiler alert—it’s not magic. These events rely on community support, and without people stepping up to volunteer or donate, they won’t last.
The truth is, festivals aren’t free to run, even if they’re free to attend. They need funding, people behind the scenes to plan it all, and a whole army of volunteers to pull those festivals off. Festival of the Arts didn’t disappear because people stopped loving it. It disappeared because too few people were willing or able to help keep it alive. And that’s just heartbreaking to hear…