GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Downtown Grand Rapids transformed its riverfront into a magical wonderland for the fourth annual Return to the River festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, featuring live music, art installations and family activities.
The free event will continue through Sunday, Aug. 24. The festival spans multiple locations including the riverwalk, 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park and Sixth Street Bridge.
This year’s festival created by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., embraced a magical and mythical theme, with dragons, unicorns, wizards and fairies incorporated throughout the festivities.
Kalamazoo natives, The Go Rounds, headlined Saturday evening on the Sixth Street Park Stage with their cosmic Americana tunes.
On the 555 Monroe Stage, L.A.-based electronic artist The Glitch Mob closed out the evening to a sea of people.
The two-day celebration features more than 25 DJs and bands performing across two stages, three large-scale interactive art installations and over 20 local and regional food trucks.
Families enjoyed numerous free activities including crown-making sessions at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum booth, free books from local retailers, body marbling demonstrations from Black Light Visuals, face painting and cotton candy. A special puppy petting zone, hosted by the Humane Society of West Michigan, was set up on Saturday.
Earlier performances included acts like WM Assamese Cultural Community, Kevin Jones & Tenth World and Nathan Walton & the Remedy…