GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — On Aug. 23, an arts and music festival will welcome over 40 vendors and eight bands to Sullivan Field for a day of performances — all completely free.
“This is your invitation to see the Grand Rapids DIY art scene on its feet,” Lili Bulkowski, lead event organizer of Small Foreign Festival, said. “Everyone that’s worked on the festival and everyone that’s going to be there are seasoned in the community.”
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“Small Foreign Festival” is a new invention from West Michigan artist and musician Lili Bulkowski, though its name may sound familiar to some. Bulkowski’s former band — “Small Foreign Faction” — broke up around the summer of 2023, but not before hosting a final performance at Sullivan Field called “Small Foreign Farewell.”
“That went incredibly successfully,” Bulkowski said. “We had an absolutely astonishing response from the community. People had such an incredible time.”
Small Foreign Farewell had been an evening of live performances and some art vendors, but its surprise turnout and positive reception meant there could be much more for its future…