Taxidermy, Taylor Swift and lots of fun: What to do in West Michigan this weekend

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Get ready, West Michigan, because there are so many different ways to enjoy your weekend no matter where you are.

Here’s a look at what you can do the weekend of July 12th:

Cannabis Festival 2024

Baldwin, Michigan is the location for the Third Annual Cannabash.

The cannabis and music festival will welcome a number of artists, including Juicy J and Soul Asylum as headliners. The festival runs from Friday to Sunday.

Click Here to get your tickets.

Open Pickleball Championships in Beer City

The Beer City Open Pickleball Championships will be held again this year at Belknap Park.

The competition began on Wednesday and will continue through the weekend until a winner is crowned in all tournaments. The event is free to watch.

For further information please see Here.

Great American Blueberry Eating Championships

Also this Saturday, the Great American Blueberry Eating Championship will take place at Belknap Park.

The competition begins at noon and some of the best professional eaters try to devour as many blueberries as possible in eight minutes.

Check out the competition by clicking Here.

Griffins welcome Lids in the library

The Grand Rapids Griffins want to help keep your children safe this summer and are having a raffle this Friday at the Kent District Library.

From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., team members will distribute 100 free bicycle helmets to children ages 1 to 12.

For further information, click here Here.

Ceremony for President Ford’s 111th birthday

A wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Sunday to mark the 111th birthday of former President Gerald R. Ford.

The event will honor the president and former first lady at their gravesites near the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. President Joe Biden will send the wreath to Grand Rapids.

Click Here for more details.

Rock the Boat by United Way

On Thursday, the United Way of Southwest Michigan will once again host its “Rock the Boat” event.

More than two dozen boats made entirely of cardboard will be launched in St. Joseph to raise money for the nonprofit. The event begins at 5 p.m. and admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

For further details please see Here.

Growlers host Swiftie Appreciation Night

If you love Taylor Swift and baseball, you don’t want to miss the Kalamazoo Growlers game this Friday.

The team is hosting a Swiftie Appreciation Night at Homer Stryker Field. They also plan to invite tons of fans to try to break a world record in her honor.

Get your tickets Here.

Kalamazoo Art Institute Centennial Celebration

The Kalamazoo Art Institute is celebrating its 100th anniversary and is planning a big celebration this weekend.

The institute is offering its guests free entry this Saturday. You can view all the amazing works inside while also taking part in some fun events organized by the staff.

For more information, see Here.

White-tailed deer mounting seminar for Purple Heart veterans

The Hamilton Rod and Gun Club is hosting an event where you can learn how to properly dress a whitetail deer.

Participants will have the opportunity to improve their taxidermy skills by taxidermying eight white-tailed deer with the assistance of instructors.

Further information about the event can be found at Here.

Macatawa Waterproof

Enjoy all the fun planned for this year’s Macatawa Water Festival this Saturday at Windmill Island Gardens.

The festival offers plenty of experiences to suit every mood. Activities planned include getting up close and personal with surgeons and kayaking around the island.

Click Here for more details.