Dynamic Variation:

Local World of Winter Artist: Two Eagles Marcus

Two Eagles Marcus is a Rockford-based Indigenous Native American artist from the Red Willow Tribe of Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. He also happens to be someone I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for many years. His work, “Infinity Mountains” is on display at Calder Plaza as part of the annual World of…

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Local World of Winter Artist: Chris Dudley

The World of Winter (WOW) Festival has returned to downtown Grand Rapids, bringing art, color, and—frankly—fun in the height of winter. Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. is the organization behind the festival, and I’ve noticed DGRI’s focus on highlighting local artists, especially women and BIPOC…

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Local World of Winter Artist: Mandy Cano Villalobos

Since it started in 2018, the World of Winter Festival (WOW) has invited all of us to rethink how we “do winter” here in Grand Rapids by filling the downtown with brightly colored artwork to enjoy during the day and night. Grand Rapids-based artist Mandy Cano Villalobos's work is part of the…

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World of Winter Family Itinerary

Grand Rapids is the city I’ve called home my whole life. And while I’ve traveled Michigan thoroughly over the years, I’ve struggled to embrace Michigan winters once the holiday decor comes down. That is, until downtown Grand Rapids started hosting the World of Winter in 2018. World of Winter is an…

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Where to Rent Winter Gear in Grand Rapids

From the heart of downtown to the coast of Lake Michigan, the Grand Rapids area offers all sorts of opportunities for cold-weather play. Some of our favorite winter pastimes require specialized gear in addition to warm coats, hats and gloves. If you don’t own gear – or you don’t want to lug it with…

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Your Romantic Getaway Weekend Itinerary in Grand Rapids

Although I’m a relative newcomer to Grand Rapids, I am still a Midwesterner, and I can tell you we’re a practical bunch. Case in point: winter. Midwesterners make the best of this season with festivals, outdoor adventures, and warming food. And while I am likely biased, if you’re looking for an easy…

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