What are you doing this weekend to kick-off Spring Break? Will you be on a beach somewhere with your toes in the sand?
Me neither.
Join the #GrandRapidsSpringBreak2016 club.
So how will we keep our minds off all the vacation and beach-themed Facebook updates?
Here are my top 3 ideas so far:
1. The Saturday Experience
I’ve done this once before, and it did not disappoint. Basically, what you do is wake up Saturday morning and drive to this very sketchy parking lot near the corner of Godfrey Ave and Hall Street. Adjacent to the parking lot you’ll find what looks like an abandoned warehouse. Pretending like you’re not scared or lost, you walk into the warehouse and then proceed to hike up 3 or 4 flights of stairs.
It’s well worth the hike once you get to the top and arrive at Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters — an awesomely authentic coffee roasting facility. Past the mounds of burlap sacs filled with premium coffee beans from around the world, you’ll be welcomed into the tasting room for what they call “The Saturday Experience”.
It’s an open house-style morning where anyone is welcome to watch and listen about the craft of high-quality coffee roasting. Guests receive at least three brewed coffee samples to try, as well as espresso shots & Americanos. They will custom roast any of their Select Single Origin or Premium Specialty Blend coffees for you to take home straight from the roaster (still warm). Other products available for sale are 12 oz packaged coffees, chocolates, loose leaf tea, candy, mints, brewing supplies and more. All brewed coffee samples and espressos are free of charge and no purchase is required!
Event: The Saturday Experience: Coffee Roasting Demonstrations & Tastings
Venue: Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters
Location: 1111 Godfrey Ave. SW Suite S-530 Mailbox 8C, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Time: Saturday 10am-3pm
2. Say what’s up to Nakhte-Bastet-Iru
If you’re big into the ancient Egyptian mummy scene you already know who this is. If not, she’s believed to have been the daughter of a priest in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes.
The exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum this weekend displays the mummy of Nakhte, as well as an impressive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.
One of the coolest things about Nakhte is that forensic anthropologists have built three-dimensional renderings of what she must have looked like when she died at the age of 20.
This exhibit highlights the importance of artistic objects, such as jewelry, funerary masks and statuettes, by exploring their role in the beliefs and elaborate funerary practices of the ancient Egyptians. Viewers will discover what artifacts were used many years ago in worship, funeral processes, celebrations, and mummification.
Event: Egypt: Be Curious
Venue: Grand Rapids Public Museum
Location: 272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Time: Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm
3. Indulge Your Inner Animal-Lover.
I love animals. In particular, I’m a sucker for dogs.
Here’s a serious challenge. Watch this video, one of my favorite dog videos ever, and see if you can help from laughing out loud. I’m not sure it’s possible.
Oh Tank! 3 years and 3,000 views later and he still cracks me up.
If you love animals as much as I do then this last weekend activity, The West Michigan Pet Expo, won’t be a hard sell.
There will be plenty of activities for the whole family. Pony rides and petting zoo for the younger kids. Live animal entertainment & reptile exhibits for the older kids. Pet training seminars and free samples of pet products for the adults. Plus the Canine Stars, Dock-Diving Dogs, and Flyball Agility Dogs.
I’m Sold. Here are the details:
Event: The West Michigan Pet Expo in Grand Rapids
Venue: Delta Plex
Time: Saturday April 2nd 10am-7pm; Sunday April 3rd 11am-5pm
Price: Adults $10; Children (6-12yrs) $5
Schedule of events:
Saturday, April 2:
11:00 am………….The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
12:00 pm ………… Flyball Agility Dogs: Fly By Night, Harmony Flyball, & Revolution Flyball
1:00 pm ……….. The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
2:00 pm …………..Seminar: “From the Shelter to New Home,” Cat Care transition tips: Carol Manos, Director/Founder of Carol’s Ferals
3:00 pm …………..Seminar: “Bully Breed Basics & Support” Tanelle Early, Pretties for Pitties
4:00 pm…………… The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
5:00 pm ……….. Flyball Agility Dogs: Fly By Night, Harmony Flyball, & Revolution Flyball
6:00 pm ………….. The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
Sunday, April 3:
11:30 am …………The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
12:30 pm ………… Flyball Agility Dogs: Fly By Night, Harmony Flyball, & Revolution Flyball
1:20 pm ………… “From the Shelter to New Home, Cat Care transition tips: Carol Manos, Director/Founder of Carol’s Ferals
2:00 pm………….. The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
3:00 pm ………….. Flyball Agility Dogs: Fly By Night, Harmony Flyball, & Revolution Flyball
4:00 pm …………..The Canine Stars and Dock Diving Dogs
Hope to see you out there!
