Ethnic Heritage Festival to celebrate diversity at Grand Rapids Public Museum

Join the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) on Saturday, February 6 for the annual Ethnic Heritage Festival. The Festival is a day-long celebration of music, dance, crafts and food representing the various ethnic groups that call West Michigan home.

The city of Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have a long-standing history of diversity and various cultural traditions. The event at the GRPM celebrates this rich history.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the event features a variety of organizations, performances and presentations. The Museum Café will feature ethnic food selections, and there will be an international beer tasting taking place in the afternoon. Event activities are included with general admission to the Museum. The International Beer Tasting is an additional $5.00 and open to those 21 and over. Tickets for the International Beer Tasting will be available for purchase at the Museum’s front desk on the day of the event.

Organizations participating in this year’s festival include the Swedish American Heritage Society of West Michigan, The Gaelic League, Polish Heritage Society, Anishinabec, Anishinabe Meejim, West Michigan Jewels of Africa, Grand Rapids Sister Cities, Le Clay, Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Grand Rapids Scottish Society, Korean Connection in West MI, Bethany Christian Services, Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids, End of the Trail Jewelry and Mystic Spirits Art. Each booth will have various activities and displays for visitors to see and touch, learning more about each culture.  

Colorful performances will take place throughout the day in the Meijer Theater and Galleria, starting at 10 a.m. Performances will include MI Hiryu Daiko Flying Dragon Drummers, Le Clay with Le Zu, Ni Bhraonain Irish Dancers, Native American Drum and Dance Group, Greek Dance Group of Holy Trinity Church, Blue Water Ramblers and Imani Singers.

Visitors will be able to view the Museum’s exhibitions, with two specific exhibitions having a primary focus on diversity and culture. The exhibitions include "Newcomers: The People of This Place," which highlights the ethnic groups that have settled the Grand Rapids area, and "Anishinabek: The People of this Place," which focuses on Native American culture in the region.

Ethnic Heritage Festival is sponsored by Ingrid of Keller Williams International.

Please visit the www.grpm.org for additional information about the Ethnic Heritage Festival, and more on the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s exhibitions and programs.