News Summary
Grand Rapids launched its 175th anniversary celebrations with a vibrant community event at Rosa Parks Circle, featuring live music, activities, and historical exhibits. The event showcased local artists and offered attendees free treats while honoring the city’s rich history with guided tours and a special corn maze. A public vote for a commemorative poster design further encourages community involvement, highlighting the unique spirit of Grand Rapids. The year-long festivities aim to engage residents in celebrating the city’s heritage and culinary accolades.
Grand Rapids is officially celebrating its 175th anniversary throughout 2025, marking a significant milestone in the city’s rich history. The anniversary celebrations commenced on June 7, 2025, with a vibrant community event held at Rosa Parks Circle. This kickoff event engaged residents with live music from local artists, including Nathan Walton, Cabildo, and DJ Venus Flyytrap, alongside carnival games, balloon artists, stilt walkers, and a variety of buskers.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, attendees enjoyed free cake, ice cream, and popcorn while a giant birthday card offered a unique way for participants to convey their well wishes to the city. Historical exhibits featured a remarkable collection of 175 images that highlighted Grand Rapids’ past, with a guided tour conducted by Caroline Cook providing further insight into the city’s history.
The event began with a heartfelt prayer and welcome by the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, paying homage to the city’s roots. A mayoral proclamation highlighted the founding history that traces back to Louis Campau’s trading post established in 1826, culminating in the city’s official incorporation on April 2, 1850.
Recognized as a gastronomic hub, Grand Rapids has garnered accolades for its robust food and craft beer scenes, having been dubbed America’s Best Beer City and a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City. To honor this celebration, Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery plans to contribute significantly with a special corn maze design that reflects the city’s spirit.
The 6.5-acre corn maze will open from September 2 to November 2, 2025, featuring a design that includes “175 Years Grand Rapids” along with an outline of Alexander Calder’s iconic sculpture “La Grande Vitesse.” Tickets for the maze are priced at $10 per person, with free admission for children under 2. Additionally, groups of 15 or more can enjoy a discount of $1 per ticket. The maze will operate Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Robinette’s has been creating corn maze designs since 2009, with previous themes showcasing popular culture. The farm also offers an array of attractions that include winery tastings, cider mills, farm markets, horse-drawn wagon rides, mountain biking trails, and custom gift boxes, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
In an effort to engage the community further, a public vote is currently underway for a commemorative poster design associated with the anniversary. Three finalist designs have been announced, and voting will continue until September 5, 2025. The winning design, which will receive recognition at the ArtPrize opening ceremony on September 19, will be displayed in city hall throughout the event, showcasing the artistic talents of local residents.
Participants who submit designs for the poster will be eligible for cash rewards, emphasizing the city’s commitment to creativity and community involvement during this anniversary year. The anniversary logo encourages creative usage by both residents and local businesses, promoting widespread participation throughout the celebration.
The city of Grand Rapids is collaborating with the Grand Rapids Public Museum for historical exhibits at various events planned throughout the year. Additionally, social media contests and online initiatives are being launched to invite community engagement and increase participation in the anniversary festivities. Doug Matthews, assistant city manager, articulated the excitement surrounding the yearlong series of events, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm and involvement in this historic celebration.
As Grand Rapids moves forward in 2025, this historic celebration not only honors the city’s past but also reinforces its vibrant community spirit and diverse cultural landscape that continues to thrive.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Robinette’s 2025 Maze Design Honors Grand Rapids’ 175th Anniversary
- Wikipedia: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Fox17: Grand Rapids Launches Voting for 175th Anniversary Poster
- Google Search: Grand Rapids 175th Anniversary
- WZZM13: Grand Rapids 175th Anniversary Celebration
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Rapids
- Wood Radio: Robinette’s 2025 Corn Maze Design Celebrates GR’s 175th Anniversary
- Google News: Grand Rapids Events 2025
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
