Good Times Coming to Grant

Saturday Festival features  family friendly fun
A fun filled day awaits folks attending  River Country Chamber’s Annual  Grant Festival this Saturday, August 17th, with a bevy of activities for all ages.
Now that we are now knee deep into August the wonderful array of outdoor festivals our area is known for will be coming to an end soon.  It’s prime time for some outdoor mingling  with a chance to run into friends and acquaintances seeking a bit of hometown revelry.
 We listed some of the highlights adding the generous sponsors who make them possible.

You can start the day with a full stomach by hitting up the Pancake Breakfast at the fire station. Coffee and rolls from 7-8am then cakes and sausage from 8-11am. (Consumers Energy)

Car buffs take note. The ever popular Auto Show will feature some fine rides decked out in their best for the competition. Starting at 9am with judging at 11:30am, the vehicular venue is on Front St. in front of the Community Center. From classic models to newer rides, you can check out hair dryers, huffers and hot licks while admiring the work that goes into these gas powered beauties. (Grant Tire Wholesalers Plus)

Who doesn’t love a parade? A festival without a parade is just so wrong, thus at 12:30pm the caravan of candy tossing will begin and the streets will be lined with locals looking to see what surprises the lineup brings. AND since the primary is over there will be less candidates cruising along the route to shake a few hands and hand out flyers no one reads.

One of our favorite events at any time is a BBQ Competition where smoke savoring  savants roll out their ribs and slightly charred chicken concoctions for bragging rights and some cold hard cash for the winners. Pitmasters will learn the fate of their meat beginning at 5pm.
Side note: A friend who is a certified judge of such events educated me as to how the frequently advertised “fall off the bone” ribs never make the cut since they are considered to be overdone. Ribs should apparently give just a bit of a tug to be considered prize-worthy. Who knew?  (Choice One)

Did I hear Beer Tent? Yep. Not only can you enjoy an adult beverage or two but there’s entertainment to be had beginning with The Faulkners a local duo who have been making a number of appearances  throughout the area from 1:30pm-4pm and followed up with a welcome taste of country classics with the Larsen Brothers 4:30pm-6pm. If you are one of those folks who don’t normally carry cash, you might want to hit up an ATM since cash (and an I.D.) is your only way of scoring a brew. (High Profile)

Soap Box Racing is always a hoot and with three divisions it will be interesting to see what these innovative riders come up with. Races begin at 9am and will wrap up around 12:30 pm. (Newaygo Plumbing)

Once upon a time this festival included horseshoes but while there are still some ‘shoers’ out there, cornhole has passed it in popularity and now the festival has a Cornhole Tourney on hand. Dozens of competitors seeking to put their tossing skills on display will be looking to be this year's Boss of the Toss. (Wolff Builders)

 A Golf Simulator will give links lovers a shot at winning long drive and closest to the pin, there will be a  Pie Baking Contest (The Depot) , a 5k walk/ run and the obligatory Dunk Tank (Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy),  all add to the fun. And, of course, there will be a boatload of activities for the young ones including Gellyball (think paintball without the mess) , a Barrel Train, Face Painting and a Gem Mine.

Our Gateway City is pulling out all stops to provide a day of fun and frolic so take your crew to Grant this  Saturday, August 17th.
For more detailed info visit the River Country Chamber site at:
​ https://www.rivercountrychamber.com/events/details/grant-festival-2024-41231