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'Return to the River' free music and art festival returns to the riverfront this weekend

The third annual "Return to the River" festival is set to kick off along the Grand Rapids riverfront this Saturday. Enjoy music, art, food, activities and more!

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A free music and art festival is returning to Grand Rapids for its third year on Saturday.

The "Return to the River" festival is taking over 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park and Canal Park for two days beginning on Saturday.

Enjoy live music and entertainment, art installations, aerialist and circus performances, food trucks, activities and free walking tours all weekend long.

It all kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. that night. Then on Sunday, the festival runs from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.

There are three stages with live music each day and one stage with educational and activist speakers. The three musical stages will be located at 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park and Canal Park. The stage with speakers will be located on the Sixth Street Bridge.

Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at one of six bars and taken into the festival: City Built Brewing, Embassy Suites, Garage Bar & Grill, Linear, Noodlepig and SpeakEZ Lounge.

You can find the complete lineup and schedule of artists and speakers here:

It’s Festival Week!! Get Ready for our 3rd Annual Return to the River - Free Music and Art Festival! Swipe for the...

Posted by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. on Monday, August 19, 2024

Art vendors and food trucks will also be on and near the Sixth Street Bridge both days of the festival.

Three large art installations will be featured at the festival:

"Los Trompos" by Creos

Credit: "Los Trompos" by Creos

"Shrooms" by Amigo & Amigo

Credit: “Shrooms” by Amigo & Amigo

"Vivacity" by LeMonde Studio

Credit: “Vivacity” by LeMonde Studio

Parking is available at all of the downtown parking lots and structures and a free downtown shuttle is available from the Area 7 and 9 DASH Parking lots at 301 Mt Vernon Ave NW and 250 Seward Ave NW.

The festival is put on by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

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