GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A free music and art festival is returning to Grand Rapids for its third year this weekend and some art installations are already being set up.
The "Return to the River" festival is taking over 555 Monroe, Sixth Street Park and Canal Park for two days beginning on Saturday.
"We know a lot of folks are either going back to school or have already gone back to school, so it's a good way to just celebrate for one last time in the summertime," said Bill Kirk, the communications director at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
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.
Visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment, art installations, aerialist and circus performances, food trucks, activities and free walking tours all weekend long.
A schedule of live performances can be found here.
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 west end of the Sixth Street Bridge.
Kirk said there will also be a "Pleasant Peninsula" artisan market on the Sixth Street Bridge.
There will be body marbling, face painting, glitter tattoos and free cotton candy available for some extra excitement.
"It should be a really fun two-day festival right here on the riverfront," Kirk said.
One of the art installations, "Shrooms" by Amigo & Amigo, came to Grand Rapids from overseas and will be set up and will be at 555 Monroe through Sept. 3.
Other art installations include "Los Trompos" by Creos and "Vivacity" by LeMonde Studio.
Kirk said "Los Trompos" is an interactive installation for the public to enjoy.
He also said "Vivacity" doubles as a misting station for visitors to sit and cool off in the hot weather.
There will be live muralists, local art and smaller art installations up and down the riverwalks.
Food trucks will be on and near the Sixth Street Bridge both days of the festival.
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.
"It's just a celebration of our community," Kirk said.
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.