🌱 Patch AM: How this year’s ArtPrize will take over downtown Grand Rapids

Hi there, Grand Rapids! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How this year's ArtPrize will take over downtown Grand Rapids
• Step inside Grand Rapids' sensory-friendly autism portrait exhibit at ArtPrize
• How Grand Rapids parents can spot drug dealers on kids' apps

Also on today's calendar: Mosaic Art Classes Grand Rapids: Turkish Lamp Workshop and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the fish say when she hit a wall? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Nice with variable clouds, with a high of 72 and low of 60 degrees.
• Tuesday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 76, low: 59.
• Wednesday: Peeks of sunshine, with a high of 71 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• ArtPrize introduces DanceFest to kick off preview week for Grand Rapids festival (wzzm13.com) — ArtPrize is bringing back its massive downtown Grand Rapids art competition starting Sept. 18, and organizers just kicked off preview week with a new DanceFest showcase at Rosa Parks Circle. Local groups like Essence hip-hop crew and Grand Rapids Ballet highlighted the city's year-round arts scene, and residents will soon be able to vote on hundreds of installations for major cash prizes.
   

• ArtPrize's 'Soul of Autism' project highlights diverse communities (woodtv.com) — An ArtPrize exhibit at Fountain Street Church in downtown Grand Rapids is using powerful portraits to show how autism looks different for each person, including the photographer herself. Erica Bacon's "Soul of Autism" series features 28 local subjects, sensory-friendly lighting, and QR codes linking to deeper stories, aiming to make autistic visitors feel understood while educating thousands of festival-goers.
   

• DEA warns drug dealers are using social media to target teens (fox17online.com) — In Grand Rapids, federal drug officials warn that dealers are increasingly using social media and payment apps to reach local teens, often hiding behind emojis and disappearing posts. A local group, Protect Young Eyes, urges parents to use parental controls, regularly check phones for hidden or vault apps, and stay educated using new DEA video resources to keep kids safer this school year.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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★ Featured events ★

Monday September 14
• GriefShare →
  Family Room, 800 Scribner NW, Grand Rapids
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday September 15
• Lecture: Democracy is My Religion with Fish Stark →
  138 East Fulton St. SE, Grand Rapids
• Marriage | Young Marrieds Small Group Deadline →
  Crossroads Upper Room, 800 Scribner Ave NW, Grand Rapids
• Lecture: Democracy is My Religion with Fish Stark (Grand Rapids) →
  Palace of India, 138 East Fulton St. SE, Grand Rapids
Friday September 18
• Mosaic Art Classes Grand Rapids: Turkish Lamp Workshop →
  Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown by IHG, 310 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids
  2:00 pm
Saturday September 19
• Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids Invites Community to Annual Fall Harvest Day Festival, Sept. 19 →
  Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids, 350 84th St SW, Byron Center
Sunday September 20
• Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Grand Rapids →
  Gordon Park, 17150 Northland Dr NE, Sand Lake
  9:00 am
Tuesday September 22
• Bark to School Trivia Night Fundraiser at City Built →
  City Built Brewing Company, 820 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids
  6:30 pm
Thursday September 24
• Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  8:45 pm
Saturday September 26
• Roller Derby Double Header! →
  JAM Sports Grand Rapids, 3125 28th St SW, Grandville
  4:00 pm
Thursday October 1
• Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  8:45 pm

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  Found on September 10, 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI 49504 near Near Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder, view… (Nextdoor Alpine Estates)
• Is this anyone's cat?
  My wife and her friend found him last night. He came right onto our porch and came back a few hours later. Let me know if you know anything about… (Nextdoor Highland Park)

• Pridgeon & Clay, Inc. posted a job opening for Machine Operator in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
• City of Grand Rapids MI posted a job opening for Mechanical Inspector I in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

🗞 Nearby News

East Grand Rapids

• East Grand Rapids turns annual fundraiser toward families with children receiving treatment (fox17online.com)
• Last-second thrillers headline Week 3 Grand Rapids-area prep football action (mlive.com)

Wyoming

• Wyoming police add 7 new Dodge Durango cruisers to fleet (mlive.com)
• CMU football battles in comeback win over Colgate (cm-life.com)
• Central Michigan matches up with Wyoming in Week 3 (messenger-inquirer.com)

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Dam! (Thank you George G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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