Our signature initiatives & activations
Democracy Cafe
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A mobile, pop-up civic learning experience bringing interactive exhibits, local history and opportunities for simple civic action directly into neighborhoods, schools, libraries and festivals.
The Café will debut on January 29th at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and publicly shortly thereafter.
July 4 “United by Community” Celebration
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On July 4, GR A250 will invite residents to celebrate the nation’s birthday through experiences that highlight unity, civic pride and shared purpose. While plans continue to take shape, the day will blend neighborhood-level gatherings with citywide civic moments that honor the founding principles of the United States. At the neighborhood level, GR A250 will distribute Block Party-in-a-Box kits to empower residents to host hyper-local celebrations filled with activities, décor and other simple ways to connect with neighbors.
Community Time Capsule & Civic Landmark
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A public ceremony and installation capturing stories, hopes, artifacts and reflections from 2026, housed within a commissioned sculpture symbolizing future-facing civic progress.
Youth Civic Engagement Initiative
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A portfolio of youth-designed competitions, service challenges, storytelling and leadership labs elevating the next generation’s voice in shaping Grand Rapids’ future.
Subcommittee & Partner Initiatives
Athletics Recognition & Visibility
Celebrates student and professional athletes across West Michigan through branded patches, decals, signage and public storytelling that ties athletic pride to civic identity.
Fans can get a sneak peak on January 15, 2026 at Grand Valley State University for their Men’s and Women’s basketball games versus Davenport University.
Business Engagement Partnership
Mobilizes the Chamber and business community to recognize the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, promote civic-purpose leadership and activate workplaces around the GR A250 themes.
Citywide Branding & Visibility Campaign
Neighborhood banners, downtown building wrap, airport signage and regional advertising that unifies Grand Rapids under a shared visual identity for the anniversary year.
“Join or Die” Civic Engagement Screenings
Film screenings and community dialogues hosted with local civic partners exploring the meaning of civic participation, community building and democracy today.
“Doing History Harvest”
Interactive public events where residents bring personal archives, photos and artifacts to be digitized and preserved, ensuring inclusive representation of community history.
Sister Cities Airport Art Collaboration
Permanent installation at Gerald R. Ford International Airport celebrating Grand Rapids’ global friendships and the value of cross-cultural understanding.
“Hadithi Voices” Storytelling Project
Multimedia storytelling centering immigrant and refugee experiences; exhibitions highlight the evolving people and cultures shaping Grand Rapids today.
“Meditations Journal” Interfaith Anthology
A printed and digital collection showcasing reflections, prayers, artwork and meditations from Grand Rapids’ diverse faith communities.
Manufacturing Month / Plant Tours
A greatly expanded regional initiative exposing students and residents to modern manufacturing through hands-on tours and career pathway exploration with up to 250 companies participating.
Manufacturing Central Showcase
A downtown exhibit space (under exploration) where manufacturers display products, stories, innovations and regional industrial heritage.
“250 Trees for 250 Years”
Tree-planting challenges during ArborFest and NeighborWoods events celebrating environmental stewardship and community beautification.
Manufacturing Mobile Lab
A mobile STEM and manufactauring learning experience built for student engagement.
GR Symphony Semiquincentennial Performancet
A special performance tied to the anniversary themes of unity, civic identity and American musical heritage.
Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit - Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
An interactive exhibit honoring the service and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, connecting local youth to national history.
Cultural Partner Events & Activations
Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies (GVSU)
Lectures, debates, Common Ground events, constitutional history programming.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
Author talks, civic leadership programs, historical exhibitions on American democracy.
Grand Rapids Symphony
Season concerts, patriotic repertoire, community engagement initiatives.
Grand Rapids Ballet
Performances and community programs exploring American stories and cultural expression.
Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM)
Exhibitions and educational programs connecting art, identity and civic life.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Local history exhibitions, civic education programming and thematic events complementing GR A250.
Let’s make this milestone unforgettable.
July 4, 2026
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