GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The city kicked off its 175th anniversary with a celebration at Rosa Parks Circle on a sunny and breezy Saturday, June 7.

After an opening prayer and traditional welcome from members of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, officials Mark Washington, Grand Rapids city manager, City Commissioner Milinda Ysasi and State Rep. Kristian Grant addressed the crowd.

Residents and visitors took in the many events and informational booths that lined the area and surrounding streets - live music, an exhibit of 175 pictures showing Grand Rapids through the years, stilt-walkers, jugglers, free hot dogs, cupcakes and ice cream and many more.

Vada Niva said she liked living in Grand Rapids. “It’s a good medium-sized city, so it’s a little bit of everything. But you can be quickly

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