Cultural Heritage Festival
The City of Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have a long-standing history of diversity and various cultural traditions dating back from early explorers and fur traders, to modern day cultural rituals from new residents of the region. To celebrate this heritage, the Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts the annual Cultural Heritage Festival.
The festival brings in cultural organizations throughout West Michigan to share with the community their background, connection to West Michigan, and the country they represent. This is done with visual presentations, music, art, food, and more. Â
Additionally, the Museum hosts two core exhibitions having a primary focus on diversity and culture: Newcomers: The People of This Place which highlights the ethnic groups that have settled the Grand Rapids area, and Anishinabek: The People of this Place which focuses on the Native American culture in the region.
2023 Participants
- A Glimpse of Africa
- American Arab Intellectual Property Association
- Ancient Order of Hibernians
- ASSE International Student Exchange Program
- Ballet Folklórico GR
- Banjo-Jim
- Bhutanese Community of MIchigan
- Cynthia Hagedorn Fine Arts Studio - "The Property"
- Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids & Edelweiss Choir
- Gaelic League/Irish-American Club of West Michigan
- Golden Tiger Kung Fu Academy
- Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives
- Grand Rapids Scottish Society
- Grand Rapids Sister Cities International
- Grand Valley American Indian Lodge
- Guelaguetza Designs
- GVSU Euphoria A Cappella
- Hispanic Artists of West Michigan
- Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
- Imani Singers
- India Link
- Kathleen Moore
- Korean Connection
- Kpop Group Evolution
- Krishna House
- La Furia Del Ritmo
- Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Les Clay
- Lingua China, LLC
- Lotus Boyz
- Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan
- Michigan Hiryu Daiko
- Motherland Cultural Connections LLC
- MS Johnson Farms (Mystic Spirits Art)
- Native American Arts Council
- Native Blend LLC Soap Company
- NIA Centre
- Pewa African Jewelries
- Picardo Colours LLC
- Polish Heritage Society
- ShimmyUSA
- Taste of Africa Michigan LLC
- West Michigan Asian American Association
- West Michigan Friend Center
- West Michigan TamilSangam
- Woodland Boys Drum
Food Vendors 2023
The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education will prepare a paella recipe developed by Chef José Andrés for when World Central Kitchen (WCK) activates for disaster relief. The Chefs at the Secchia Insitute for Culinary Education brought WCK’s inaugural Chef Relief Training to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in November 2021. Each participating chef earned WCK’s certification to lead emergency food operations following a disaster.
On November 4, the Secchia Insitute will prepare and sell individual portions of the paella for museum-goers participating in the Cultural Heritage Festival.
All proceeds from the paella sales will go to Secchia Institute for Culinary Education student scholarships.
Participate in the 2023 Festival:
Cultural Heritage Festival Participation
Cultural Organization Videos