The countdown to summer in West Michigan is on! May is here leading the way for warmer days and more outdoor activities. Grand Rapids has another month stacked with can't-miss events for locals and people traveling into the city. Take a look at the hottest events this May and don't forget to make plans for Mother's Day and Memorial Day! 

Annual Early Childhood Conference | May 5-7

Join your peers in Grand Rapids, Michigan May 5 – 7, 2022 for the Michigan AEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference. This year’s conference is all about The Power of YOU! Now, more than ever, early childhood professionals are center stage. Embrace the opportunity to celebrate the power YOU have to advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and enhance the lives of young children and families.

Registration includes a full 3-day in-person conference with over 130 in-person sessions May 5-7 plus access to over 100 online sessions for 30 days. The online option includes access to live keynote and spotlight sessions and select pre-recorded sessions.

Great Lakes Homeland Security Conference and Expo | May 10-12

Head to the 2022 Great Lakes Homeland Security Training Conference and Expo to be held on May 10-12, 2022 at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids hosted in partnership by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, the FBI, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Click here to book your hotel room. 

Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting | May 14-20

The Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting (JASM) will be the world’s largest gathering of aquatic scientists, students, practitioners, resource agency staff, and industry representatives in history. JASM’s parent organization, The Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies (CASS), is comprised of 9 groups representing various interests within the aquatic science realm. The JASM 2022 meeting is designed to bring together deep, multidisciplinary subject-matter expertise to collaboratively educate one another and solve the complex environmental problems facing our society and our planet today.

AMWAY River Bank Run | May 14

The Amway River Bank Run presented by Fifth Third Bank with Spectrum Health the Official Health Partner will celebrate 45 years of road running on Saturday, May 14.  More than 10,000* people are expected to compete in the event which features the largest 25K road race in the country and offers the only 25K Wheelchair racing division in the world along with a 25K Handcycle division. 

The run is celebrating 45 years of races and is looking forward to May 14, 2022,  filling the streets of Grand Rapids with the largest 25K road race in the country and the USA 25 km Open Championships.   Join the race and participate in one or multiple events which include a 25K Run,  25K Handcycle, 25K Wheelchair,  10K Run, 5K Run and 5K Community Walk.  

In addition to in-person events, join in on virtual events that give individuals an opportunity to participate by completing the distance of their choice (25K, 10K, 5K, or 5K walk) on the course of their choice and day that works between May 1 and May 31.    Each virtual event offers extended finishing times (unlike the in-person course cutoffs) and having flexibility makes the Virtual Race a great option,  plus you receive all the commemorative RBR Race Swag. There's still time to register! 

Grand Rapids Invitational Tournament (GRIT) | May 27-29

PASS FC and SCOR-Meulensteen Soccer Clubs are partnering again to host a northern Grand Rapids-area soccer tournament, to be held on Memorial Day weekend. Register now for a friendly, fun, and competitive tournament while also experiencing beautiful West Michigan. 

All Recreational, Select, Elite, Premier/DA, and NLC level soccer teams are invited to apply and will be placed in divisions according to their league and past standings. Multiple age group divisions will be formed at the GRIT Director's discretion. Multiple field locations within 12 miles of each other for an easy commute for multiple games.  Every effort will be made to keep each division at 1 venue.

What's your favorite event in May?