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Concerts in Cascade - Summer 2025

 

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Enjoy free, family-friendly live music featuring local and national artists! Join us this summer at Friendship Park for a series of outdoor concerts, brought to you by Cascade Township.

Event Details:
Location: Friendship Park, Cascade Township, MI (2870 Jacksmith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546)

Time: All shows start at 6:30 pm
Admission: Free
Seating: Bring your own blanket or lawn chair
Food and Drink: Feel free to bring a cooler with snacks, water, or soda. Alcohol is not allowed.

Concert Lineup:

June 12: Electric Flower Co
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Known as Michigan’s most electric party band, the Electric Flower Company is a 4-piece, female-fronted powerhouse that always fills the dance floor. Whether it’s classic rock standards from bands like Journey and Fleetwood Mac, modern dance hits from artists such as Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift, or Y2K-era pop and punk sensations like Blink 182 and Shania Twain, their non-stop hit-after-hit set list offers the perfect bouquet of fan-favorite songs for crowds of all ages. Forming from some of Michigan’s elite bands, the Electric Flower Co has developed a unique brand that is “dressed to impress” with a captivating stage presence and magnetic charm that invites audiences to become part of an experience! Join the company at a club, party, wedding or event near you to enjoy an unforgettable night of singing and dancing along to all the top songs that you know and love.

Visit their website to learn more. Photo provided by Electric Flower Co.

July 17: Lee Murdock
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LEE MURDOCK TO PERFORM GREAT LAKES MUSIC

Lee Murdock has discovered a boundless body of music and stories from the Great Lakes. Noted as a fluent instrumentalist on the six and twelve string guitars, Murdock combines ragtime, Irish, blues, and folk styles with his flair for storytelling in songs. His musical influences span fifteen generations. Murdock began his folk career in the Chicago area in the mid-1970s, expanding his repertoire of blues and popular music as his interest in folk music and the maritime tradition grew.

His focus on Great Lakes music began as a simple interest in finding the folk songs from his own local history. He says, “I sort of ‘fell in’ to the Great Lakes by accident,” says Murdock, “but once I started performing songs about the Great Lakes, my audiences kept asking for more. And the stories and songs just keep coming.”
Murdock's songs create an unforgettable image of commerce and recreation as they coexist on the Great Lakes today, with huge cargo ships traversing vital shipping lanes while pleasure craft of all types and sizes share the waters along America’s fourth coast.
Lee’s songs and stories share the tragedy and the heroics, the isolation and the breathtaking beauty of lighthouse lore and the US Life Saving Service (later known as the Coast Guard).
With a deeper understanding of the folk process, Lee's repertoire combines historical research and contemporary insights. Murdock's work is both documentary and also a contemporary anthem to the people who live, work, and play along the Great Lakes today.
For more information, visit his website. Photo provided by Lee Murdock.


August 7: Chloe Kimes
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Chloe Kimes is a Michigan-born singer, songwriter, and bandleader currently based in Nashville, TN. In 2022, Kimes independently released her self-titled debut album — voted "Listener's Choice Album of the Year" by WYCE Radio, as well as landing her a spot on NPR Music's Top Ten Nashville Artists on the Rise. In 2024, she released her latest single "Coors Light" following its immense viral popularity, and spent the year touring a fresh batch of originals on the shoulders of her well-loved debut.

“It’s the early marks of a great Americana storyteller-in-the-making, cut from a cloth reminiscent of contemporary roots heroes like Lucinda Williams.” (Johnathan Frahm, For Folk’s Sake)
A songwriting troubadour with new music pointing towards a courageous sophomore release, she fronts a spirited alt-country outfit. Kimes and her band offer a striking live show with a timeless sound, her tireless voice leading the way, her sentiments forging their own new space in the country Americana scene.
Visit her website for more information. Photo provided by Chloe Kimes.

Presented in conjunction with Kent District Library's Vibes Reference Desk Mini Concert Series.



Easter Egg Hunt - April 19, 2025

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Join us at Cascade's Recreation Park for a fun, family-friendly event! The Easter Egg Hunt will begin promptly at 10 am, and we encourage everyone to arrive early, as the hunt happens fast. Be sure to bring your own basket to collect eggs.

After the hunt, families can enjoy a visit with the Easter Bunny and play with real bunnies. This free event is open to all ages, and we look forward to celebrating with you!


 

 Independence Day Celebration - July 4, 2025

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Cascade’s annual Independence Day Celebration is set for Friday, July 4, 2025. This annual tradition begins with a hometown parade and continues with a street fair full of food, games, rides, and live music. The celebration wraps up at 2 pm, just in time to enjoy an evening barbecue and head over to Ada for our joint fireworks show.

 
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Event Schedule

Bike & Community Parade
Parade Route: Begins at Cascade Road & Burton Street, heads west on 28th Street, and ends at 28th & Thornhills Avenue. See map above.
Bike Parade: 9 am
Community Parade: Immediately follows

Parade staging begins at 7:30 am at Thornapple Covenant Church. Registration required.
Bike parade staging begins at 8 am at Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church. No registration required.

Street Fair & Festival

10:30 am – 2 pm
Friendship Park, Jacksmith Avenue, and surrounding properties
Enjoy:

  • Inflatables and kids’ rides in the Noto’s parking lot
  • Food trucks lining the street
  • Live music at the pavilion
  • Hands-on activities and entertainment
Book Sale

8 am – 3 pm
Wisner Center & Library Parking Lot
Hosted by Friends of the Library. Proceeds support the Cascade Branch of KDL.

Fireworks Show

6:30 pm: Live music at Legacy Park (Ada)
Fireworks to follow shortly after the band finishes at dark
Amway Headquarters, 7575 Fulton St. E, Ada
Cascade and Ada Townships co-host this evening finale. Bring a blanket and enjoy the show! Best viewed anywhere in downtown Ada.


Parade Participation

Bike Parade (No Registration Required)
Kids and families are encouraged to decorate non-motorized wheels including bikes, scooters, wagons, and strollers.
Meet at 8 am outside Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church (6655 Cascade Rd SE)
Reminder: Riders under 14 must wear a helmet, per Township ordinance.

Community Parade (Registration Required)
All floats and walking groups must pre-register.
Meet at 7:30 am at Thornapple Covenant Church (6595 Cascade Rd SE)
Register Here by Friday, June 26


Additional Information

  • From the intersection of Cascade Road and Burton Street proceeding east on Cascade Road to 28th Street, then proceeding west on 28th Street ending at Thornhills Drive will be closed from 8:15 am to 10:45 am for the parade. The route is marked in red on the map above.
  • Jacksmith Avenue will be closed to traffic for a safe, walkable festival space from 7:30 am to 3 pm for set up and removal of equipment and the street fair operation from 10:30 am to 2 pm.
  • Cascade Township offices will be closed Friday, July 4 in observance of the holiday.

Before registering review the official rules on the registration form. If you have questions, please contact the Township at 616-949-1500, or email reception@cascadetwp.com.

PDF Icon4th of July Participants Policy

PDF Icon4th of July Non Profit Participation Application
 


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View the

Ceremony Program
Guest Speaker Profile

Cascade Township invites the community to its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 am Monday, May 26, outside the Cascade Library, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE. 

Guest speaker will be Ron Jansen, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and author of 'An Otherwise Healthy Person: A Marine's Story of Going to Fallujah and Fighting to Come Home'.

Officiating the ceremony will be Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance, with Tim Dieffenbach of Thornapple Community Church providing the invocation. 

The event will also recognize members of McDonald-Osmer Post #451 of the American Legion, and include a color guard of 3rd Michigan Infantry Co. F Civil War reenactors, a flag raising by Scouting America Troop 345, and music by the Forest Hills Central High School Jazz Band.


Cascade's Metro Cruise &

Metro Cruise Warm Up

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Cascade is now partnering with the official Metro Cruise organization for the Warmup!
 

Local car enthusiasts will once again show off their vintage wheels at the Cascade Metro Cruise Warm-Up on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 from 4–8 pm in the parking lot of the Fowling Warehouse Grand Rapids! This free event is a collaboration between the Cascade Township DDA and MetroCruise. 

Visitors can expect to see as many as 150 unique autos from days gone by during the event. This event also features activities that will entertain the whole family, including balloon sculpting; live music, food trucks; and a merchandise tent selling Metro Cruise-related attire.   

Interested in showing off your wheels? Registration is first-come, first-served the day of the event.  Organizers will also be handing out commemorative 2024 Metro Cruise Warm-Up dash plaques to participants. The quantity is limited, so get there early! 

Join us Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 12–7 pm at the same location for the MetroCruise Pit Stop Event, run by the official MetroCruise!

For more information contact: Manager Jade Smith at
616-949-1500 or by email at: jsmith@cascadetwp.com.

Visit: www.facebook.com/CascadeMetroCruiseWarmUp
 

Cascade Heritage Festival - September 14, 2024 5-9 pm

 

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Celebrate the unique character and history of this area on September 14, 2024 at the Cascade Heritage Festival. Now in its fourth year, this free, all-ages community event will move to the street and grounds of the Township's recently acquired Stone House at 2781 Orange Ave.
 
The event will include a beer and wine tent, food trucks, tours of the Stonehouse, art by AllArtWorks, and live music from Scooter McGee.  Additionally, the Cascade Museum and Cascade Christian Church Chapel will be open for attendees to learn Cascade’s rich history. 
 

Tree Lighting Ceremony - December 1, 2024 4:30-6:30 pm

 

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Gather at the historic Township Hall for an afternoon of holiday cheer! Starting at 4:30, enjoy festive carols from the Original Dickens Carolers and greet Santa as he arrives in style on a Cascade Fire truck.

Tree will be lit at 5 pm.

Don’t miss this beloved Cascade tradition, perfect for all ages!


 

Christmas at the Stonehouse - December 14, 2024 4-6 pm

 

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Celebrate the holiday season with Santa, a firetruck visit, hot cocoa, cookies, ornament-making, and more! Plus, take part in our holiday raffle and make cards for local seniors. 

While this is a free family event, we ask you bring a new, unopened toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. Stop by any time for festive fun for the whole family at the historic Stonehouse at 2781 Orange Ave SE.