DeVos Place & Grand Rapids: 10 Years Strong-Part 4

DeVos Place celebrates 10th Anniversary with Celebration

Open House, Saturday, June 13th from 10AM - 5PM. 

#FBF: 10 Years of Fun

DeVos Place® wasn't always the grand convention center in the heart of Grand Rapids that it is now. The ground upon which it was built was once treaded on by Native Americans, ironmongers, factory workers, retailers and shoppers. With such an important part in Grand Rapids history, the land and area that DeVos Place is built upon has a vibrant history all its own.

Something New

In June 1997, Grand Action, a nonprofit organization that identifies downtown revitalization projects and building, presented information regarding a convention center expansion on the Grand Center. With Grand Rapids growing into a cultural hot spot, conventions would bring business and people to the city. Through a variety of fundraising efforts, the Convention Center Ceremonial Groundbreaking took place in August 2000. The Convention Center would be named DeVos Place. In 2003, the Grand Gallery and Meijer Exhibition Hall were opened with the final addition to the building being completed in 2005 with the opening of the DeVos Place Steelcase Ballroom.

DeVos Place brings Tourism to Grand Rapids

In the ten years that DeVos Place has brought conventions, events and culture to the city, it has been the center to a variety of fun and interesting shows. From bringing a Ferris wheel into the Exhibition Hall for the Grand Opening, to thousands of rabbits for American Rabbit Breeders Association and beyond. It has also been the pinnacle of its community with thousands of people attending events and millions being spent on the city, bringing forth a true economic impact.

Celebrating 10 Years in Style

DeVos Place is celebrating with an Open House on Saturday, June 13^th from 10AM-5PM! There will be free parking, free hot dog and Pepsi® for the first 10,000 people, Ferris wheel and much more! Community organizations such as the Kent District Library, Grand Rapids Police Department, the Harbor Humane Society, and many more will be present with a variety of activities for all ages. There will also be two entertainment stages with performances such as Jump with Jill, The Diemakers, Pacific Island Dancers, Bangarang Circus and much more! For a full list of performances,  and more information about the DeVos Place 10^th Anniversary Open House, please visit our Facebook or website!

10 Reasons to be Excited for the DeVos Place 10th Anniversary Celebration Open House

DeVos Place® is celebrating 10 years since the opening of the convention center. The Open House has a lot of fun activities for you and your family. Here are 10 reasons why you should get ready for Saturday, June 13th from 10 AM - 5PM. 

#1: Fun Family Activities! 
DeVos Place’s Celebration Open House is full of family friendly activities for all ages! There will be entertainment for all with rides, activities and games from local vendors and much more!

#2: Your favorite community organizations!
Your favorite community organizations are joining us at DeVos Place to celebrate 10 great years! Some of these organizations include local favorites The Rapid, Grand Rapids Police and Fire Department, Circle Theatre, Paws with a Cause, the Kent District Library and many more! Come out and see the awesome organizations that are ready to provide a day full of fun for you and the family!

#3: Mascots, mascots, mascots!
What would a celebration be without mascots? We have a variety of your favorites stopping by the Open House, including West Michigan Whitecaps’ “Crash the River Rascal;” the Grand Rapids Griffin’s “Griff;” and Michigan State University’s “Sparty.” There will also be other characters roaming through the Open House, including Jungle Book characters from Circle Theatre, and many more. Don’t forget to take a picture with New Salem Corn Maze’s Patty the Prize Cow! Come and take a snapshot with your favorite characters at the Open House!

#4: We ♥ Animals! 
Come spend your Saturday by petting cute animals from the Critter Barn’s traveling farm. You will also get to meet our fellow K9 friends from the Grand Rapids Police Department and learn how helpful dogs are with Paws with a Cause! Pet Tales Rescue will also be there, with adoptable dogs available to check out all day! 

#5: Fun for all! 
Whether you’re here with the family or by yourself, there is an endless amount of fun at the DeVos Place 10th Anniversary Open House! Be sure to check out all of the local community organization booths and vendors. If you want some musical entertainment, check out critically-acclaimed Jump with Jill, entertainment for children that teaches them the importance of eating healthy! The Grand Rapids Children Museum will be hosting an obstacle course and providing a Lego table and the Kent District Library is bringing oversized games, keeping children and adults alike entertained!

#6: Free food!
If you’re a fan of a cold Pepsi® and a hot dog, be one of the first 10,000 people to show up to the Open House and you’ll receive them for free!

#7: A fun filled entertainment stage!
For this special 10th Anniversary, DeVos Place has an awesome line-up of talented performers to keep you busy on our entertainment stage. Performances include Alysha Sha from the DDA Buskers, Freehand Band, The Diemakers, and many more! Be sure to check out the stage with fun entertainment for all ages!* *Entertainers are subject to change.

#8: Be a Part of Grand Rapids History! 
DeVos Place and Performance Hall play a large part in Grand Rapids history. From being right in the heart of Grand Rapids and being right in the epicenter of arts and culture, DeVos Place has a vibrant history of its own. Be a part of that history and celebrate 10 years of a great partnership: Grand Rapids and DeVos Place!

#9: Prizes!
Do you like getting free stuff? So do we! A variety of organizations are giving away prizes such as tickets to local events, venues and much more! Be present at the Open House to enter and you may have a chance to win something cool!

#10: Celebrate!
DeVos Place finalized the convention center and opened its doors to the Grand Rapids community 10 years ago and it’s time to celebrate that! Come join us on Saturday, June 13th from 10 AM - 5PM! See you there!