10 Things to Do this Weekend: May 5-7

It’s the first weekend in May. We kick it off on Friday with Cinco de Mayo! There are a lot of outdoor activities for Saturday...including World Naked Gardening Day. It might be a little chilly for gardening in the buff with temps in the 50's. Here are 10 things you can do around west Michigan this weekend — both inside and out!

Some activities include the kids, while others are more for the adults.

Click on the event title for additional information.

1
Cinco de Mayo
Various locations and times
Friday, May 5th, 2017
A lot of people refer to this day as Mexico’s Independence Day. That is not the case. That Mexican holiday is celebrated on September 16th. Cinco de May is the date to commemorate the Mexican Army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Regardless, it gives us a reason to party with a few margaritas! Various locations will be having events throughout the day. Some locations to check out include Donkey Taqueria on Wealthy, The Downtown Market, Flanagan’s Irish Pub, and the Beltline Bar
2
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
8313 Pratt Lake SE Alto, MI 49302
Friday & Saturday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 Noon-6 pm
Located on 80 acres of land in Alto, Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is a unique, hands-on experience for the entire family. They officially opened for the season on April 27th. The park has a distinct collection of exotic animals and reptiles.
3
Baseball: West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Kane County Cougars
Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321
Friday, May 5th, 2017 - 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 6th, 2017 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 7th, 2017 - 1:00 pm
The West Michigan Whitecaps will host the Kane County Cougars this weekend. On Friday, enjoy half off craft beer. There will be fireworks after the game on Saturday evening. On Sunday, it is Family Sunday. The first 1,000 kids eat free.
4
Motown The Musical
DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Friday, May 5th, 2017 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 6th, 2017 - 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 7th, 2017 - 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Broadway Grand Rapids presents Motown The Musical. It is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. For ticket information, click here.
5
World Naked Gardening Day
Various locations and times
Saturday, May 6th, 2017
People across the globe are encouraged, on the first Saturday of May, to tend their portion of the world's garden unclothed as nature intended. I would suggest doing this in the privacy of your own home or yard. We don’t want the next day to be “Bail out all the people arrested for indecent exposure Sunday”
People in West Michigan Want to Garden Naked
6
Charity Walks
Various Locations and Times
There are two charity walks this weekend…
Walk to Cure Arthritis
John Ball Park, 1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Saturday, May 6th, 2017 - 8:30 am
Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 50 million people. The Arthritis Foundation is committed to finding a cure for the millions of people who suffer from arthritis pain. Walk to Cure Arthritis rallies communities and raises funds to conquer arthritis once and for all.

40th Annual ACCESS Hunger Walk
Park Church, 10 E. Park Place, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Sunday, May 7th, 2017 - 1:30 pm
The goal of the Walk is to bring together walkers, congregations, businesses, and donors to support 20 local and international non-profit organizations that are working to create a thriving food system in which all people have access to healthy and affordable food.
7
Free Comic Book Day
Various locations and times
Saturday, May 6th, 2017
Once a year, on the first Saturday in May, Comic book shops worldwide offer up free comic books. A few of the stores participating in the Grand Rapids area are Vault of Midnight Grand Rapids, The Comic Signal, Tardy's Collector's Corner, and The Outer Limits. To find a local participating comic shop near you, click here.
8
Tulip Time
Various locations and times around Holland, MI
Saturday, May 6th, 2017 - Sunday, May 14th, 2017
The annual Tulip Time Festival is back. Along with many, many tulips there are also different events schedule throughout the festival. Parades, runs, dances, shows, events, and carnivals.
9
Kentucky Derby Parties
Various locations
Saturday, May 6th, 2017 - 6:34 pm
It’s the 143rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, May 6th. Post time is 6:34 pm. Many places will be having Kentucky Derby watch parties. Just a few that I could find on Facebook are at Woodland Mall, Flat Lander’s Bar, Kent County Club, JW Marriott, Flanagan’s Irish Pub, Anchor Bar, Joey’s Tavern, and Linc Gallery
10
Playoff Hockey: Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Chicago Wolves
Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Saturday, May 6th, 2017 - 7:00 pm
The best-of-seven Central Division Finals return to the Van Andel Arena for games 3 and 4. Game 3 will be on Saturday, May 6th. Game 4 is on Monday, May 8th. Both games start at 7 pm.