Top 5 Cultural Celebrations in Lansing
Whether you are born and raised Michigander or a transplant to the mitten, Michigan’s capital knows how to welcome you with open arms. One of the things that makes Lansing so special are the different communities of people who celebrate one another because of their electrifying differences. Diversity – near, far and in between – is celebrated.
When the Midwest approaches the summer solstice, streets are blocked off and tents and decor are bolstered to celebrate the vibrancy of those different communities. Below are a few cultural celebrations and festivals to mark on your calendars.
Black Girl Day of Play
If you know a Black girl, love a Black girl or you are a Black girl, then this is the celebration for you. Black Girl Day of Play is a festival spreading joy and happiness across generations.
If you are a part of a Black Greek letter organization, gather your sorority sisters and start practicing ahead of the festival. The stroll-off, a friendly competition amongst the sororities of the Divine Nine, is an activity to look forward to at this festival.
Eventgoers can experience hustles, tutorials of line dances, friendly Double Dutch competitions and bounce houses, making this is a weekend celebration that emphasizes self-care through play for Black women and girls alike. A must-see is the performance by Lansing’s only majorette team, the Dazzling Diamonds, who make a statement by putting on a routine that pays homage to the dance styles traditionally practiced at historically Black colleges and universities.
This three-day event also includes a health and wellness seminar to talk about the issues that Black women and girls face physically, mentally and emotionally. It ends with a fundraising scholarship brunch that showcases the programming and sisterhood that the nonprofit develops throughout the year.
Black Girl Day of Play was founded by the nonprofit, Grit, Glam, Guts, which aims to build the self esteem, professional and personal success of young women. Although it is a one-weekend event, founder Cameo King emphasizes that joy is the center of a Black girl’s life every day, not just a single day in June.
Lansing Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in the United States. While there are a number of Juneteenth celebrations throughout the state, the Lansing Juneteenth Celebration is the oldest in Michigan. The founders of this event worked in tandem with former Governor Jennifer Granholm to advocate for Juneteenth to become recognized as a statewide holiday long before it was a federal holiday. Since 1993, the goal of this celebration has been to educate the community on the history of Juneteenth.
This includes an annual baseball game, Run/Walk/Roll 5k and an African American Parade that brings in local advocacy groups, Black Greek letter organizations, local businesses and individuals to participate. The parade leads to the festival located at St. Joseph’s Park which invites exhibitors, food stands and product vendors from across the state. The event also includes an essay contest where local students are awarded scholarships and academic tools to continue their education.
At the festivities, you can purchase African dashikis and handmade products like shea butter, clothing and cultural jewelry. The event is welcoming and is reminiscent of your favorite family cookout with classic bands and music groups performing your favorite Frankie Beverly hits. Even though it is the oldest celebration in Michigan, this festival has not lost the essence of why we celebrate Juneteenth today.
Lansing Pride Festival
With drag queens, Pride flags and ‘Love is Love’ signs everywhere, it is impossible to not feel the spirit of love that surrounds the LGBTQIA+ community at the Lansing Pride Festival. The community of Mid-Michigan draws in its neighbors and people beyond to put together its Pride festival.
Performers and singers from across the state of Michigan come together for a celebration filled with a range of entertainment for adults, kids and families. The celebration includes live musical guests, sidewalk chalk art, drag queen story hour, Preuss Pets animal interactions and a Happendance dance lesson. In addition, almost 200 vendors and businesses line the street in support of the queer community at the festivities. The festival is organized purely by volunteers who aim to showcase love, community, and inclusivity in Lansing’s Art District. They hold events all year long including pageants, bar crawls and parties, but, their Pride Festival is the largest of the year.
This festival is a shining moment for not only the Pride community but also for the Lansing community.
517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend
Hispanic heritage spans overseas from the Caribbean to Central and South America. Lansing grassroots organization, Ourspace 517 recognizes the vibrancy and culture of every country included in the Hispanic diaspora with their celebration. Ourspace 517 was founded by the people of Lansing, for the people of Lansing. They work to show people why they should stay in this vibrant community and the 517 Hispanic Heritage Weekend is just one of many ways they do this. With events all year long, this group adopts the ‘be the change you want to see in the world’ notion by the work they do for Mid-Michigan.
With local and statewide vendors, senses are heightened by the Hispanic culture that lines Michigan Avenue for miles in Downtown Lansing.
The weekend kicks off with a Pathways to Prosperity seminar which is an open discussion about entrepreneurship and financial literacy by a distinguished panel of Latinx professionals. The following day is a Bachata and Salsa mixer that teaches not only the moves but the history and culture behind the popular dance. Bring a partner or mix and mingle while learning the rhythms and movements of this dance style.
Your sense of taste is heightened on the Saturday in Downtown Lansing, giving an opportunity to support local businesses and try the different foods and flavors of Hispanic cuisine like tamales, empanadas, tacos and more. There are vendors tabling across Michigan Avenue selling Puerto Rican Pride clothing, traditional ponchos and handmade jewelry. Don’t forget to take a picture in front of the flag banner that depicts every Hispanic country. The festival has musical entertainment provided by local DJs and bands, as well as dances in the street provided by Joyas de Mexico Ballet Folklorico, a Michigan-based art organization that aims to preserve Hispanic roots through traditional dance. The festival also includes a lucha libre, a type of Mexican wrestling match that often features high-flying stunts, acrobatic moves, and tag team wrestling. The weekend wraps up with a lively Latin Jazz Night put on by a live band.
About the Author: Rachelle Legrand is a magazine writer, news reporter and television host based in Lansing, Michigan. rachellelegrand.com