- The numbers are in for the artists and venues taking part in this year's Artprize.
Over 1,500 artists from 40 states and 44 countries submitted entries for the 8th annual event.
They'll be displayed all around Grand Rapids, at more than 170 venues.
This year artists can raise money to support their entries through the Crowd Rise Matching Grant,” which launched yesterday. It offers $1,000 matching grants to the first 10 artists who raise $1000 from at least 10 donors.
Artprize begins September 21.
2. Attention singers!
Here's your chance to let West Michigan hear your voice.
Ionia Idol is once again looking for contestants for this year’s competition that takes place during the fair, July 17 through 20.
If you place in the top three, you'll be taking home some cash as well with first place taking home $1,500.
The deadline to register is July 6.
3. You can look to the skies tomorrow as the Battle Creek Field of Flight and Balloon Festival kicks-off.
The schedule includes daily balloon launches, games and crafts for kids, fireworks on the 4th, and the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds.
They'll be performing four times during the festival.
4. For the fellas, got a suit that doesn't fit or you don't wear anymore?
Men's Wearhouse is kicking off their annual suit drive later this week.
The company is hoping to collect at least 250 thousand clothing items throughout July, to help at-risk men who are re-entering the workforce.
This is a national drive that's happening at more than 800 locations. There are stores in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo.
The company is looking for suits, shirts, belts, and more. Then, the clothes will go to about 200 charities that will distribute them.
The drive starts on Friday and goes through July 30.
5. Pepsi will soon have new diet drink options.
Just a year after ditching aspartame, Pepsi is re-introducing the artificial sweetener.
It will be called diet Pepsi classic sweetener blend.
The drink will be on store shelves in September in 20-ounce and two-liter bottles, along with 12-packs.
Pepsi initially dumped aspartame over public concerns about the sweetener's health effects.
Now, it says consumers want choice in diet colas, so it's just adjusting to buyers tastes.
