5K Run and First Annual Golf Outing Planned For Muskegon Heights Festival in the Park

Andrew Trzaska | April 9, 2012

With two months remaining until the 30th annual Muskegon Heights Festival in the Park, particulars about the event are starting to come to light.  Among the newest details, a 5K run and walk will again be part of the festival after many years of absence.

The 5K’s route is being finalized according to mayor pro tem Kimberly Sims, but it has been confirmed that the 5K will start at Broadway & Baker Street.  The run will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with the walk to follow. Registration for both will begin at 7:30.

The timing of the festival makes it the last 5K before the annual Seaway Run, which the festival’s organizers hope will spur interest.  Sims and city staff also indicated that the festival would be contacting organizers of other run and walk vents in the area to invite those events’ usual participants to run the Heights 5K.

Joining the 5K run will be the Festival’s first annual golf outing, to be held at Grand View Golf Course in New Era.

The Festival In The Park golf outing is set to start at 8:30 a.m. with registration from 7:45 – 8:15 a.m.   The cost to golf is $60 per player and includes a steak dinner prepared by Executive Chef Catering. Foursomes can be registered ahead of time.  Entry forms can be obtained from and registrations delivered to:

Jimmie Fox (231) 288-8668
Rev. Dwayne Banks (231) 215-0692

Details about each night’s festivities at its main location in Rowan Park were also shared at Monday’s City Council meeting. The first night will be a youth-focused night. No alcohol will be served, as confirmed by the approval of a liquor license Monday by the city council only for the second, third and fourth nights. Th0se next three nights will feature different music genres, according to festival coordinator Mimi Rankin.

Thursday will be gospel night, Friday will focus on blues and Saturday will feature jazz music.

Rankin stated that the festival committee welcomes new members, and indicated the festival meets every Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. in the Muskegon Heights City Hall council chambers.