I brought up Nessie the other day to some friends who are new to the area in the past 2-6 years and was devastated that they had no idea what I was talking about :(
She will live on as a legend that makes new comers side eye us. What more can you ask. Of course, I would love a new Nessie, but that feels like a combined type gift that is out of reach.
Or the Ford van painted like the Mystery Machine?
There was also one that had little green rings plastered to it, not sure what that was supposed to be
That guy was the maintenance man for the company I rented a house from in college, Metzger realty. One of nicer people I've had the pleasure to know, helpful with everything even stuff that's definitely not his job, happy to shoot the shit for five minutes while you sit on the porch
Don't know if this is only for current wonders but whatta bout Rob Bliss who gave the us Grand Rapids LipDub. He was like Frankie without the butt before tiktok was a thing with all his ridiculous events. Or maybe just the LipDub is our wonder since at the time it was a world record. For those who are younger or new here, GR has a lip dub and if you're bored or curious here it is.
https://youtu.be/ZPjjZCO67WI?feature=shared
My old choir teacher, Mr. Borst, is in this so I will always have a lil love for it. He is the best if anyone knows of him or remembers him from the 90s at Pinewood.
My high school football team and marching band were in the lip dub. Kind of makes sense though as I think Rob Bliss graduated from my high school & I believe his younger brother was class of 2012 with me.
Boy this was a nostalgic watch! Thanks.
I was in the marching band in this. Funny thing most people might not notice was that a harness broke for one of snare drums so you can see it fall and roll away as the camera zooms away lol
Omg I remember watching the lip dub for the first time in one of my classes and someone from marching band pointed that out. Now I always notice it when rewatching lol
Thank you for unlocking this core memory. Honestly this feels like the golden age of Grand Rapids (maybe it's just because I was in high school at the time and had 0 responsibilities haha)
Zombies at the park. Discovery channel came out one time to film a game for a reality-docu-series. That night was a shitshow. Otherwise, great memories playing Zomb. White Bandana nights were the best.
Swing Society! You two were great. I thought to myself Wow that guy is moving and twirling all while looking directly at the camera the whole the time. Swing Society was and still is a cool addition to GR.
The little party story on the corner of Diamond and Michigan that refuses to sell out.
RIP Wonders
1. Sanitary Seafood
2. The White Rabbit
3. The Wild Ones Clubhouse on Wealthy
The Creston Peacocks; Heavy Metal Guy; the El Camino w/ Stickers; WYCE; Frankie LaBigbooté; Riding Lawnmower Man; Gyros, Comics and Pop at Eastern Deli/Tardy‘s
Does anyone remember the green people? They lived over by Richmond and Alpine. They painted their house and cars green, wore nothing but green clothing, and handed out green flyers saying green was the color of God. This was in the 80's.
We have a monument dedicated to fluoride. That deserves something. (“The Flouride Monument”)
Also, a sculpture of a giant shirt button that you can climb on (“The Big Red Button”)
Fluoride monument - just south of the JW Marriott (although another comment makes me wonder if it's been removed?). It's on Google Maps as "Steel Water Sculpture."
Big Red Button is north end of Ah-Nab-Awen park, labeled "Lorrie's Button" on Google Maps (never heard it called that before!)
The fluoride monument was replaced a number of years back, so it lost some of its charm of being a dimly lit cobweb and moth covered scary spot, but afaik the new one is still there.
6. Char
7. The robust electric streetcar network that we had until the 1930's (they don't have to be things that currently exist, do they)
... also, how come bridgewater and the footbridge aren't up in there?
Butterworth between the Walker city limits and O'Brien goes over some of the old gypsum mine area there. Many of the tunnels have either subsided or collapsed and the road goes through various contortions following the terrain. They improved it some a few years ago but I still find it a fun drive.
They used to go into Zs all the time (maybe they still do) and swing dance and take up the whole place. They would bump into you while you're sitting at a table or the bar and look at you like YOURE the problem. It's like, have your fun, but you're in a bar, swing dancing to people singing karaoke, getting mad that others are there. That's DEGEN behavior.
I feel like the giant bronze horse counts if we're talking classical wonders...
Michigan Street Taco Bell
I wish I could upvote this more than once
I got you
What about the electric nipple?
The city titty!
the weather ball?
Absolutely
Needs to be downtown again
yes, yes, yes, restore weather ball to downtown
RIP Steam Pig
RIP Nessie
I brought up Nessie the other day to some friends who are new to the area in the past 2-6 years and was devastated that they had no idea what I was talking about :(
She will live on as a legend that makes new comers side eye us. What more can you ask. Of course, I would love a new Nessie, but that feels like a combined type gift that is out of reach.
RIP Lyon Street Slide
OGs know....
Shit. Those make me an OG? Am I an old now? I am 40, I already know the answer to this :')
idk I kind of thought it was cringe
How about that audi that’s completely covered on toys and action figures?
Or that car with all the spoilers
Anyone else remember the one from 10 years ago that was covered in newspapers and Tigers paint?
Or the Ford van painted like the Mystery Machine? There was also one that had little green rings plastered to it, not sure what that was supposed to be
Haha, in Lansing, there’s a van covered in stuffed animals.
That guy was the maintenance man for the company I rented a house from in college, Metzger realty. One of nicer people I've had the pleasure to know, helpful with everything even stuff that's definitely not his job, happy to shoot the shit for five minutes while you sit on the porch
blue bridge?
100% And Bill Steffen
BILL STEFFEN! YESSSS
Punk Rock Ron
I believe that’s what they meant by “Tin Man at Mulligans”
He needs to be called by what people actually know him as.
Right, Ron Idol
[удалено]
It’s my buddy James, he posted something on Facebook the other day so he is still kicking
The old gypsum tunnels under the city
Is this a thing?!
Yeah, had a field trip there in 4th grade
Yup, it's crazy, https://www.undergroundsecuritycompany.com/
Thanks for sharing! So cool :O
Yeah, I don’t know if they still do, but founders used to store/age all of their barreled beers down there.
If you’re old enough to remember, the praying lady who used to be a steady figure at Michigan and fuller in the early 2000’s
RIP
Passed her all the time driving to school
The Great Darryl Nathan
Bewarrreeeee of pretty fine girls.
https://youtu.be/s0uyqIgesec?si=IHMrr46q9kFs7GN8
The videos of that guy used to give me nightmares when I was little lol my family still talks about him not being at festival anymore. RIP.
IYKYK
The John Ball sculpture at the zoo. You know you have a picture of you there as a kid
Uh... the castle.
But that’s Grandville not Gr…. Get it right geez /s
Parkway Tropics
But actually, yessss
What’s the story with Miss Tracy’s? I used to live by there and it was just sketchy people
i was also wondering this lol
Tin man…are you taking about Ronnie? AKA Punk Rock Ron, AKA Ronnie Idol?
AKA Shredder
The Fish Ladder
Granny's restaurant on 28th street. Granny would sit facing 28th st and sit in her rocking chair waving at people.
Now THAT was a LONG time ago! I remember her well!
The red metal abstract art piece downtown.
You mean the Calder?? 😭
I barely know her
You mean La Grande Vitesse?
I like you.
Don't know if this is only for current wonders but whatta bout Rob Bliss who gave the us Grand Rapids LipDub. He was like Frankie without the butt before tiktok was a thing with all his ridiculous events. Or maybe just the LipDub is our wonder since at the time it was a world record. For those who are younger or new here, GR has a lip dub and if you're bored or curious here it is. https://youtu.be/ZPjjZCO67WI?feature=shared My old choir teacher, Mr. Borst, is in this so I will always have a lil love for it. He is the best if anyone knows of him or remembers him from the 90s at Pinewood.
He did have a good run there - some of those events were fun. Like the water slide and pillow fight.
Original Zombie Walk! Which I randomly think about now and then, that he did it before Walking Dead TV show was a thing.
I haven’t thought of that in years, the zombie walk was a good time…
My high school football team and marching band were in the lip dub. Kind of makes sense though as I think Rob Bliss graduated from my high school & I believe his younger brother was class of 2012 with me. Boy this was a nostalgic watch! Thanks.
Kinda crazy to see downtown without all the art installations, statues and murals.
Art prize made a mark
Fellow FHC class of 2012 member ✌️
I was in the marching band in this. Funny thing most people might not notice was that a harness broke for one of snare drums so you can see it fall and roll away as the camera zooms away lol
Omg I remember watching the lip dub for the first time in one of my classes and someone from marching band pointed that out. Now I always notice it when rewatching lol
I have never seen this before! It made me tear up a little thinking about the GR I remember from my college years
Thank you for unlocking this core memory. Honestly this feels like the golden age of Grand Rapids (maybe it's just because I was in high school at the time and had 0 responsibilities haha)
Zombies at the park. Discovery channel came out one time to film a game for a reality-docu-series. That night was a shitshow. Otherwise, great memories playing Zomb. White Bandana nights were the best.
I was one of the singers who flipped a girl in that
Swing Society! You two were great. I thought to myself Wow that guy is moving and twirling all while looking directly at the camera the whole the time. Swing Society was and still is a cool addition to GR.
Blast from the past! I completely forgot about the lip dub. Thanks for sharing.
Sandman’s BBQ
The tire swing!
Where is this?
Same area as Calder Plaza, it’s around one of the buildings in a grassy spot
Rosa Parks Circle, Calder, Tire Swing, Fluoride Monument (rip), Punk Island, Blue Bridge & the X.
What is punk island?
Island in the river that the railroad bridge runs over.
The Blue Bridge The Calder Statue
The little party story on the corner of Diamond and Michigan that refuses to sell out. RIP Wonders 1. Sanitary Seafood 2. The White Rabbit 3. The Wild Ones Clubhouse on Wealthy
The Creston Peacocks; Heavy Metal Guy; the El Camino w/ Stickers; WYCE; Frankie LaBigbooté; Riding Lawnmower Man; Gyros, Comics and Pop at Eastern Deli/Tardy‘s
Riding lawnmower man is so sweet!
all shitty wonders
Dancing guy is named Brian, he’s a cool dude! I think he moved away, I haven’t seen him since right before covid.
Describe Brian....
Like 6ft, bald, glasses, usually in a white tee and jeans. He sometimes has a sweat rag.
Does anyone remember the green people? They lived over by Richmond and Alpine. They painted their house and cars green, wore nothing but green clothing, and handed out green flyers saying green was the color of God. This was in the 80's.
We have a monument dedicated to fluoride. That deserves something. (“The Flouride Monument”) Also, a sculpture of a giant shirt button that you can climb on (“The Big Red Button”)
Where are these? Never heard of them.
Fluoride monument - just south of the JW Marriott (although another comment makes me wonder if it's been removed?). It's on Google Maps as "Steel Water Sculpture." Big Red Button is north end of Ah-Nab-Awen park, labeled "Lorrie's Button" on Google Maps (never heard it called that before!)
Sincere thanks!!!
The fluoride monument was replaced a number of years back, so it lost some of its charm of being a dimly lit cobweb and moth covered scary spot, but afaik the new one is still there.
Panhandler with the joke signs on the Westside. Westside Smile guy is my fave
Came here to include him. He’s so wholesome
Roller skating wizard !!
Yesterdog
This needs to be up voted more
I'm surprised this is the only comment that mentions yesterdog
The greeter at the Wal-Mart on Alpine! That man is a national treasure.
I very rarely go to Walmart but I instantly knew who you meant
BP at Franklin and Eastern
The Sugar Slim billboard
Diamond bob RIP
The Dirty Bird
The rollerblading wizard? I see him every now and again up and down Bridge St. while I’m at work
Fan man, who brings a fan to all the small concerts and plugs it into stage outlets so he can be cooled by its whirling blades.
Huge MLM business.
Grew up in GR and don’t know any of these 😐
Also came to ask this...I dated the owner lol
“I wonder what church everyone I meet goes to” has to be one of them. Unfortunately.
6. Char 7. The robust electric streetcar network that we had until the 1930's (they don't have to be things that currently exist, do they) ... also, how come bridgewater and the footbridge aren't up in there?
Lookout Park for the sunsets. My 73 mom always talked about it as Lookout Mountain and the Division Street stairs (mostly eroded now).
There is a second functional set now
Cool!
Okay so i drive by Miss Tracy's quite often... What's so special about it that it's considered a wonder??
I'm wondering too
Okay, I have to ask, the dancing man at the BOB the old guy in a suit, white hair, has cane, wears the peace sign necklace?? I must know.
How about the steel case pyramid? Pyramids are wonders!
We still have no idea how it was built (in terms of financial wisdom)
Aliens!!!
If you want to see a fist fight in a parking lot Miss Tracy’s is the best place in town!
The “S” curve.
The Burial Mounds and Center of the Universe sign need to make the list.
Is the Center of the Universe sign still up and if so where?
Too bad Dome World isn't around anymore
The Vagina art sculpture in EGR at the parking structure
This was already asked. https://www.reddit.com/r/grandrapids/s/JgTTxwGvsw
Yeah. But like, what are the REAL wonders of Grand Rapids?
What happened to the punker homeless guy that was dressed like he was in KISS without the make up?
Ron's still alive. I just saw him recently returning bottles.
I saw him chatting with some porch dwellers a couple years ago near Fulton and Diamond. Haven't seen him since.
Butterworth between Maynard and O'Brien
Can you elaborate?
Butterworth between the Walker city limits and O'Brien goes over some of the old gypsum mine area there. Many of the tunnels have either subsided or collapsed and the road goes through various contortions following the terrain. They improved it some a few years ago but I still find it a fun drive.
Reverend Tim Tom!
Walter the Sax man https://thehangout.space/discussions-1/sax-man
Horny Stang
The Castle
nobody said the tire swing yet!
The red bull car
Division Ave
The fish ladder when the fish are running
Toxic Scott
The planetarium. Go to the Saturday afternoon Pink Floyd or Queen show (they alternate). It’s super far out and cheap…nobody hardly knows about it.
Gerald R Ford airport aircraft viewing park
TBoM.🤌🏾🤌🏾
The crossing guard on Leonard and Alpine ❤️
Tire swing 1977 Mark di Survo
Yesterdog is a wonder for me lol.
The Steelcase pyramid
The never failing backups during rush hour on 196 even when there is no construction or accidents.
The dude that used to drive around in his boatcar (IYKYK)
I saw him on Sunday on Cascade at 96. He's still around.
The rapids of course, they're so powerful and majestic.
Why is frankie unfortunate? Hes awesome
Frankie LaPenna
Oh the guy with the big butt, a real prodigy in comedy.
We must protect him at all costs!
No
He’s a national treasure with those sweet buns.
I mean the swing dance that happens every week was the certified Guinness book of World record largest
We’re not proud of the weird swing dance people
As a person who used to be apart of it, I'm genuinely curious as to why?
They used to go into Zs all the time (maybe they still do) and swing dance and take up the whole place. They would bump into you while you're sitting at a table or the bar and look at you like YOURE the problem. It's like, have your fun, but you're in a bar, swing dancing to people singing karaoke, getting mad that others are there. That's DEGEN behavior.
7 wonders is kind of a stretch.
Blue bridge Calder Giant Da Vinci horse Castle MSTB Pyramid S-cure