Winter tried to sneak back in this week… but Big Rapids isn’t slowing down.

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we recap a huge community turnout for the National Championship parade, celebrate local wins in real estate and business growth, and look ahead to a packed spring calendar full of events.

We’re joined by Arthur Johnson, Director of Artworks, who shares his journey into the role, his vision for expanding access to the arts, and what’s coming next — including exciting plans to bring creative experiences out into more rural parts of the community.

We also touch on everything from new businesses opening up, to car shows, concerts, and a growing list of ways to get involved around town — plus a heartfelt moment supporting a local family in need.

0:00 – Intro & welcome (winter tries to come back ❄️)
1:23 – Shoutout to Ferris students for The Big Event 🧹
1:57 – Studio chaos with Dom and the intern 😄
2:35 – Real estate wins + Pat heads to a marriage retreat 🏡
3:25 – National Championship parade recap 🏆
3:50 – High Strung Steel at the Sawmill (Saturday) 🎶
4:45 – Detroit sports update + golf season talk ⛳
6:50 – New businesses opening soon in Big Rapids 💼
7:25 – Thanks to the Pickleball Club
8:15 – Featured Creature: Denizen Barbs (Roseline Sharks) 🐟
11:23 – Guest intro: Arthur Johnson (Artworks Director) 🎨
12:55 – Arthur’s background before Artworks
15:25 – What brought him to Big Rapids
17:55 – Transition to leadership
20:45 – Vision for Artworks moving forward
21:45 – Expanding art access to rural communities
24:30 – Artworks Gala shifting back to spring + Artstock preview
27:10 – How to support Artworks
29:05 – Thanks to Arthur for joining us
30:25 – Check out the Painted Turtle gift shop 🛍️
31:12 – Scooter accident footage debate 😬
32:33 – Big Rapids named Tree City (48th year!) 🌳
34:04 – Movie talk: Michael 🎬
36:30 – The Shark is Broken at Crossroads Auditorium
39:00 – Karaoke for a Cause (May 1) 🎤
40:55 – Farmers Market returns soon 🌱
42:05 – Blessing of the Iron Car Show (May 9) 🚗
43:50 – Mother’s Day Brunch at the Peaks 💐
46:07 – Dom’s questionable gift choice 😅
46:30 – Comedy Night at the Peaks (May 15)
50:10 – Wheatlake 5K (May 16)
50:45 – WISE 5K (May 30)
53:35 – Pocket Park Music Series begins May 29 🎶
56:00 – Free Pop-Up Medical Clinic at Ferris (May 30–31)
57:00 – Back to the Bricks (June 5)
57:57 – Summerfest (June 6) ☀️
1:00:28 – Supporting Jennifer Knowles after house fire ❤️
1:01:38 – Dom’s Corrections: Tigers stats + viral moment
1:04:15 – Outro & thanks to Arthur