Elvis Memorial Car Show & Tribute Concert

Elvis fans don’t need to travel for Graceland to get a dose of “the King of Rock ‘N Roll” or search Kalamazoo, MI for “Elvis sightings”- they only need to head to the Gilmore Car Museum, in Hickory Corners, MI!

The 24th annual Elvis Memorial Car Show & Tribute Concert will be held at Museum this Saturday, August 15 from 9 am - 5 pm. This popular event is a great way to relive memories- or even make a few- from the bygone era of poodle skirts, fast cars and the King of Rock ‘N Roll. Bring your own classic car or simply come to enjoy the car show, and be sure you bring a lawn chair for the high-energy Elvis tribute concert. Noted Elvis tribute artist Darrel Hagel, a past winner at the esteemed Collingwood Elvis Festival in Canada, is back this year by popular demand. Hagel will take the stage for a special “Vegas Style” concert salute to the King, performing Elvis’ hits from the 50’s, his movies and his live Las Vegas shows.

The Elvis Memorial Car Show marks the 32nd anniversary of the death of Presley, who passed away at the age of 42 on August 16, 1977. The 90-acre park-like setting of the Gilmore Car Museum will play host to hundreds of sports cars, street machines, stock and antique cars, muscle cars, and 4 x 4’s, as well as custom and Pro Street vehicles. Presented by the Rod Benders Car Club of West Michigan for the 24th year, the Saturday car show and swap meet is open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm, with the tribute concert taking place in the afternoon.

Special discounted spectator admission is $8.00 per day, with those under 11 admitted free. Guests will be able to tour the world-class collection of nearly 200 extraordinary vehicles in Gilmore Car Museum at no extra charge. For the remainder of the 2009 season the Museum is also featuring the all-new exhibit, "History - 1/4 Mile at a Time," featuring vehicles from some of the most iconic names in drag racing history – “Big Daddy” Don Garltis, Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick, Kalamazoo’s Jerry Arnold, and E. J. Potter – aka “The Michigan Madman,” just to name a few.

The Gilmore Car Museum is located just 20 minutes northeast of Kalamazoo on M-43 and Hickory Road. To learn more about the Gilmore Car Museum visit wmta.org or www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org.

For more great events this weekend, visit wmta.org's event calendar!

Reptile Weekend at Binder Park Zoo this weekend!

This weekend, gather up your little naturalist and slither out to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek to help welcome back over 100 different reptiles and amphibians from around the world for the 26th annual Reptile Weekend event.

Reptiles and amphibians are often shunned for their sliminess and scales, but contrary to what most people think, reptiles and amphibians play a vital role in our environment. Visit Binder Park Zoo for Reptile Weekend and take part in exposing these misconceptions. This year’s event will feature three of the world’s largest snakes: the anaconda, Burmese python and the reticulated python. Guests will also see animals like the alligator snapping turtle, monitor lizards and various species of frogs!

“Our focus for Reptile Weekend is on the conservation and preservation of reptiles and amphibians,” states Jenny Barnett, Binder Park Zoo Director of Wildlife and Conservation. “These are greatly misunderstood creatures and with this event we are able to connect people with these unique animals to help make a difference in the way reptiles are viewed.”

Reptile Weekend is Saturday, August 1 from 9 am through 6 pm and Sunday, August 2 from 11 am through 6 pm. Reptile Weekend is included in the price of a regular Binder Park Zoo admission.

For all the great events happening in West Michigan this weekend, visit wmta.org!

West Michigan's Weekly Blog!!

First Blog Ever! We at West Michigan Tourist Association thought it would be a good idea to start a blog. This way we can show current up to date highlights of what is going on in West Michigan. Plus, this way you can comment and share your experiences of what you have done while visiting the Western Half of the state.



Coming up this summer- West Michigan has tons upon tons of festivals, events, concerts, etc. to make plans to attend! West Michigan locals and visitors alike look foward to attending Tulip Time in Holland is celebrating their 79th year of good ol' Dutch Heritage. Taking place May 3-10, 2008 this festival is always a terrific time for all with food, music fireworks, klompen dancers and street scrubbers. New this year is Tulipalooza held May 6-9. Tulipalooza will be held at the Sixth Street Stage concert area and feature FREE concerts! Artists include Pop Evil, Headed for Zen, Bronk Bros. & Headin South. Saturday, May 10, mark your calendars for the Bier & Muziek Fest that will feature "That 80's Band", Jimmy Staggard & LaSondra Leffler.


A new festival this year is the Rothbury Festival taking place on the Double JJ Ranch and Resort in Rothbury. This is a new idea featuring a number of excellent choices for bands--Dave Matthews Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse, and the list goes on and on and on. It will be great fun!



Tell us about the events you are looking foward to this summer in West Michigan!