Forest Hills Central Graduation
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LMCU Ballpark is well acquainted with the logistics required to juggle thousands of people driving hundreds of cars making dozens of different requests. After all, the facility staff performs these duties more than 60 times each summer during West Michigan Whitecaps home games.

It’s one of the reasons why LMCU Ballpark is such a popular Grand Rapids event venue. Baseball fans love to hear crack of the bat, smell fresh popcorn, and watch Saturday night fireworks shows.

A happy fan enjoys a Whitecaps game in the summer sun.

Of course, LMCU Ballpark is much more than just a minor league baseball facility. Each year, West Michigan’s largest outdoor event space also serves as a graduation venue for area high schools, colleges, and universities. And as trade show and conference venue for local businesses and organizations. And as a carnival and fair venue. And more.

In fact, LMCU Ballpark can even host all of those events at the same time.

For example, that will be the case during the week of May 16, 2022, when LMCU Ballpark will have the opportunity to simultaneously hold the following events over the course a seven-day span:

  • Three high school commencement ceremonies
  • One carnival
  • One business show
  • One high school baseball game

“It’s never boring at LMCU Ballpark!” Special Events Manager April Butler said. “You might find Mike (Klint, Facility Events Manager) attending to a high school game or a carnival in the parking lot, while Chelsea (VanderWal, Special Events Coordinator) is taking care of a meeting in the Stadium Club, and I’m wrangling in the logistics of a company picnic.

“The Whitecaps are a team, both on and off the field, and so is our staff. When it comes to special events, we are experts in all types of events and creating memorable, turnkey experiences for our guests.”

RELATED LINK: LMCU Ballpark Event Calendar

When It Comes to Graduation Venues, LMCU Ballpark Makes the Grade

With its ability to accommodate thousands of families, faculty, and friends, LMCU Ballpark has been a popular outdoor graduation venue for many years – and 2022 is certainly no different. The week of May 16 kicks off with private commencement ceremonies that are sure to be memorable for students from these local schools:

  • May 16: Forest Hills Northern High School
  • May 17: Forest Hills Central High School
  • May 18: Forest Hills Eastern High School  
FHC Class of 2021 celebration

Later that week, the Forest Hills Northern baseball team also is scheduled to face Unity Christian High School at 4 p.m. on May 20. The two high school teams will have the privilege of playing on one of the best surfaces in all of minor league baseball, along with access to the following LMCU Ballpark features:

  • Stadium quality audio system
  • State-of-the-art LED videoboard
A player for GRCC couldn’t be happier to be playing on the field at LMCU Ballpark.

The Whitecaps are far from the only sports team that gets to take the field at LMCU Ballpark. Each year, a variety of high school and college teams get an opportunity to make a lifetime of memories playing at the same facility where hundreds of future Major League Baseball players have gotten their starts.  

LMCU Ballpark is Versatile Enough to Serve as Both a Conference and Carnival Venue

The busy week at LMCU Ballpark continues when not one, but two unique events simultaneously start on May 19:

The Carnival at Whitecaps Stadium

The carnival experience is fun for all ages.

From May 19-May 23, families can enjoy carnival rides, games, and fun for all ages. Carnival rides will require between 3-6 tickets, with the exception of the popular “Top Gun” attraction, which requires either 12 tickets or an unlimited ride wristband plus four additional tickets.

Individual tickets will be available for 4-for-$5. Sheets of 50 tickets will be $50. Unlimited ride wristbands also can be purchased for $30 either on-site or ahead of the event. Please note that height restrictions for rides may apply. To purchase tickets in advance, please click here.

Master Spas Spring Show

From May 19-May 22, Master Spas of West Michigan will host its annual memorial sale featuring more than $1 million worth of inventory from many of its top brands and paratners. Some of the great deals that will be available to attendees include $500-$1,000 off select spas and $1,000-$2,500 off swim spas (Please note that spring show deals cannot be combined with other discounts or factory offers.)

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