GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids’ long-running Festival of the Arts is no more.

Festival organizers announced Feb. 8 that after 55 years of “celebrating the arts,” the downtown festival was “ceasing operations effective immediately.”

The tradition that began in 1970 has filled downtown Grand Rapids with hundreds of music and dance performances on multiple stages in early June, along with art displays and sales, but has experienced a variety of financial challenges as well as dependence on a shrinking army of volunteers over the years.

The decision comes after other Michigan music festivals — Faster Horses in Jackson County, Hoxeyville Music Festival and Earthwork Harvest Gathering in northern Michigan — either suspended operations after their 2024 events or have announced a hiatus for 2025.

The official statement released by Festival didn’t cite specific reasons for the decision, with Executive Director Missy Summers noting organizers are “extremely proud of what we have accomplished. You don’t put on an event the size of Festival without cooperation from the city of Grand Rapids, generosity of the community and tireless work from volunteers. While we are sad to say goodbye to Festival, it is heartwarming to see the impact it has had on our community.”

First inspired by the 1969 installation of Alexander Calder’s “La Grande Vitesse” sculpture, Festival aimed to “highlight all the arts in our area and provide access to everyone by making all performances and activities free.”

The statement added that numerous ethnic festivals continue to provide vibrancy downtown and that Festival “sunsets to new horizons being created each year in Grand Rapids.”

Many festivalgoers and performers reacted with sadness and disappointment.

“We will always have many happy memories from Festival both as a child and an adult,” Lisa Karafa wrote on Facebook. “Thank you to the countless volunteers who ensured this event was successful year after year.”

Gerald D. Perry acknowledged that he’s “very disappointed by the decision. I’d rather have Festival every year than ArtPrize. … Don’t end something that has been a staple for Grand Rapids for 55 years. I look forward to performing at Festival every year.”

Noted Sandra Van Loo Sikkel: “This makes me sad. I have been going to Festival since it began.”

Although Festival officials didn’t immediately respond to inquiries about the decision, rising expenses and fundraising shortfalls have plagued the organization in recent years, along with problems in maintaining and recruiting volunteers.

Charles Preston Smith of the Grand Rapids band PotatoeBabies has played Festival 33 times, with the band’s 2024 set on Sunday standing as the final performance in Festival’s long history.

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“My heart goes out to those hurting from this decision. My childhood, teen and young adult memories are filled with the excitement of the annual event,” he said.

“Like most Festival visitors, never knowing what goes on behind the scenes was part of the joy and mystique of the event. Over the years, learning what went into making Festival such a special event for everyone was eye-opening if not overwhelming. For most, it’s best to not know what it takes. Which is a catch-22 as making people aware is vital for support and survival of any event.

“I have to treat this much like the passing of a loved one and keep telling myself and others:  I hope the joy of fond memories swiftly outshines the pain.”

— Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.