The best part about summer? Not having anything to do. The worst part about summer? Not having anything to do.
As great as relaxing is, if you’re anything like me sometimes you just need to get out and do something! Being on a budget limits what events I go to and look for. I like to go to things that combine multiple experiences or events for the most bang for my buck. I really enjoy local events where I can meet local vendors, people, and enjoy my town.
Tanger Outlets offers local events at their locations throughout the summer across the country and Canada. To find an event near you head to TangerOutlets.com and pick a Tanger location. After that, click “EVENTS” located in the upper right corner and select what month you want to see events for. A list will populate with all of the events occurring that month at that Tanger location. Read below for details about my experience at a Tanger event this summer!
I had the opportunity to go to the West Michigan Chalk Art Festival hosted at the Grand Rapids, MI Tanger Outlets location. The Grand Rapids area is known for artistry and design. After driving around the area Thursday night, I could sense the industrial and art influences the town picked up and built itself on. It’s a very hip, modern, and upbeat area with so much to experience.
The festival took place over a Friday and Saturday at Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids. Artists, novices, and children took a stab at creating chalk art on the concrete pathways throughout the center. Friday, I was extremely impressed with the amount of people that were already beginning their creations. Outlines and grids graced the pathways in between Tanger’s stores. Family and friends surrounded artists supporting them and providing assistance.
The best part about the festival besides the sense of community was watching the progression of art over the two days. By Saturday morning, familiar faces crowded the pathways again. I went back to see a few of my favorite pieces I saw Friday to see the finishing touches. I was amazed that this was just chalk and concrete! Some pieces looked realistic and 3D from shadowing and other techniques. I loved looking at the original photos and seeing the finished product come alive.
A great part about the event being at Tanger is that you could shop amazing summer deals, grab a quick snack, and watch in awe as artists crafted their pieces. It was truly a 3 in 1 event that I won’t soon forget! The sense of community, art, and approachability was inspiring. I left Grand Rapids feeling refreshed and renewed; I highly recommend getting out and about to experience something new and get involved with your community!
I hope this recap of the event at Grand Rapids shows you how multifaceted a trip to Tanger can be. Community, shopping, and summer fun seamlessly come together for great events at an even greater location. Don’t forget to tag me in your summer fun adventures @TangerOutlets with #StudentLife. Questions or general thoughts? Comment below!
