Things to Do in Jenison

Ascending for nearly 50 feet, the indoor climbing wall—proudly proclaimed as among the tallest in Western Michigan by Aim Fitness' team—presents an array of routes, each patterned with colored grips to indicate the level of difficulty. As climbers scale the vertical expanse, a freestanding boulder sits in the middle of the room, beckoning guests to climb its reduced height sans the support of a rope. This climbing room anchors Aim Fitness' 40,000 square feet of amenities, which encompass a strength-training area, aerobic studios, a five-lane, 25-yard lap pool lifeguarded by Aquaman, and a racquetball court. Instructors also lead an array of classes on these training grounds, such as Aqua Fit, boot camp, and yoga. To make going to the gym as convenient as possible, Aim also provides locker rooms, a children's playroom, and wireless Internet access.

The Grand Rapids Wedding Affair sets brides-to-be and their fiancés loose to explore, meet, and bounce ideas off some of west Michigan's most sought-after wedding experts. Dozens of exhibitors converge to create a buffet of possibilities that range from bridal fashions, cakes, and catering to gift registries and photographers. Couples can also scope out postceremony services, including reception halls and honeymoon destinations.

At Griff's IceHouse, two blank slates invite visitors to trace their favorite shapes on an icy canvass, from giant ovals to compact figure eights. Guests may draw inspiration from Olympic figure skaters and others from the Grand Rapids Griffins, whose blades tattoo this ice while the team dishes out slap-shot sandwiches and body checks to rival teams. Snack-filled concession stands fuel glides, spins, and jumps during open-skate sessions, which welcome skaters of all levels with skate rentals and freshly smoothed ice. In addition to leading skating classes, the facility hosts lessons, camps, and league play for hockey enthusiasts and adventurous actors getting ready to audition for King Lear on Ice.

UICA fills 4,000 square feet of gallery space with innovative exhibitions by contemporary artists, screens films in a 198-seat movie theater, and organizes creative classes for youths and adults. The institute is going into its 35th year of sharing and inspiring innovative, challenging forms of visual arts, and it continues to engage the public with events such as a speaker series.

Of the many 5K events held in western Michigan, only one requires runners to sully themselves slipping down a 60-foot mudslide. The annual Grand Rapids Mud Run sends thousands of runners through a grueling and characteristically muddy 5K landscape. This year, the hosts have devised a new, one-lap course replete with slippery hill climbs, cargo nets, and fields of tires to challenge runners' endurance and grit. As adult participants––some donning costumes––sprint and stumble through the course, child runners can test their mettle in the Kids Mini Mud Run, in which competitors 12 and younger traipse through a smaller, 1-mile course. After concluding the race, runners rinse off at the course's wash station and can describe their thrilling journeys to fellow racers and earthworms they befriended during their muddy plunge.