HUDSONVILLE, Mich.—The City of Hudsonville hopes to enter the record books with the help of lots of lettuce.

 As part of the new summer festival “Saladbowl Bash,” the city will try to set a world record for the longest continuous salad bar.  Organizers plan to create a salad bar that’s 680 feet long and features produce grown in Hudsonville.

The Saladbowl Bash, organized by the city and Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place July 27.  Judges will officially measure the salad bar at 10:45 a.m. before the community is invited to dig in.  The festival will also feature free activities for children, food vendors, a spelling bee pitting students against adults, live music, a singing competition, dog shows and Zumba demonstrations.

Vendors who would like to participate can find an application here.

GRANDVILLE, Mich.—The Applebee’s at 4488 Potomac Ave. SW is celebrating its grand re-opening.

On Thursday, June 13, Mayor James Buck joined the restaurant’s owners and athletes of Grandville High School in cutting the ribbon on the newly renovated restaurant.

As part of the celebration, 20% of all lunch sales from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day was donated to the Grandville Athletic Boosters. Applebee’s new owners, Team Schostak Family Restaurants, also presented a $2,500 check to St.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- There is no question 2012 was great year for Grand Rapids and beer.

A record number of breweries opened, including Eastown’s Harmony, Mitten Brewing, and Grand Rapids Brewing Company as well as both Pike 51 and White Flame in Hudsonville, Perrin in Comstock Park and Rockford Brewing Company. Additionally, Grand Rapid’s most successful brewery, Founders, celebrated their 15 year anniversary in style which included the release of their 15% Bolt Cutter Barleywine. But perhaps the defining moment in 2012 was the nomination and securing of the title Beer City USA in a tied vote along with previous year victors Asheville, North Carolina.

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