It is hard to imagine that it has been more than 10+ years since a Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids executive gathered a bunch of funny locals and comics to share they wanted to start a comedy festival.
In those days, we had a few places around town that would feature comics, but nothing like we have today, as open mic nights for comics and comedy acts take to area stages all over the city. And to be honest, we can thank LaughFest for playing a role in this unexpected development.
However, for most folks, LaughFest is a shot of good medicine where laughter is dispensed over eleven days in a host of ways from headlining acts to community-driven productions that leave the heart a bit warmer. LaughFest is a festival we didn’t know we needed until it arrived and for that, we are grateful as a community for their years of making our community a bit lighter.
By choosing to celebrate laughter for the health of it, LaughFest through comedy, performance, film, and a variety of seriously funny stuff this annual event also benefits cancer, grief and support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.
For their tenth year line-up, there are comics making their Grand Rapids debut to the return of many LaughFest favorites. For a complete schedule of all the events happening and within everyone’s budget please visit
LaughFestGR.org
Editor’s note: On March 11, Rapid Growth’s very own Publisher Tommy Allen will be returning to produce with the Emmy Award-winning Teresa Thome of Fubble Entertainment their “
No Laughing Matter” production. This free event that features local writers, comedians, artists, storytellers, reminds all of us that even in the worst of times, there’s always something funny. This night of fresh stories is heart-wrenching, brutally honest, touching stories, and most of all, a wicked funny night at Creston Brewery’s Golden Age Room.