The first day of ArtPrize will feature a Bob Ross look-alike competition. Ross hosted The Joy of Painting on PBS from 1983 - 1994.

The Bob Ross look-alike contest is part of the Community Arts Celebration on September 23 in Grand Rapids. The first 500 people to register will receive a free Bob Ross wig.

The new Community Arts Celebration will also include performances at Rosa Parks Circle from the GVSU Marching Band and the GVSU Dance Company.

Registration is available now and will also be available at the tent in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum beginning at 6PM on September 23.

Following the Rosa Parks Circle performances, the marching band, dancers and Nerd Walk participants will march through downtown and across the Blue Pedestrian Bridge to GVSU's Eberhard Center where the band will perform again.

Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas and Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell will both attend the event. GVSU's Louie the Laker will also be there.

6:25PM — Opening remarks by ArtPrize officials

6:30PM — Laker Marching Band and Dance Company perform

6:45PM — Laker Marching Band, Dance Company and Nerd Walk march to Eberhard Center

6:50PM — Proclamation by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell

6:55PM — ArtPrize Education Days announcement

7PM — PBS Bob Ross look-alike contest

7:30PM — Concert by the Reely Keely Trio

WGVU/PBS Nerd Walk participants are encouraged to embrace their own uniqueness with horn-rimmed glasses, magic wands, lightsabers, mystical hammers and capes while marching the streets of Grand Rapids.

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