EAST LANSING, Mich. — Community members are invited to join downtown East Lansing businesses in welcoming back Michigan State University (MSU) students at the City’s Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza event on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 6-11 p.m.
Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza: A Night to Eat, Shop and Explore Downtown East Lansing has been a signature fall welcome event for new and returning students and faculty at MSU since 2021. Participating downtown East Lansing businesses will line the sidewalks, offering student deals, giveaways and entertainment.
“This event provides a great opportunity for students to get to know their downtown, while also providing our businesses and community with an opportunity to welcome students to East Lansing,” said East Lansing Community & Economic Development Specialist Matt Apostle. “Come join us for an unforgettable night of fun in downtown East Lansing!”
Fun activities planned for Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza include:
- Live music performances at Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court and Ann Street Plaza, on the west corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues
- Games such as inflatable jousting at Albert EL Fresco (Albert Avenue between Abbot Road and M.A.C. Avenue) and knockerball at Valley Court Park
- Meet and greets with Zeke the Wonderdog and Sparty at Fountain Square on the east corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues
- Giveaways of succulent plants at the East Lansing Marriott Plaza, 300 M.A.C. Ave.
- A hot dog eating contest hosted by University Weiner, 551 E. Grand River Ave. (located in the 500 Block alleyway)
Additionally, students can participate in the ExtravaGavenger Hunt of downtown businesses. Those who complete the hunt will receive a free event t-shirt and be entered into a drawing to win AirPods Pro or a 43” Smart TV.
The name of the event is a play-on-words, mixing “Extravaganza” and “Grand.” The event showcases the downtown East Lansing area, which spans Grand River Avenue from Valley Court Park to the 600 Block of Grand River Avenue and beyond.
This year’s Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza is hosted by the East Lansing Downtown Management Board (DMB) in partnership with Lansing 5:01, a nonprofit focused on talent attraction and retention in the Greater Lansing region. Sponsors include University Weiner, the Associated Students of Michigan State University and the MSU Residence Halls Association.
MSU students can learn about additional MSU Fall Welcome events here.