Lansing 5:01 partners with City of East Lansing to welcome MSU students and community residents to vibrant downtown amenities and experiences

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Community members and families 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, faculty, and staff at MSU since 2021. Participating downtown East Lansing businesses will line the sidewalks, offering student deals, giveaways, and entertainment. Lansing 5:01 is proud to partner with the City of East Lansing and MSU to showcase one of the region’s most vibrant downtown corridors.

“Lansing 5:01 is thrilled to highlight area businesses and community attractions in downtown East Lansing while welcoming MSU students and staff as they prepare to begin the fall semester,” said Christopher Sell, Executive Director at Lansing 5:01. “Downtown East Lansing has grown substantially over the last several years, and continues to be a dynamic hub for entrepreneurs, creatives, and college graduates. ExtravaGRANDza aligns well with our vision for showcasing the best of Lansing to Lansing’s future.”  

“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. “With so many activities planned throughout the downtown area, we’re planning for yet another unforgettable night of fun in downtown East Lansing.”  

Activities planned for this year’s 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, attendees 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 Lansing 5:01 in partnership with the East Lansing Downtown Management Board (DMB), and made possible in part by generous support from Michigan State University, a presenting sponsor, as well as the Associated Students of Michigan State University, the MSU Residence Halls Association, and University Weiner. All Lansing 5:01 events and programming are made possible by their 2023 sponsors and employer partners, including: Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Auto-Owners Insurance, CATA, City of East Lansing, City of Lansing, Emergent BioSolutions, Eyde Development, Gillespie Group, Greater Lansing CVB, Ingham County, Jackson National, Lansing Brewing Company, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Lansing City Pulse, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Message Makers, Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies, Michigan State University, MSU Federal Credit Union, the National Endowment for the Arts, Potter Park Zoo, Rathbun Insurance, Resch Strategies, Sparrow Health, and TechSmith.

Lansing 5:01 is a local non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the very best of Lansing to its future. Through innovative events and initiatives, Lansing 5:01 aims to highlight the region's vibrant culture, diverse businesses, and exceptional talent, fostering a sense of community pride and engagement. More information can be found at www.lansing501.com.