City of Kentwood, Great Lakes Disc Partner to Offer  Ninth Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament and Food Drive

City of Kentwood, Great Lakes Disc Partner to Offer Ninth Annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament and Food Drive
Event on Saturday, Feb. 17 Will Feature Ribbon Cutting for Jaycee Park Improvements


The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc are partnering to host the ninth annual Freeze Fest doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to join the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, 1088 Gentian Drive SE, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. All proceeds will go to support Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.

The event also will include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. to celebrate the improvements made at Jaycee Park. The enhancements, funded through the Kent County Community Development Block Grant, include a new multiuse building, landscaping, enhanced security, bridge renovations and more.

“Freeze Fest always brings a sense of excitement year after year and is a wonderful way for the community to come together for some great disc golf, winter fun and the opportunity to give back,” said Lori Gresnick, Kentwood’s recreation program coordinator. “This year, we get the added bonus of unveiling all the improvements at Jaycee Park to community members before kicking off the event.”

On-site registration for the disc golf tournament begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10:15 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FreezeFest. The cost is $25 per person or $50 per team and one canned food donation.

“In collaboration with the City of Kentwood, this event stands as a highlight on our calendars every year,” said Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc. “Great Lakes Disc is honored to continue our support for the local community and bring the disc golf community together during the offseason.”

The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open to all community members year-round and is designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers nonperishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required, and no questions are asked.

Community demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, has steadily increased since its opening. To help meet the growing need, the City of Kentwood opened a second pantry location in 2021 at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. More information is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.