Gilda’s Laughfest announces 2023 festival dates

Time to mark your comedy calendars for the next incarnation of Gilda’s Laughfest. Today the organization announced the 2023 dates for Laughfest to once again return to its home of Grand Rapids, MI where the festival has thrived for the last 13 years. LaughFest, presented by Gun Lake Casino, celebrates laughter for the health as it both raises awareness for its organizers at the Grand Rapids charter of Gidla’s Club which was established in the 1980s after the death of the late, great Gilda Radner. Gilda’s clubs all over the nation exists to provide free emotional healthcare to children, adults, families, and friends dealing with any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to cancer.

The festival runs between March 8-12th 2023. In addition Gilda’s Club will host its Red Door Gala at a new location, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. “Gilda’s LaughFest is thrilled to bring together the West Michigan community through laughter in March 2023 with festival favorites including stand-up, improv and a variety of seriously funny stuff,” said Festival Manager Zack Berends.

As with years past, the festival will host some fan favorites such as family friendly programming, headlining comics, and local favorites. They also plan to host a Laughter Rx Symposium on Friday, March 9. Which will aim to increase the emotional health support system in West Michigan through education. The conference has continuing education credit opportunities for health care professionals and social workers and will be available in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual attendance options. Additionally they will also host the Seriously Funny Family Adventure Challenge where teams will tour the city while following clues and prompts provided at various stops.

“We are excited to continue the tradition of creating a spot of LaughFest sunshine during the grey month of March,” said Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and Gilda’s LaughFest. “Our return to The B.O.B. and shows in Lowell and at Gun Lake Casino provide opportunities for West Michigan to get out and honor an essential part of emotional health and wellbeing: laughter. It also allows the Gilda’s Club message to be shared more broadly that those facing life’s tough stuff like cancer and grief are not alone. Gilda’s Club is here to help.”

Performers and headliners will be announced shortly as well as ticket onsale dates and prices. Keep track off all the happenings on their website, laughfestgr.org