Kalamazoo

With such a recognizable moniker you'd think Kalamazoo wouldn't need nicknames, but through the years changing names have reflected the city's refusal to stand still. The Zoo, Celery City and Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown Kazoo the nation's first pedestrian mall in 1959 thrives today. Innovations in life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals combined with the expertise of Kalamazoo's universities - Western Michigan, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College - make the city a center of research, development and technology. It's all part of an eclectic, vibrant city with a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and scrappy local theater companies are a few of the offerings. Locals love their festivals, many at the Arcadia Festival grounds, and their outdoors, whether it's taking to the Kalamazoo River or biking the Kal-Haven trail or golfing at the nationally-acclaimed Milham Park course. The city's sports fans have competitive college teams, minor league baseball and hockey to follow. And it all comes with a Promise. All high school graduates who live in Kalamazoo qualify for scholarships at any public university or community college.

Feature Story Homegrown National Park

'Going native' could make Kalamazoo a Homegrown National Park


Longform Caffe Casa
Feature Story Canadiana Fest

Kalamazoo's Canadiana Fest has more layers than poutine


Feature Story Elemental Press

Elemental Press of Kalamazoo is making art for everyone


In The News Kalamazoo Recovery and Wellness Festival

Kalamazoo festival paving the roads to wellness and recovery


Feature Story Canadiana Fest
Feature Story Global Ties
Longform Voices of Youth Mental Health

Voices of Youth: Weathering the 'perfect storm' of middle school social life