Author

J.R. Valderas

J.R. is a longtime photographer who has worked for the Holland Sentinel and Holland Public Schools. The Holland High grad likes to use his skills to capture the history of Holland and tell the community's stories. 

J.R. Valderas's Latest Articles

Bicycle Showband Crescendo performs at Hope College’s Ray and Sue Smith Stadium during the debut performance at the Tulip Time Festival, May 12.
Dutch bicycle-riding marching band makes U.S. premiere at Holland’s Tulip Time
By
●
General
●
May 20, 2023

Bicycle Showband Crescendo, a bicycling-riding marching band from the Netherlands, wowed Tulip Time crowds during the group’s first visit to the U.S.

Prettyrock Big Bear, of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi from Dowagiac, performs a jingle dress exhibition dance for spectators attending the International Festival of Holland at the Holland Civic Center. (J.R. Valderas)
PHOTOS: International Festival of Holland takes visitors around the world in a day
By
●
Arts and Culture
●
October 7, 2022

West Michigan residents turned out to learn about cultures from across the world during the third annual International Festival of Holland.

Bacha Popi performs at the LAUP ¡Fiesta! in the Holland Civic Center July 9.
LAUP ¡Fiesta! makes strong comeback
By
●
General
●
July 12, 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a beloved Holland tradition returned over the weekend. Thousands gathered for ¡Fiesta!, an annual celebration of Latino heritage and cultures sponsored by LAUP.

Members of the audience react to Byron Stripling's performance with the Holland Symphony Orchestra while attending the "Pops at the Pier" concert at Eldean Shipyard in Macatawa, Michigan, June 16, 2022.
Bringing musical legacies to the next generation
By
●
General
●
June 21, 2022

Byron Stripling talks about the power of sharing musical legacies with the next generation. He did just that during his performance with the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s Pops on the Pier. 

Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks, right, and residents scrub 8th Street in downtown Holland before the Tulip Time Festival’s Volksparade on May 14. 
Holland’s Tulip Time Festival makes a strong comeback
By
●
General
●
May 19, 2022

Holland historian J.R. Valderas documents how Holland’s iconic Tulip Time Festival made a full recovery after the pandemic, with visitors experiencing innovative programming and an unexpected heat wave.

Tim Price, co-owner of RollXscape Skating Center in Holland Township, right, shows skating enthusiast a set of LED quad roller skate wheels in the rink’s skate shop during the venue’s grand opening, Nov. 4.
Roller rink makes a comeback as RollXscape Skating Center
By
●
General
●
December 13, 2021

Tim and Brenda Price have remodeled the former Grand Roller Rink in Holland Township into the new RollXscape Skating Center.

Sangeeta Kar, of Sangeeta's Dance & Music of India in Midland, Michigan, performs a classical odissi dance at the International Festival of Holland in the Holland Civic Center, August 21, 2021.
International Festival of Holland brings world closer to home
By
●
General
●
August 23, 2021

Holland celebrated world cultures with its annual International Festival, Saturday. Music, dance, and other performances took center stage while kids learned with hands-on crafts.

Our Partners

Allegan County Community Foundation logo
Disability Advocates of Kent County logo
On Point Allegan

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything West Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.