Lip Dub taping wraps up downtown GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The streets of Grand Rapids shut down Sunday afternoon as they were taken over by yet another Rob Bliss production.

This time, participants took part in creating a Lib Dub – one continuous video shot to the music of Don McLean’s “American Pie.”

The purpose of the video, Bliss said, is to showcase Grand Rapids and prove that, despite a recent report from Newsweek magazine, the city is not “dying.”

The event was previously postponed until this Sunday due to weather, but the day provided a picture-perfect backdrop as thousands flocked to Rosa Parks Circle.

Filming kicked off at 10 a.m. and ran until around 3 p.m. The video will feature a mock wedding, floats, cheerleaders, football players, a pillow fight and even local news crews.

“I like the fact that it’s promoting Grand Rapids and bringing us together, and getting the community out on Sunday,” Katherine Jewell said.

Street vendors downtown took advantage of the weather and the hungry masses. Others on the clock kept an eye on the action.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Jewell, of The Dog Pit. “It’s kind of exciting to see the breakdown of it all and how it happens. It’s interesting.”

Almost everyone seemed to have a different reason for attending.

“We were down here for the paper airplane toss a year ago and wanted to come down and get into the fun,” said Kurt Basham, of East Grand Rapids. “So, I brought the whole family.”

But for the participants, the shot proved to be long, hot and filled with down time.

“It gets a little boring, but, you know, catch some sun rays out here and you know, waiting for the action,” said James Nutter, of Forest Hills Central.

Bliss will hold a premiere of the finished Lip Dub at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Wednesday at Celebration Cinema North. Tickets are $5 each.

The video is set for a YouTube launch Thursday.