August and September 2016

August 2016

1-7	Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Grand Haven. Ten-day national military festival runs thru Aug 7nd. Events include parades, Coast Guard ship tours, fireworks, live entertainment, Kids Day, Street Dance. For more information, visit www.CoastGuardFest.org.
1-31	Quilts and Their Stories, Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main Street, Coopersville. This annual exhibit runs through Oct. 1 and features more than 100 quilts with their accompanying stories. Lectures, quilting demonstrations and workshops, entertainment. Tuesday thru Saturdays. Crazy Ladies Quilting Circle meets every Thursday 10am-12:30pm. Call 616-997-8555 or visit www.CoopersvilleFarmMuseum.org.
1-7	‘Murder for Two’, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. The SCA’s summer theater season continues with ‘Murder for Two’ a mystery musical comedy. The production runs thru August 7. For ticket info, call 269-857-2399 or visit SC4A.org.
4-14	White Lake Chamber Music Festival, Whitehall and Montague. Concerts, lectures, an in-home concert, 5pm Serendipity Recitals, afternoon tea recitals, children’s concerts, and more. Most events are free. For a schedule of events, visit www.WhiteLakeChamberMusicFestival.com or call 231-329-3056.
5	‘Free Friday Night Movies on Deck’, USS LST 393, the Mart Dock, downtown Muskegon. Showing "Rear Window". Bring a chair or a blanket on board one of the last two remaining WWII Landing Ship Tanks. Every Friday night, a free movie is screened for the public after sunset. Concessions are available. Call 231-730-1477 for info. While admission is free, donations will be accepted for the preservation of the USS LST 393.
5-7	Chalk the Block, downtown St. Joseph. Watch as the streets of downtown St. Joseph are turned into works of art. Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Judging begins at 4pm on Saturday. Call 269-985-1111 for details.
6	47th Annual Art in the Park, Centennial Park, 250 Central Avenue, Holland. 9am-4pm. Annual fine arts and crafts fair featuring over 300 artists.
6	Corn & Sausage Roast, New Buffalo Yacht Club, 500 W Water Street, New Buffalo. Festivities start at noon. Food, live music, drink. For more details, call 269-469-9808.
7	Antiques on the Bluff, Lake Bluff Park, 201 Lake Boulevard, St. Joseph. 10am-5pm. This antique show is held on the first Sunday of the month from May through October. Free parking. No admission fee. Call 269-985-1111 for information.
7	Sunday Art Market, under Green Canopy at Chinook Pier (Harbor & First Street), downtown Grand Haven. Local artists. First Sunday of the month through Sept. 4th. 11am-2pm.
9	West Michigan Drum Circle, Shore Acres Park (in front of the Felt Mansion), six miles north of Saugatuck. Community drum circle geared for beginners. Free, family friendly. Every second Tuesday of the month thru October. 6:30-8pm.
11-14	53rd National Annual Blueberry Festival, downtown South Haven. Scheduled times. Parade, Arts & Craft Fair, Vegas Night, Pie Eating Contest, Kids Carnival, Riverfront Concerts, 5K Run/Walk, Pancake Breakfasts, Pageants and more. Visit www.BlueberryFestival.com.
11-12	Sarett Overnight, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor. 7pm - 9am. Gaze at stars, look for owls and take walks at night, then sleep in the Sarett Nature Center Building. Nighttime snack and breakfast included. Ages 8 and up. Fee: $28, Members: $22. Class size limited.
11-13	North Muskegon Northside Family Fun Fest, Walker Park, Ruddiman Avenue, North Muskegon. Parade, Food, Art Fair with over 100 exhibitors. Thursday: Parade - 7:30pm. Friday: Car Show, Food from local restaurants, live music and kid's activities - 6-10pm. Saturday: Pancake Breakfast - 8-11am, Art Fair - 9am-4pm, and Book Sale - 10am-4pm.
11	Raptor Center Open House, Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center, 6221 Sweeter Road, Twin Lake, MI 49457. 1pm-4pm. See live birds of prey including an eagle, owls, and a hawk. Learn about raptors and their environment. 231-821-9125. Free admission. Keep up on Facebook.
12-13	Downtown Sidewalk Sale, downtown Holland. Over 100 downtown merchants bring their wares outside for the biggest sale of the year. Friday: 9am-9pm. Saturday: 9am-5pm. 616-355-1050.
12-14	Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale. Celebrated every year since 2003 along US-12 from New Buffalo to Detroit. Visit www.US12HeritageTrail.org for an online map of yard sale locations.
13	Holland Symphony Orchestra Free Community Pops Concert, Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Drive, Holland. Community Pops Concert. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic basket. 7:30-9:30pm. Rain location will be Holland Civic Center. 616-796-6780 for more information.
12	Ox-Bow Open Studio, Ox-Bow School, 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck. On select Friday nights, Oxbow students and Artists in Residence will hold studio exhibits of work from the preceding week. Artwork includes glass, ceramics, painting, drawing, metals, papermaking and printmaking. Artistic demonstrations held at 9pm. Live auction of artwork begins at 8pm. Call 269-857-5811.
12-28	‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical', Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, downtown Saugatuck. Mason Street Warehouse’s summer theater season continues with the musical comedy ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’. The production runs thru August 28th. Call 269-857-2399 or visit MasonStreetWarehouse.org.
13	VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta, Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, 2157 South Shore Drive, Macatawa. Annual fundraising event for Hospice of Holland. Open to all sailboats. Race held on Lake Michigan, south of Holland Harbor.
15-20	Berrien County Youth Fair, 9122 Old US 31, Berrien Springs. One of the largest county fairs in the Midwest, with concerts, animal judging, tractor pulls, horticulture. pie eating contests, square dancing, Vintage Base Ball and much more. For details download the pdf brochure.
17	Kayak the Paw Paw River, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor. 9:30am - 2pm. Participants, who must have Sarett kayaking experience, paddling from Sarett’s River Tower to the Brown Sanctuary. Ages 10 and up. Call 269-927-4832 for info (pre-registration & pre-payment required).
19	‘Free Friday Night Movies on Deck’, USS LST 393, the Mart Dock, downtown Muskegon. Showing a "Viewers Choice" movie. Bring a chair or a blanket on board one of the last two remaining WWII Landing Ship Tanks. Every Friday night, a free movie is screened for the public after sunset. Concessions are available. Call 231-730-1477 for info. While admission is free, donations will be accepted for the preservation of the USS LST 393.
19-20	St. Patrick’s & St. Anthony’s Summer Festival, 920 Fulton Street, Grand Haven. 8am-11pm. Summer festival includes a Street Rod & Antique Car Show, community garage sale, arts & craft show, live music, children’s activities, food and more. Call 616-842-0001 for details.
20	5th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride bicycle tour starts at Kal-haven Trail Head at Bailey & Wells, South Haven or Schultz Park, Douglas. Route distances include 15, 25, 45, 62 (metric century), and 100 miles. Visit www.LHCBT.com for information about registration and tour details.
20	3rd Annual Boat Walk, Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven. noon-4pm. Tour over a dozen vessels in the heart of the South Haven Maritime District. New, old, wooden, steel... Set up like a home tour, your tickets get you on all of the participating vessels for a chance to meet the owners/captains and check out above and below decks. You also get admission to the Museum. Ages 13 and up.
20	Kayak the Dowagiac, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor. 9:30am - 3:30pm. Participants, who must have Sarett kayaking experience, Paddle from M-62 to Dodd Park. Ages 10 and up. Call 269-927-4832 for info (pre-registration & pre-payment required).
20	Douglas Dutchers vs. Elkhart County Railroaders Base Ball Club - 1860's vintage base ball at Beery Field in downtown Douglas. 2pm. Free admission.
28	Douglas Dutchers vs. House of David Echoes Base Ball Club - 1860's vintage base ball at Beery Field in downtown Douglas. 2pm. Free admission.
28	Allegan Antique Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive, Allegan. 400 vendors will exhibit every last Sunday of the month through Sept. 28th. 8am-4pm. 616-735-3333 for information.

September 2016

1-30	Quilts and Their Stories, Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main Street, Coopersville. This annual exhibit runs through Oct. 1 and features more than 100 quilts with their accompanying stories. Lectures, quilting demonstrations and workshops, entertainment. Tuesday thru Saturdays. Call 616-997-8555 or visit www.CoopersvilleFarmMuseum.org.
4	Antiques on the Bluff, Lake Bluff Park, 201 Lake Boulevard, St. Joseph. 10am-5pm. This antique show is held on the first Sunday of the month from May through October. Free parking. No admission fee. Call 269-985-1111 for information.
5	12th Annual Labor Day Cars for Cancer, Mercy Health Partners Lakes Campus, off US 31 bet. Grand Haven & Muskegon. Pontaluna Road exit. Car & Bike Show. Sunday night: Kickoff Party 5-11pm, Monday: Pancake Breakfast 7:30-10am. 37 classes of cars and bikes. Entertainment, vendors and door prizes.
3	Tri-State Regatta, St. Joseph Yacht Club, St. Joseph. The Yacht Club is the first stop on this celebrated tri-state regatta. Visit www.sjryc.com or call 269-983-6393 for information.
5	Annual Labor Day Blue Star Bridge Walk/Pancake Breakfast, Saugatuck/Douglas. 9am-10am. This Labor Day 0.19K walk begins on the Douglas side of the bridge and ends on the Saugatuck side. Organized by the Saugatuck Public Schools Community Recreation. Call 269-857-1444.
5	Labor Day Community Walk, 8786 Water Street, Montague to Whitehall. Walk the Hart-Montague Bike Trail. 10am-noon.
5	Season closing of Saugatuck Chain Ferry.
5	Labor Day Boardwalk, Kollen Park, Holland. Walk begins at 8:30am at the Kollen Park/Heinz Waterway Walkway and continues along the Boardwalk until participants reach Windmill Island Gardens. Pancake breakfast follows at the gardens. In case of rain, the Windmill Island Gardens breakfast only. Adults: $5, Children 3-12: $3, Children under 3: free. 616-355-1130.
8	Raptor Center Open House, Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center, 6221 Sweeter Road, Twin Lake, MI 49457. 1pm-4pm. See live birds of prey including an eagle, owls, and a hawk. Learn about raptors and their environment. 231-821-9125. Free admission. Keep up on Facebook or BraveheartRaptorCenter.com.
8-11	33rd Annual Antique Engine & Tractor Show, 06285 68th Street, South Haven. Hundreds of flywheel engines and tractors, parades, flea market, crafts, magic show, food, games and more. Admission: $7 for 12 and over, Thursday is Seniors Day with $3 admission for 62 and over. For more info, call 269-639-2010.
9-17	Allegan County Fair, Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive, Allegan. Games, petting zoo, food, live music and more. Contact 888-673-6501 for more information.
15-25	2016 Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival, Centennial Park, 250 Central Avenue, Holland. A celebration of Latino art and culture. All films are free and open to the public at the DeWitt Auditorium, Herrick District Library, Holland Civic Theatre and the Knickerbocker Theatre - check the calendar for specific venues. For more info call 616-394-0000 or 800-506-1299.
9	Mount Baldhead 1K Little Feet, Big Feat (Kids) Challenge. Free kid's race at Beery Field in downtown Douglas. 6pm. Visit MtBaldheadChallenge.com for details.
10	Mount Baldhead 5K & 15K Challenges. The races start and end at Beery Field in downtown Douglas. The 5K run is through the historic streets of Douglas. The 15K run includes 302 stairs to the top of Saugatuck's Mount Baldhead. 8am. Registration 4-7pm, Sept. 5, at Beery Field. Visit MtBaldheadChallenge.com for details.
11	Raptor Center Open House, Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center, 6221 Sweeter Road, Twin Lake, MI 49457. 1pm-4pm. See live birds of prey including an eagle, owls, and a hawk. Learn about raptors and their environment. 231-821-9125. Free admission. Keep up on Facebook or BraveheartRaptorCenter.com.
15-18	2016 Michigan Irish Music Festival, Heritage Landing, 701 Seventh Street, downtown Muskegon. Live Irish and Celtic music performed on three stages. Children’s activities, Irish Marketplace, Irish dance competition, cultural center, traditional Irish Sunday breakfast and more.
16-18	Grand Haven Salmon Festival, downtown Grand Haven waterfront. Big King fishing contest, Fresh Catch Fish Boil, art fair, live jazz, Purple Romp Grape Stomp competition, wine tasting pavilion, beer and entertainment pavilion, and more. 616-842-4499 for information.
16-18	2016 Tulip City Gem & Mineral Show, Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8th Street, Holland. Gem, mineral and jewelry show. Silent auction, door prizes, interactive displays, Petoskey stone polishing, children’s games, fluorescent mineral display and more. Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Adults: $3, Children: free with adult, Military or Scouts in uniform: free. Call 616-820-5458 for more info.
17	Clothesline Art Show, Wicks Park, Water Street, Saugatuck. Local artwork by members of the Saugatuck Douglas Art Club displayed on clotheslines. 10am-2pm. Call 269-857-2677 or 269-857-4823 for details.
17-18	Civil War Muster, Van Raalte Farm, E. 24th Street & Country Club Road, Holland. Saturday: 9am-9:30pm, Sunday: 9am-3:30pm. Van Raalte Farm’s annual Civil War re-enactment. Battle scenes, dinner, night fire, medical scenarios, historic figure portrayals, period vendors, music.
21-30	Grand Haven ArtWalk. Artists display their work in Grand Haven’s downtown and Centertown. This 18-day event ends Oct. 9. For details, visit www.GHArtWalk.com.
24	Oktoberfest Marathon, ½ Marathon, & 5K, Old Boys Brewhouse, Spring Lake. All three racecourses begin and end at Old Boys Brewhouse and include Spring Lake, Grand Haven, Ferrysburg and Fruitport locations. Registration online. Visit www.oktoberfestmarathon.com.
25	Apple Cider Century Bicycle Tour, Three Oaks. Nationally recognized 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile-bicycle tour. Advance registration required. Call 269-756-3361.
25	Allegan Antique Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive, Allegan. 400 vendors exhibit every last Sunday of the month through Sept. 27th. 8am-4pm. Call 616-735-3333 for information.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Lake Effect Living photographs are the work and property of Sharon Pisacreta.