Calendar of Events

October and November 2013


Sailboat moored along the Kalamazoo River in October with leaves turning in trees on the shore

October 2013
1Muskegon Farmers Market, 700 Yuba bet. Spring & Marquette, off Seaway Drive, Muskegon. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday thru November. 6am-3pm. Thanksgiving-Christmas, Saturdays only.
1-5Grand Haven ArtWalk. Artists display their work in Grand Haven’s downtown and Centertown. This 18-day event ends Oct. 5. For details, visit www.GHArtWalk.com.
1-620th Annual Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival, Grand Valley State University, Allendale Campus. Michigan’s oldest Shakespeare Festival attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year. Renaissance Faire, Greenshow, food, and more. This year’s Shakespeare production is Much Ado About Nothing.
1-27The Famous Pumpkin Train, Coopersville & Marne Railway, 311 Danforth Street, Coopersville. Train runs Saturday and Sunday through the month. Passengers will be entertained by the Great Pumpkin, Scarecrow and Little Crow. Children pick a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch at the end of the train ride. Children under 2 ride free. Adults $15.50, Children 2-12 $13.50, Seniors 60+ $14.50. Call 616-997-7000 for information.
1-314th Annual Regional Juried Show, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven. Artists from the Great Lakes States of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Prizes awarded. Show runs thru November 10. 269-637-1041.
1-31Between the Reeds, Nuveen Community Center for the Arts, 8697 Ferry Street, Montague. An exhibit focusing on birds that live in and around the water’s edge with hand-carved wooden duck decoys created by award-winning West Michigan carvers, paintings, photographs, and other two-dimensional artwork by local artists. Show runs thru November 2, open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 12-5 p.m. Call 231-894-ARTS (2787) or e-mail nuveen@artswhitelake.org for more details.
2Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
2Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
4Saugatuck Friday Greenmarket, Saugatuck Center for the Arts (parking lot), 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. Every Friday thru Oct. 4th. 8am-2pm.
4-519th Annual Buster Keaton Society Convention & Film Festival, Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon. Tour the Keaton family home, watch Buster Keaton films and TV footage, and more.
5Annual Vander Fest, Vander Cider Mill and Winery, 14921 Cleveland Avenue, Spring Lake. Vander Mill hosts its Fall Craft, Beer and Cider Festival. Local restaurant owners, beer and cider producers. 4pm-10pm.
   The Olive Mill in Saugatuck, Michigan at Halloween
5Oktoberfest at the Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Highway, Douglas. 1-5pm. Polka competition, 6-piece German polka band, Kinderplatz kids games, food, Best Dressed Herr & Fraulein contest, Strudel Meisters and more. Call 269-857-7222 for details.
5Bangor Apple Festival, downtown Bangor. 5K and Fun Run, Renaissance Faire, bake sale, classic car show, horseshoe tournament, live music, kids’ events, arts & crafts fair, food and more. Call 269-350-3759 for more info.
5Eastown Fallfest, Grand Haven. Live music, pet expo, children’s activities, Big Wheel Race, parade, Taste of Eastown, 5K Run 7 Walk and more.
54th Annual Pumpkins at Chinook Pier, under the green canopy at Chinook Pier, Grand Haven. Children under the age of 12 will pick a pumpkin and decorate it with markers. Free. 10am-11am.
5Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
5St. Joseph Farmers Market, Lake Boulevard, between Broad and Pleasant Streets, St. Joseph. The Farmers Market will be held every Saturday until October 5th, 9am-2pm. Call 269-985-1111 for details.
5South Haven Saturday Farm Market, 546 Phoenix Street, pavilion parking lot, downtown South Haven. Every Saturday thru October 19th. 8am-2pm.
5Grand Haven Saturday Farmers Market, under the Green Canopy, Chinook Pier, downtown Grand Haven. Every Saturday thru Oct. 26th, 8am-2pm.
5-624th Annual Blue Coast Artists Fall Tour Weekend. 10am-6pm, Saturday and Sunday. Travel the back roads of Saugatuck, Fennville and South Haven while visiting local artist studios and galleries. Maps are available to direct you to twelve artist studios and ten Lakeshore Harvest Country farms. Call 269-236-9260 for info or visit www.BlueCoastArtists.com.
6Antiques on the Bluff, Lake Bluff Park, St. Joseph. Antique show. 10am-5pm. Free parking, no admission.
6Skip’s Open-Air European Farmers Market, corner of Red Arrow Highway & Lakeshore Road, New Buffalo. Open-air European market selling food, jewelry, flowers, clothing, soaps and more. 9am-2:30pm. 269-469-3330.
   Country road with leaves turning in west Michigan
8West Michigan Drum Circle, Shore Acres Park, 6597 138th Avenue, Laketown Township (adjacent to Saugatuck Dunes State Park). Held in front of the Felt Mansion every second Tuesday of the month through October. Free, family oriented. Percussion instruments are available. 6:30-8pm.
9Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
9Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
127th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Country Road Rally, Departs from Khnemu Studio on Fernwood Farm, 6322 113th Ave, Fennville at 1pm. A fun-filled ride through lakeshore country as teams follow clues and look for back road destinations. Trophy awarded to winning team.
12Harvest & Wine Festival, Lions Park, downtown New Buffalo. Wine tasting, live music, free children’s activities, pumpkin patch, bounce house, food, crafts, horse-drawn hayrides and more. Noon-10pm. Admission: $5. Children free.
12Pumpkin Fest, Montague. Farmers market, pumpkin painting, lunch, bake sale, biggest pumpkin weigh-in, pumpkin pie contest, Dowling Hill Pumpkin Roll and more. The fun begins at 9:00am.
12DeGrandchamp’s Cranberry Harvest Day, DeGrandchamp Farm, 76241 14th Avenue, South Haven. 10am-4pm. Hay wagon rides to the cranberry bogs to watch the harvesting of ripe cranberries. Shop for cranberries and other farm fresh products in the farm store. Call 888-483-7431 for details.
12Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec, 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
12South Haven Saturday Farm Market, 546 Phoenix Street, pavilion parking lot, downtown South Haven. Every Saturday thru October 19th. 8am-2pm.
12Grand Haven Saturday Farmers Market, under the Green Canopy, Chinook Pier, downtown Grand Haven. Every Saturday thru Oct. 26th, 8am-2pm.
   Man sitting on bench along the river in South Haven, Michigan
12Art & All That Jazz, Center Street, Douglas. Visit the shops and galleries of charming downtown Douglas. Live music. 6-8pm. Call 269-857-4210 for details.
12Country Fair, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor. 11am-3pm. Free. Rummage sale, kids’ activities, country kitchen lunch, wagon rides and more. Call 269-927-4832 for more information.
12-1336th Annual Gallery Stroll Weekend, downtown Saugatuck and Douglas. Noon-5pm.
12-1329th Annual Fennville Goose Festival, downtown Fennville. Goose Festival Parade, Wild Goose Chase 5k, classic car show, arts & craft show, petting zoo, live music and more. For more info, visit FennvilleGooseFestival.com.
13Chili-Cook-off, Wicks Park, Water Street, Saugatuck. 1-5pm. Admission $5.00, children free. Eat chili from some of your favorite area restaurants. Live music. Call River Market at 616-886-0749 for more information.
13Harvest Days Chili Cook-Off, Skip’s Restaurant on the corner of Red Arrow Highway & Lakeshore Road, New Buffalo. Eleven teams compete for the Best Chili Award. 1-5pm. $10 entrance fee, ½ price for children. 269-469-3341.
13Skip’s Open-Air European Farmers Market, corner of Red Arrow Highway & Lakeshore Road, New Buffalo. Open-air European market selling food, jewelry, flowers, clothing, soaps and more. 1-5pm. 269-469-3341.
16Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
16Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
19Fall Arts & Crafts Show, New Buffalo High School Gym, New Buffalo. More than 90 booths. Baked goods and lunch foods. Food. 9:30am-4pm. Admission: $1. 269-469-3180.
   Carved pumpkin faces in west Michigan
19Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
19South Haven Saturday Farm Market, 546 Phoenix Street, pavilion parking lot, downtown South Haven. Every Saturday thru October 19th. 8am-2pm.
19Grand Haven Saturday Farmers Market, under the Green Canopy, Chinook Pier, downtown Grand Haven. Every Saturday thru Oct. 26th, 8am-2pm.
19Depot to Depot Fall Color Tour, Muskegon. Self-guided touring route that visitors can drive or bike. Stop at all the designated sites and become eligible to win a wonderful prize. Call 231-724-3100 or visit www.VisitMuskegon.org for details.
19In Search of the Great Pumpkin, Overhiser Orchards, 6405 109th Avenue, South Haven. 3pm. Kids pick their own big pumpkins. Prize awarded for whoever finds the great pumpkin. $2.00 fee includes a pumpkin. Call 616-836-3341.
19GrooveWalk, downtown Holland. 9pm-1am. Purchase a wristband in advance and get ready to enjoy what has been called “the coolest night in town.” Eleven bands will cut loose in eleven different downtown locations starting at 9pm. Call 616-796-1210 for more information.
20Fall Chamber Music Recital in the historic Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears, Whitehall, 4pm. Celebrate the beautiful fall season with delightful chamber music featuring Antiphon Brass. Call 231-329-3056 for info.
20Star of Saugatuck Cruise, Water Street, Saugatuck. Last trip of the season.
23Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
23Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
26Halloween Harvest Festival, downtown Saugatuck. Noon-5pm. Children’s Halloween Parade, Pet Halloween Parade, live music, craft booths, storytelling, entertainment and more. Family costume parade at 4pm. 269-857-1701.
   Pumpkins and mums in west Michigan
26Haunted Museum, Tri-Cities Historical Museum, 200 Washington Ave., Grand Haven. 2-4pm. Museum members and the Central Park Players will be ready to haunt visitors. Free. Call 616-842-0700 for details.
26Grand Haven Zombie Walk, Tri-Cities Historical Museum, 200 Washington Ave., Grand Haven. 4-6pm. Dress like zombies and join the fun for Grand Haven’s annual zombie walk. Participants are asked to bring a canned or boxed food item for donation to a local food pantry. The walk begins downtown at 4pm. Call 616-842-0700 for details.
26Adult Halloween Parade, downtown Douglas. Parade begins at 10pm. Various locations in the area, such as the Dunes Resort, will host costume parties and contests immediately afterwards. Grab a costume and join the parade. Great fun.
26Wedding Walk, downtown Grand Haven. Upscale open-house bridal show event for future brides interested in bridal fashion, décor, tablescapes and much more. 11am-3pm. Call Cassie at 626-402-2733 for details.
26Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
26Grand Haven Saturday Farmers Market, under the Green Canopy, Chinook Pier, downtown Grand Haven. Every Saturday thru Oct. 26th, 8am-2pm.
27Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat, downtown New Buffalo. Contact Bonnie at 269-469-3180 for details.
30Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
30Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
31Trick or Treating along Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven. Local merchants provide treats for families with children in this fun annual event. 4-6pm.
31Halloween Trick or Treat, downtown St. Joseph. 4:30-6pm. Kids go trick or treating at participating area stores.
   Halloween costumes at Douglas, Michigan Adult Halloween Parade

November 2013
1-104th Annual Regional Juried Show, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven. Artists from the Great Lakes States of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Prizes awarded. Show runs thru November 10. 269-637-1041.
1-30Metals and Oils by November's featured artist Casey Bemis at the White River Gallery, 8701 Ferry Street, Montague. Brass, bronze, silver and steel jewelry, and oil on canvas paintings by local artist Casey Bemis. Tuesday through Friday, 10:30am - 5:30pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, and Sunday 12pm - 4pm. Call 231-894-8659 during Gallery hours for details.
2Mona Shores Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, Mona Shores High School, 1121 W. Seminole, Muskegon. Annual arts & crafts show held the first Saturday of November. Over 165 Michigan exhibitors. 9am-3pm. Admission $1.00. Call 231-780-4748 for more information.
2Muskegon Farmers Market, 700 Yuba bet. Spring & Marquette, off Seaway Drive, Muskegon. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday thru November. 6am-3pm. Thanksgiving-Christmas, Saturdays only.
2Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
2Art & All That Jazz/Glass Stroll, Center Street, Douglas. Visit the shops and galleries of charming downtown Douglas. 6-8pm. Live music. Call 269-857-1438 for details.
6Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
9Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
13Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
15Light Night, downtown Grand Haven. Grand Haven turns on their holiday lights. Holiday open houses at participating stores. Luminaries line the streets. 5pm – 9pm. Call 616-844-1188 for info.
16Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
   Mill pond with water wheel and fall turning trees
16Holiday Preview, Saugatuck/Douglas. Downtown shops and galleries welcome the holiday season. Stores open until 9pm. Luminaries will line Center Street. Merchants offer free refreshments. Free trolley transportation between the villages of Saugatuck and Douglas. 269-857-1626.
16Greek Night, American Hellenic Center, 17760 Behner Road, New Buffalo. Greek food, music and dancing. Happy Hour 5-6pm. Dinner at 6:30pm. Free parking.
16-17Holiday Craft Bazaar, First Congregational Church, 296 Hoffman Street, Saugatuck. Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 9am-4pm. Crafts, homemade baked goods, jams. 269-857-2929.
16-30Mistletoe Market, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven. This annual holiday boutique is a perennial favorite with lakeshore shoppers. Over 40 local artists represented. Portion of proceeds benefit the Center for the Arts. Preview Party on November 16th from 5-7pm. Market runs through Dec. 8th.
20Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
21-30Festival of Trees, Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Avenue, Muskegon. For 11 days, visitors to the museum will be able to view trees and wreaths decorated by local artists. A silent auction for these creations will be held. Other activities include a Teddy Bear Breakfast with Santa and a holiday movie festival. Ends December 1. Call 231-720-2570 for more information.
22Luminary Festival, downtown St. Joseph. Dusk to 9pm. The holiday season begins as stores stay open late and 1000 luminaries light the streets. Refreshments, free horse-drawn trolley rides. Vote for your favorite holiday window.
22-23White Lake Area Holiday Walk. Ride the free Muskegon trolley between Whitehall and Montague to start your holiday shopping. Visit with Santa. Carriage rides, carolers, and more. 10am to 6pm.
23Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
23Family Christmas, Hackley Park, downtown Muskegon. Carolers, tree lighting, hot cocoa and holiday activities. Call 231-724-3180 for details.
   Turning trees reflected in pond - west Michigan
25Ice Rink Opens for the Season. Huron Street Pavilion, across from City Hall, downtown South Haven. Covered pavilion, ice skate rental. Call 269-639-1113 for open skate hours.
27Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Every Wednesday thru Nov. 27. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
23Holiday Open House, downtown Holland. 6pm-9pm. Enjoy downtown Holland’s decorated streets, shops, galleries, carolers, roasting chestnuts and more. Call 616-986-6186 for details.
29Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Wicks Park, Water Street, Saugatuck. 5-7pm. Visit from Santa, food, live music, games for children and more. 269-857-1626.
29-30Parade & Festival of Trees, City Hall, 539 Phoenix Street, South Haven. 269-637-4342. Annual fund-raising event offers holiday trees and wreaths for sale. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Parade on Nov. 29th. Festival ends December 7th. 269-637-4342.
29-30Holiday Tours, Hackley & Hume Historic Site, downtown Muskegon. 5pm-8pm. The Hume site’s holiday decorations celebrate the late 1800s and early 1900s; the Depression Era Scolnich House is decorated circa late 1920s. Free horse-drawn carriage rides between the sites. Call 231-722-0278 or visit www.LakeshoreMuseum.org
30Holland Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th Street, downtown Holland. Over 50 vendors selling local produce, honey, spices, herbs, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, flowers, etc. Street performers, cooking demonstrations, food concessions. Every Saturday from 8am-4pm thru Dec. 14th. Call 616-355-1138 for more info.
30Saturday Holiday Kerstmarkt, Eighth Street Market Place Holidays, Holland. 9am-5pm. Open-air European Christmas market. Call 616-394-0000 for more information.
30Miracle on Whittaker Street, downtown New Buffalo. Breakfast with Santa at the Michigan Thyme Café, 9am-Noon. Santa and the Reindog Parade at 4pm on Whittaker Street. While children visit Santa, adults can enjoy hot chocolate and shopping at participating businesses. Annual tree lighting and caroling at 6pm.
30The Santa Train Excursion, Coopersville & Marne Railway, 311 Danforth Street, Coopersville. Train runs Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22nd. Elves escort children to sit with Santa who has a reserved seat in each of the train’s vintage passenger cars. A princess will read from The Polar Express. Every child receives a gift. Cars are heated; each car has a restroom. Children under 2 ride free. Adults $14.50, Children 2-12 $11.50, Seniors 60+ $13.50. Call 616-997-7000 for ticket information.
   Turkey in Fennville, Michigan

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

October 2013 - November 2013