Calendar of Events
Near Lake Michigan

April & May 2016

Adult geese and a line of goslings on land near Wade's Bayou in Douglas, Michigan
April 2016
2Murder Mystery Weekend – Pasta, Passion & Pistols, Amanda's Bequest Bed & Breakfast, 5200 Anderson Road, Montague. 5-8pm. $30 per person for guests, $40 for non-guests. Participants will enjoy an early check-in, a Saturday evening meal, and a MURDER. You will be emailed your character and role prior to arrival. The mystery activities last from 5 pm until around 8 pm on Saturday. These are themed mysteries based on month. The April 2nd mystery is “Pasta, Passion & Pistols.” The April 2, 2016 mystery is themed around an Italian restaurant. “The succulent aroma of home cooked pasta is drifting from New York’s most popular Italian eatery, but something else is heating up the kitchen…cold blooded murder!” Book online.
1-9 Spring Fling at the Critter Barn, 9275 Adams Street, Zeeland. Visit the Critter Barn’s bunnies, chicks, goats and kittens. Bottle feed goat kids and milk a dairy goat. Mon-Sat. 10am-7pm. Closed Sunday. Call 616-748-1110, or visit the Critter Barn website or Facebook page.
9 Spring Stampede 5K Run/Walk, Sarett Nature Center, 2700 Benton Center Drive, Benton Harbor. 9am. Under the leadership of runner/coach Mike Mahler, get ready to run or walk Sarett’s nature trails for fun and prizes. Proceeds benefit Sarett’s educational program for children. Entry fee. Registration and packet pick-up starts at 7:30am. All participants receive a t-shirt. Childrens’ 1K Fun Run begins at 8:30am. Birders should arrive early in order to join fellow enthusiasts who will ‘bird’ the race course at 7:30am. 269-927-4832.
9Matilda (1996) - Free Family Movie Night, Howmet Playhouse, 304 South Mears Avenue, Whitehall. 7:30pm. See this classic film on the big screen. Popcorn and soda are free, too.
9 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.
9-10 2016 Don Lubbars Cup Regatta, Spring Lake Yacht Club, 17500 West Spring Lake Road, Spring Lake. Competitors from around the country participate in the first race of the spring rowing championship season. 8am-7pm.
12 John Waite & The Axemen, Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Drive, Three Oaks. 8:30 pm. Tickets: $40. John Waite & The Axemen - The Wooden Heart Acoustic Tour: Legendary rock singer, John Waite, will be performing all of his hits in a very intimate setting. The show will include songs from The Babys (“Back on My Feet Again”), Bad English (“When I See You Smile”) and his illustrious solo career (“Missing You, “Change”). Fans will also get the chance to ask John questions during the set and hear some amazing stories. For more details call 269-756-3879.
15 West Michigan Symphony Pops, ‘Broadway Gentlemen’, Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon.7:30pm. Program: Show tunes sung by three Broadway leading men: Nathaniel Stampley, Sean MacLaughlin, and Cooper Grodin. Scott Speck, conductor. For details, visit www.WestMichiganSymphony.org
15 Kinsey Sicks Present Electile Dysfunction, Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Drive, Three Oaks. 7:30pm. Tickets: $25 - $35. The Kinsey Sicks as Rachel, Trampolina, Trixie and Winnie campaign to become the first Dragapella® Beautyshop Quartet to be elected President of the United States on the Republican ticket. For more details call 269-756-3879.
16 2016 Earth Day Lake Shore Celebration, Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven. Green Earth March: 12:30pm-1pm Parade from Washington St. to Columbus St. of anything/anyone that doesn't use fossil fuel. Fair: Grand Haven Community Center - 1pm-4pm Booths of environmental businesses and organizations, food, games. 1pm-4pm. Earth Rock Concert: Central Park - 4pm-7pm - free event with local bands, soloists and poets.
    A tree beginning to leaf out along the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck, Michigan
16 Woodcock Walk, Sarett Nature Center, 2700 Benton Center Drive, Benton Harbor. 8:30 am. Fee: $5/person - members $2. Join a Sarett naturalist for an evening walk looking and listening for the courtship song, dance and aerial display of the American Woodcock. Please register at 269-927-4832.
17 Piano Power - Free @ 3 Concert Series, First Reformed Church of Holland, 630 State Street, Holland. Jooyoung Kim - piano. 616-392-8085. 3pm. Free admission.
19-25 Earth Week 2016, various locations around Muskegon. Take a guided tour of the nature area, learn about local environmental projects undertaken by MCC students and instructors, enjoy collaborative artwork by local children and take a Rain Barrel, Sustainable Gardening or Hydroponics Workshop. For much more info, check out the Muskegon Area Earth Week Facebook page.
23 An Evening With Neil Jacobs, Howmet Playhouse, 304 S. Mears, Whitehall. 7:30 pm. Tickets: adults: $10, students: $5. Neil Jacobs plays Gypsy, World, Balkan Folk, Jazz, Classical, and Modern Fingerstyle on his 12-string acoustic guitar. Call 231-894-4048 for details or visit the website.
23 White Lake Guitar Fest, Book Nook and Java Shop, 8744 Ferry Street, Montague. Registration: $35 in advance (and includes all performances, workshops and events. Student registration: $25. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged on-line. Hourly workshops run from 10 – 5 p.m., presented by Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet members covering topics including finger picking strategies and exercises, improvisation, bar chords, playing up the neck, open tunings, classical guitar, song writing for guitar, using technology and the internet to improve guitar skills, jazz technique, easy leads for rock, the basic blues, and much more. Open mic Saturday, May 31, 7 p.m., at the Book Nook & Java Shop. Call 231-329-3056 for more information.
24 Lakeshore Blessing of the Bikes, Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 1286 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland. Motorcyclists and friends gather to start a responsible riding season and promote a safe rider community. Live music, food, silent auction. Gates open at 10am, blessing at 3pm. $5 donation per bike. Contact John at 616-283-1598 for info.
24 Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive, Allegan. 400 exhibitors. Season opening. 8am-4pm. Last Sunday of every month thru September. Call 616-735-3333 for information or visit www.AlleganAntiques.com
29-31 23rd Annual Art Attack Tour of Harbor Country: Harbert, Grand Beach, Lakeside, Michiana, New Buffalo, Sawyer, Three Oaks, Union Pier. Tour Harbor Country while enjoying local art exhibitions, wine tasting, music, theater, gallery receptions and more. Runs April 29 - May 1st.
30 Saugatuck Dune Rides, 6495 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. The popular dune schooner rides opens for the season. The exciting 35-40 minute ride takes you along the sand dunes to the lost village of Singapore and a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. Adults: $19.00, Children 3-11: $10. Children 2 and under: free. Dune rides run thru October 25th. 269-857-2253.
30 USS LST 393 Veterans Memorial Museum, 560 Mart Street, downtown Muskegon. Tours open for the year. See one of only two LST’s (Landing Ship Tank) remaining from 1,051 built during WWII.
30 Muskegon Farmers Market, 242 West Western Avenue, Muskegon. The Farmers Market opens for the season. 6am-3pm. Locally grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, baked goods, crafts and more. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday thru December 21. After Thanksgiving, Saturdays only.

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May 2016
Sunset over Lake Michigan in the spring in southwest Michigan
1 23rd Annual Art Attack Tour of Harbor Country: Harbert, Grand Beach, Lakeside, Michiana, New Buffalo, Sawyer, Three Oaks, Union Pier. Tour Harbor Country while enjoying local art exhibitions, wine tasting, music, theater, gallery receptions and more. Runs April 29 - May 1st.
1 Antiques on the Bluff, Lake Bluff Park, 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.
1 Loudon Wainwright III, Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Drive, Three Oaks. 8 pm. Tickets - general admission: $30, front 3 rows & center seating: $40. Grammy Award nominee and actor Loudon Wainwright III performs music from his two dozen album releases. For more details call 269-756-3879.
2Season Opening of Hackley & Hume Historic Site Tours, 484 W. Webster, Muskegon. Open thru October, Thursday thru Sunday. Call 231-722-0278 for details.
5-8 Into The Woods”, Muskegon Civic Theatre presentation on the Frauenthal Stage, 425 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon. Thu-Sat: 7:30pm; Sun: 3pm. For ticket info visit the Muskegon Civic Theatre web site or call 1-800-585-3737, or 616-222-4000.
6 Farm History Day, Michigan Flywheelers Museum, 06285 68th Street, South Haven. Take a self-guided tour of exhibits representing farm life in the past. Play old-time children’s games, watch corn grinding, town blacksmith and sawmill demonstrations and more. Gift shop, picnic area. Visit www.MichiganFlywheelers.org or call 269-639-2010.
7 Fiesta! Holland Civic Center & Eighth Street Marketplace, Holland. 10am-5pm.The Latin American United for Progress Fiesta draws over 20,000 people each year. Join the fun this year for Latino entertainment, lowrider car show, Fiesta King & Queen, live music, food. Call 616-392-5058 for information, or visit www.LAUPHolland.org
7 9th Annual White Lake Blues Fest, Howmet Playhouse, 304 S. Mears, Whitehall. 7:30 pm. LIVE SHOW features Joe Moss Band with Slyde Malone to benefit the KILLER BLUES HEADSTONE PROJECT to provide headstones for blues musicians lying in unmarked graves . Tickets: $20. Call 231-894-4048 for details or visit HowmetPlayhouse.org
7 Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises opens for the season. 716 Water Street, Saugatuck. Call 269-857-4261 for departure times and days.
7 Douglas Derby Day and Spring Preview, downtown Douglas. Come watch the Kentucky Derby in Douglas. The season kicks off at village galleries and shops, too. 12-7pm. Call 269-857-1438 for details.
7 Blossomtime Festival Grand Floral Parade, downtown St. Joseph & Benton Harbor. 1pm. The 110th celebration of the Blossomtime Festival. This year’s theme is ‘Blossomtime’s Greatest Hits’ with over 120 units including bands, floats, clowns, costumed characters, antique cars and tractors, unicycle teams, equestrian units and the famed Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team. The parade kicks off a week of family fun.
7 6th Annual Ottawa County Grand River Cleanup, 11 Harbor Island Drive, Grand Haven. 8:30am-1pm. The West Michigan Environmental Action Council celebrates Earth Week with their annual clean up of the Grand River. At least 300 volunteers are needed. Visit the website to register.
7-8 Tulip Time Art and Craft Fair, downtown Centennial Park, Holland. Dutch dancers, Tulip City tours, a wide variety of art and craft booths, 25,000 tulip plantings. Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: 10am-4pm
Red and yellow tulips in west Michigan
7-14 TULIP TIME FESTIVAL, Holland! See the schedule of events on Lake Effect Living’s Tulip Festival page, or visit www.tuliptime.com
10-13 Garden Club 70th Annual Tulip Time Flower Show, Herrick District Library Auditorium, 300 South River Avenue, Holland. Free to attend. For more info call 616-335-3394 or visit the website.
14 Grand Haven Farmer’s Market, Chinook Pier, downtown Grand Haven. The Saturday farmer’s market under the green canopy opens for the season. 8am-2pm. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays starting in June. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
13 Wednesday Holland Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 West 8th Street, Holland. 8am-3pm. The Wednesday Market opens officially for the season. Flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables, street performers, cooking demonstrations, contests, food court and more. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 13th through November 26th. Admission free. NO pets allowed. Call 616-355-1138 for more information.
13-15 Annual Steelheaders Tournament, Riverfront Park, South Pier, South Haven. Call 269-214-6934 for information.
14 Saugatuck-Douglas Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, Old Schoolhouse Garden, Center Street, Douglas. Hanging baskets, flats of annuals, perennials, rhodendrons and more. 10am-2pm. Proceeds benefit scholarship program for local high school graduates. Call Betsy Muir at 269-455-5047 for details.
14 The sailing ship ‘Friends Good Will’ begins their sailing season, Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven. Call 800-747-3810 or visit the website for more information.
14 Lindy Lou River Launch, Michigan Maritime Museum, , 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven. The river launch begins the season’s daily cruises along the Black River. Call 269-637-8078 for ticket info or visit www.MichiganMaritimeMuseum.org
14 Girls’ Afternoon Out, Fenn Valley Winery, 6130 22nd Avenue, Fennville. 11am-2pm. Topic to be announced. $35 per person, includes lunch, wine, tax and tip. Reservations required - Register online April 1st - will sell out quickly. Call 269-561-2396.
20 Veterans Job Fair, USS LST 393 Veterans Memorial Museum, 560 Mart Street, downtown Muskegon. To help veterans find work, hundreds of employers with jobs available will be on board the museum, which is moored at the Mart Dock. 231-288-4012 for details.
20-25 Fruitport Old Fashioned Days, downtown Fruitport. Annual family festival featuring fireworks, ox roast, community picnic, carnival midway rides, riverboat cruises, live bands, garage sale, Old Fashioned Days Parade and Run. Call Mike at 231-557-3262 for more information.
21 2016 BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass: A Taste of Michigan, Whirlpool Centennial Park, St. Joseph. 12-8pm. Tickets: $15 in Advance; $20 Day Of; Kids 8 & Under: Free. Celebrate spring and get ready for summer! Enjoy live music, craft beer, regional wines, and local BBQ!
    Kites hanging on the wall at Mackinaw Kites in Grand Haven, Michigan
21 Lunch with the Winemaker’, Fenn Valley Winery, 6130 22nd Avenue, Fennville. 1pm. A modified version of ‘Dinner with the Winemaker’, the event features four courses paired with wine. The lunch theme is 'The Islands of the Mediterranean' featuring food from Greece and Sicily. $37.50 per person. Reservations required. Call 269-561-2396 or register online at FennValley.com
21-22Great Lakes Kite Festival, Grand Haven State Park Beach, Grand Haven. 11am-5pm. Bring your kite to the beach and watch the sky fill with kites. Stunt kite fliers will perform to music, and kites bigger than a bus will be flown by the pier. Call Steve at 616-846-7501 x1 for more info.
21-31 'Earth Explorers' , Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids. Visit GRMuseum.org for details or call 1-800-585-3737 to order tickets by phone.
21 Saturday Holland Farmers Market, Eighth Street Marketplace, 150 West 8th Street, Holland. 8am-4pm. The Saturday Market opens officially for the season. Flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables, street performers, cooking demonstrations, contests, food court and more. Open Saturdays from May 16th through December 12th. Admission free. NO pets allowed. Call 616-355-1138 for more information.
21 Annual Armed Forces Day Memorial, USS LST 393 Veterans Memorial Museum, 560 Mart Street, Muskegon. Special presentations, music and speeches in honor of America’s Armed Forces service members. Free tours of the WWII landing ship tank. Visit www.LST393.org or call 231-730-1477.
21Mary Poppins (1964) - Free Family Movie Night, Howmet Playhouse, 304 South Mears Avenue, Whitehall. 7:30pm. See this classic film on the big screen. Popcorn and soda are free, too.
22 Holland Symphony Orchestra String Quartet - Free @ 3 Concert Series, First Reformed Church of Holland, 630 State Street, Holland. Amanda Dykhouse, Katie Bast - violins, Lauren Garza - viola and Richard Piippo - cello. 616-392-8085. 3pm. Free admission.
26 Shake Down Race, South Haven Yacht Club, 401 Williams Street, South Haven.
26 Tri-Cities Kiwanis Salmon Tournament, Chinook Pier, 301 North Harbor Drive, Grand Haven. 5:30am-1:30pm. Net proceeds support pediatric care at the local ER and children being treated at pediatric hospitals. Call 616-502-2222.
    The sailing ship Friends Good Will off South Haven, Michigan
26-27 Memorial Day Rib Fest, 20 North First Street, Grand Haven. Kick-off Party on Friday, May 22, ribs served 5-9pm. On Saturday, May 23, the entertainment tent opens at noon; rib fest 11am-7pm. Live music 2-11pm. Contact the VFW at 231-206-9604.
27-30 St. Mary of the Lake Festival, 704 W. Merchant Street, New Buffalo. The town’s official start to summer. Rides, silent auction, food, games, live music. Proceeds benefit St. Mary of the Lake School. 269-469-1515.
27 Blessing of the Fleet & Public Sails Begin, Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven. Blessing of the Fleet from 5:00pm-7:30pm. The sailing ship ‘Friends Good Will’ begins their sailing season with a blessing. 800-747-3810.
28 Saugatuck Chain Ferry Opening, Water Street, downtown Saugatuck. Noon. The chain ferry across the Kalamazoo River opens for the season. Weekends only until mid-June.
28 Kick-Off to Summer Run. 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven. Family event. Tot Trot obstacle course ages 3-6, 1 Mile Family Fun Run, US Track & Field Certified 5K. Visit www.tcfymca.org
29 Allegan Antique Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive, Allegan. 8am-4pm. Hundreds of exhibitors inside and outside. Held the last Sunday of the month thru September. Admission: $4. 616-735-3333.
29 Lake Effect Memorial Day Weekend, Muskegon Channel. Boating fun all weekend, which includes Blessing of the Boats, Muskegon Lost Boat Ceremony, Ceremonial Washing of the Lighthouse, and hear the diesel engines of the World War II submarine USS Silversides start up and roar. Visit LakeEffectBoating.com for a schedule of events.
29 Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum Opening, 735 Park Street, Saugatuck. Hours: May 29 thru Labor Day, Noon-4pm daily. Sept. – Oct., weekends only. The 2016 exhibition TBA.
29An Intimate Evening with JD Souther, Saugatuck Center of the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. 8pm. Musician, singer-songwriter and actor JD Souther wrote songs for and performed with The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Dixie Chicks, Brian Wilson, Roy Orbison, Bonnie Raitt and Bernadette Peters. Tickets: $42 advanced, $44 day of. Call 269-857-2399.
    Tractor-Flags-Parade-5352-480px
30 Memorial Day Parade, downtown Holland. Parade route travels from 8th Street and River to Columbia Avenue, south to 16th Street and east to the Pilgrim Home Cemetery. American Legion Band provides pre-parade music. 9:30am-10:30am.
30 Memorial Day Parade, downtown New Buffalo then along US-12 to the Cemetery. A memorial service will be conducted immediately after.
30 Memorial Day Parade, Lake Boulevard, St. Joseph. Noon. Parade begins at Park Street & Lake Blvd. and proceeds down Lake Blvd. to the John E. N. Howard Bandshell. Veterans who would like to participate should call 269-985-1111.30 Memorial Day Parade, downtown Fennville. 11am.
30 Spring Lake Memorial Day Parade, Spring Lake. 10:30am. Starts at the corner of Buchanan and Exchange Streets, goes east, and then turns south on Lake Avenue. From there it turns east onto River Street, then north onto Fruitport Road, ending at Spring Lake Township Cemetery. A memorial tribute to all veterans will be held at the cemetery.
30 Memorial Day Parade, Franklin Street to Waterfront Stadium, Grand Haven. 9:30am. 616-846-3575.
30 Coopersville Memorial Day Parade, downtown Coopersville. 9:30am. Visit www.coopersville.com or call 616-997-5164.
30 Memorial Day Parade, 9am in downtown South Haven beginning at Center Street and Michigan Avenue and continuing to Phoenix Street to Bailey Avenue, then north on Bailey to Lakeview Cemetery where a ceremony will take place around 9:45am. At 1pm, there will be a sloppy-joe lunch, free of charge, at the American Legion.
30 Memorial Day Parade, Butler Street, downtown Saugatuck. 9am.
30 Memorial Day Parade, Center Street, downtown Douglas. 10am.
    Saugatuck Chain Ferry in Saugatuck, Michigan

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

February 2016 - March 2016