January 2016

1	Sergeant Preston Race, Yukon King 6 Mile/5K Memorial Run Walk over the snowy dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan. Muskegon State Park, Winter Sports Complex. Register online or 9-10:30am at the Winter Sports Complex. Race starts at 11am. For more info, call Jeep Osborn at 231-206-5571.
2	Winter Break Get Outside Activity - Selfie Scavenger Hunt, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor. $3 admission for non-members, members and children under 13 are free. 10am-5pm. Visit Sarett and get ready to take a selfie! Take a picture of yourself with places shown on our Facebook page. Show a naturalist your pictures and win a prize. It is like a scavenger hunt only with selfies. You have to get a selfie in all 5 places to be eligible for a prize. You can walk or snowshoe (if there is snow). It is a great way to get outdoors, have some fun and win a prize. We’ll have a fire in the fireplace and the hot chocolate ready when you return to the nature center to claim your prize.
2-3	Christmas & Holiday Traditions Around the World, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids. 300,000 lights, 40 international holiday displays and trees, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, nativity scenes, The Railway Garden exhibit with new buildings, trolley rides, enhanced Nativity displays. Holiday display runs thru Jan. 5. Call 888-957-1580 or visit www.MeijerGardens.org
8-9	6th Annual Ice Sculpting Competition, 8th Street, downtown Holland. This Collegiate Ice Sculpture Invitational draws students from around the country. Marvel at the elaborate ice sculptures lining the streets of downtown.
15	West Michigan Symphony Presents: Luck of the Irish, Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon. 7:30pm. Tickets: ;$22-$52, Students $10. Cathie Ryan along with her band will provide an evening of Irish ballads and traditional music with guest conductor Andrew Koehler and the West Michigan Symphony orchestra.
15	Wine About Winter, downtown Grand Haven. Walking tour of downtown stores that will showcase West Michigan artists, along with wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. 5-9pm.
16	22nd Annual Twisting Trails Antique Snowmobile Show, 5875 Ruprecht Road, Twin Lake. 9am-4pm. Admission: $5 per person OR $10 per vehicle at gate. 7 classes of snowmobiles: Mini, Antique Original, Antique Restored, Vintage Original, Vintage Restored, Classic Original, Classic Restored - Trophies, Radar Runs, warm clubhouse, ride on club grounds.
16	Outdoor Winter Market, in front of the Holland Civic Center, 150 W. Eighth Street, Holland. 9am-noon. Beat the winter blues and pick up fresh, local breads, root vegetables, eggs, and much more!
16	17th Annual Chili Cook-off and Cellar Clearance Sales, Fenn Valley Vineyards, 6130 122nd Avenue, Fennville. Compete for the best chili in several categories. Those who don’t want to compete are invited to bring an appetizer or pot of chili for the ‘wine lovers’ potluck’. Chili contestants must pre-register. Potluck begins at 2pm. 269-561-2396.
16	Snowshoe Hike with the Outdoor Discovery Center, Keppel Forest, 2117 Lakewood Blvd, Holland. 10-11:30am. Explore the out-of-doors for signs of winter wildlife while walking in the Center's Ojibwa-style snowshoes. Dress for the weather outside. Register at parktown.org
23	Winter Bugs Me! at the Outdoor Discovery Center, Sanctuary Woods, 4750 66th Street, Laketown Township 11am-noon. Learn about insects or signs of insects you might find in winter then head outside with a naturalist to see what you can find. $4/person. Registration required - call 616-393-9453.
28-31	Winterfest 2016, Grand Haven. Annual long weekend of winter fun with indoor and outdoor activities. Human Sled Race, Family Dog Pull, Cardboard Sled Race, Skiing, Snowboarding, Euchre Tournament, Kid’s Day, snow angel contest, winter luau, hamster/gerbil race, music venues and more. For more info, visit the Winterfest website.
29	Superb Owl Prowl with the Outdoor Discovery Center, Sanctuary Woods, 4750 66th Street, Laketown Township 6-8pm. Hike the dunes of Laketown Township's Sanctuary Woods in search of resident and migratory owls. The group will try to call in Eastern Screech, Barred and Great Horned Owls as they hike. Flashlights are welcome. Free, but registration required - call 616-393-9453.
30	Snowfest 2016, downtown Muskegon. Come join the fun as the Greater Muskegon Jaycees host a number of activities including a snow volleyball tournament, team trivia night, snow cornhole tournament, kidsfest, and battle of the bowls.
Feb 5-7	23rd Annual Ice Breaker Festival, South Haven. Winter festival showcasing professional, amateur and student ice sculptures, Chili Cook-off, Pub Slide, outdoor ice skating, horse drawn wagon rides, s’mores roasting, snowball throwing competition and other activities in downtown South Haven. Ends February 7th.

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