Calendar of Events

October & November 2011


Autumn colors along a twisty road to Oval Beach - Saugatuck, MI

October 2011
1 Douglas Oktoberfest, Center Street, downtown Douglas. Noon-8pm. Parade, 35-piece German band, Kinderplatz kids games, food tents, Best Dressed Herr & Fraulein contest, Strudel Meisters and more.
1 DeGrandchamp Cranberry Harvest, DeGrandchamp Farms, 76241 14th Avenue (off Blue Star Hwy), South Haven. Come to the farm to celebrate the harvest. Visit the gift shop and enjoy the cranberries. 9am-5pm. Call 269-637-3915 for information.
1 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
1 Saturday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
1 Saturday 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-2pm.
1 Eastown Fallfest 5K, East Grand River Park, Grand Haven. 8am-noon. 5K Run/Walk, pancake breakfast, entertainment tent, pets, children’s activities, Parade a Palooza, Big Wheel Race, Taste of Eastown. Call Annette at 616-405-3353 for details.
    Kalamazoo River in fall colors across from Saugatuck, MI
1-2 22nd 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 seven artist studios and ten Lakeshore Harvest Country farms. Call 269-236-9260 for info or visit www.bluecoastartists.com.
1-9 Artwalk at The Fire Barn Gallery, 18 N. Fifth Street, Grand Haven. Exhibit runs through Oct. 9 and features the work of local and international artists. Vote for your favorite Artwalk piece. Call 517-775-6112 for details.
1-9 17th 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 Twelfth Night. Tickets are $6-$14.
1-31 ‘Metamorphose’ Exhibit, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven. New media artwork exhibit including video, photography, sound art and more. Call 269-637-1041 for details. Exhibit runs through November 13th.
1-20 ‘Farm Fresh’ Art Exhibit, Nuveen Community Center for the Arts, 8697 Ferry Street, Montague. Local artists celebrate and depict Michigan’s farming heritage.
1-30 The 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 $14.50, Children 2-12 $11.50, Seniors 60+ $13.50. Call 616-997-7000 for information.
    White window in a red barn wall
1-30 Steven Donley Photographic Exhibit, White River Gallery, 8701 Ferry Street, Montague. Digital images, nature photos, printed on copper, brass and other plates. Call 231-894-8659.
2 Sunday 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-2pm.
4 Folk Jam Night, Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main Street, Coopersville. Bring your own acoustic instrument on the first and third Tuesday of each month and jam along. Or just sit back and enjoy the music. 6pm - 9pm. 616-997-8555.
5 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138 for info.
5 Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
5 Wednesday Farmers Market, Farmers Market Pavilion, North Main Street parking lot, Coopersville. 8am to 1pm. 616-997-5164.
5 Sunset Yoga, Grand Haven City, Grand Haven. 8pm - 9:15pm. $5.00 fee. Weather permitting, bring water bottle and beach towel. 616-844-1900.
6 Thursday Farm & Garden Market, Church Street, downtown Spring Lake. 9am to 2pm. 616-842-4910.
Pumpkins on pallets in a greenhouse
7 Friday Greenmarket, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck. 8am-2pm. Last marketday of the season. 269-857-2399.
7 Friday Farmers Market, Veterans Memorial Park, W. Randall Street, Coopersville. 2pm to 7pm. Call 616-997-5164 for details.
7-8 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. Call Cindy at 231-740-6886 for information.
7-9 Harvest Paddle Fest, St. Joseph. All-day paddle trip on Saturday along the St. Joseph River (from Berrien Springs to St. Joseph). Sunday paddle trips on Lake Michigan and Paw Paw. Friday and Saturday evenings will feature wine tasting from area vineyards, live street music and food at the St. Joseph Harvest Festival.
8 Harvest & Wine Festival, downtown New Buffalo. Noon-10pm. . Food, wines, family activities, music and more.
8 Harvest Festival, the corner of Pleasant and State Streets, St. Joseph.

11am-3pm. The season’s last Farmers Market, petting zoo, free horse-drawn trolley rides, cider press demonstrations by Jollay Orchards, and more. Free.

8 Kiwanis Club Pancake Day, Whitcomb Tower, downtown St. Joseph. 7:30am-11:30am. $5.00. Proceeds go to playground equipment for Kiwanis and Riverside Parks. Sponsored by St. Joseph Kiwanis Club.
8 Country 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.
8 5th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Country Road Rally, Riverbend Farms, 44 72nd Street, South Haven. A fun-filled ride through lakeshore country as teams follow clues and look for back road destinations. Trophy awarded to winning team. $15 in advance or $20 per vehicle on day of rally. For details, call Julie at 269-270-1473.
    Wade's Bayou in autumn - Saugatuck, MI
8 29th Annual Fire Truck Parade, downtown Holland. To celebrate Fire Prevention Week, over 50 trucks take part in a parade which begins at 8th Street and Columbia Avenue. 10am. Call 616-394-0000 for info.
8 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
8 Saturday 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-2pm.
8 Annual Vander Fest, 14921 Cleveland Avenue, Spring Lake. Vander Mill hosts its first Fall Craft, Beer and Cider Festival. Local restaurant owners, beer and cider producers. 4pm-10pm. Call Paul at 616-842-4337 for more info.
8 Pumpkin 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 9:30am. Call 800-879-9702 for details.
8 Art & All That Jazz, Center Street, Douglas. Visit the shops and galleries of charming downtown Douglas. 6-8pm. The Jim Cooper Group will perform Latin, Swing and Fusion music at Kitchens West, 150 Center St.
8 Saturday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. Call 616-842-4910 for info.
8-9 34th Annual Gallery Stroll Weekend, downtown Douglas and Saugatuck. Noon-5pm. Many artists will be working in the galleries and studios.
Crane's Orchards in fall with pumpkins
8-31 ‘Perpetual Motion’, Water Street Gallery, 98 Center Street, Douglas. This painting and sculpture exhibition runs through Nov. 2nd. Opening reception held on Oct. 8th, noon – 5pm.
9 Chili-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.
9 Harvest Days Chili Cook-off, corner of Red Arrow Highway & Lakeshore Road, New Buffalo (Skip’s Restaurant).
9 Sunday 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-2pm.
11 West 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.
11 Blues Jam, Foundry Hall, 422 Eagle Street, South Haven. Held once a month on every second Wednesday. 7pm. 269-206-3059.
12 Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
12 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
12 Wednesday Farmers Market, Farmers Market Pavilion, North Main Street parking lot, Coopersville. 8am to 1pm. 616-997-5164.
    Autumn along the Black River in South Haven, MI
13 Thursday Farm & Garden Market, Church Street, downtown Spring Lake. 9am to 2pm. 616-842-4910.
14 Friday Farmers Market, Veterans Memorial Park, W. Randall Street, Coopersville. 2pm to 7pm. 616-997-5164.
15 Fall Funfest Day, Coghlin Park, Culver Street, Saugatuck. Pumpkin carving, Tug of War, food, live music, pie eating, pumpkin launch and more. 11am-4pm. 269-857-1626 for more info.
15 Saturday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
15 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
15 Fall Arts & Crafts Show, New Buffalo High School Gym, New Buffalo. More than 90 exhibitors, food and bake sale. 9:30am-4pm. Admission $1.00. Call 269-469-3180 for more information.
15 In 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.
15 Depot 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 800-250-9283 or visit www.visitmuskegon.org for details.
Urn under fall colored trees in Douglas, MI
18-21 New Natural History Tour, Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor. Join this fall foliage trip to the Hocking Hills of southern Ohio and enjoy waterfalls, limestone gorges, winding country roads, rock formations and dazzling fall color. Call 269-927-4832 for details or visit www.sarett.com/hockinghills.htm.
18 Folk Jam Night, Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main Street, Coopersville. Bring your own acoustic instrument on the first and third Tuesday of each month and jam along. Or just sit back and enjoy the music. 6pm - 9pm. 616-997-8555.
19 Wednesday Farmers Market, Farmers Market Pavilion, North Main Street parking lot, Coopersville. 8am to 1pm. 616-997-5164.
19 Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
19 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
21 Friday Farmers Market, Veterans Memorial Park, W. Randall Street, Coopersville. 2pm to 7pm. 616-997-5164.
21-25 Founder’s Fest Celebration, downtown Holland. Celebrate the 200th birthday of Holland’s founder Van Raalte with numerous museum and library exhibits, Dutch music concerts by the Holland Symphony Orchestra and more. Visit www.DutchHeritageWestMichigan.com for a list of events.
22 Saturday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
22 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
Brown field in autumn with colorful trees along the edge in Fennville, MI
22 GrooveWalk, downtown Holland. 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 616-988-6187 for more information.
22 Greek Night, American Hellenic Center, 17760 Behner Road, New Buffalo. Greek food, music and dancing. Happy Hour 5-6pm. Dinner at 6:30pm. Free parking.
22 Hands-On Porcelain Workshop Weekend, Khnemu Studio, 6322 113th Avenue, Fennville. 10am-4pm: Saturday & Sunday. Artist Elizabeth Lurie will teach precision techniques for throwing and hand building with porcelain. $80 per person. Reservations required. Call 269-236-9260.
22 Spook House, Coral Gables Restaurant, 220 Water Street, Saugatuck. Scary Halloween fundraiser. Children and families on Saturday; adults only on Friday Oct. 28th. Call 269-857-1701 for details.
23 Star of Saugatuck Cruise, Water Street, Saugatuck. Last trip of the season.
23 Boo On Your Bike. Ride starts at Kal-Haven trailhead at Bailey & Wells, South Haven. Get the family and friends together and bike the Kal-Haven Trail. Noon-3pm. Free. Scary surprises and treats will appear along the way. Costumes recommended. Free biking safety clinics; also free helmets for kids until supply runs out. 269-639-0003.
26 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
26 Wednesday Farmers Market, Farmers Market Pavilion, North Main Street parking lot, Coopersville. 8am to 1pm. 616-997-5164.
26 Wednesday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
The Olive Mill in autumn in Saugatuck, MI
28 Great Halloween Spectacle, downtown St. Joseph. 5pm-9pm. Howl-O-Ween Dog Dress Up begins at 5pm. Dress up your doggie and win a prize. At 7pm, kids go trick or treating at participating area stores.
28 Friday Farmers Market, Veterans Memorial Park, W. Randall Street, Coopersville. 2pm to 7pm. 616-997-5164.
28-29 Spook House, Coral Gables Restaurant, 220 Water Street, Saugatuck. Scary Halloween fundraiser. Children and families on Saturday; adults only on Friday Oct. 28th. Call 269-857-1701 for details.
29 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
29 Halloween Harvest Festival, downtown Saugatuck. 10am-5pm. Childrens Halloween Parade, live music, craft booths, storytelling, entertainment and more. 269-857-1701.
29 Adult 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.
Wade's Bayou in fall with ducks in foreground - Douglas, MI
29 Saturday Farmers Market, Chinook Pier, (beneath the green canopy), Grand Haven. 8am-2pm. 616-842-4910.
30 Kid Alert in downtown St. Joseph! Free Rides on the Silver Beach Carousel and free admission to the Curious Kids’ Museum from 4-6pm.
31 Halloween Downtown, Grand Haven. Children are invited to trick or treat at downtown stores. 4 to 6pm. Call 616-844-1188 for details.

November 2011
1 Folk Jam Night, Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main Street, Coopersville. Bring your own acoustic instrument on the first and third Tuesday of each month and jam along. Or just sit back and enjoy the music. 6pm - 9pm. 616-997-8555.
1-13 ‘Metamorphose’ Exhibit, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven. New media artwork exhibit including video, photography, sound art and more. Call 269-637-1041 for details. Exhibit runs through November 13th.
1-30 Marilyn Ryan Textile Exhibit, White River Gallery, 8701 Ferry Street, Montague. Wearable art as well as three-dimensional textile pieces. Call 231-894-8659.
2 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
3 Autumn Harvest Dinner, Fenn Valley Winery, Fennville. Chef Christine Ferris will prepare foods grown in Lakeshore country, pairing them with Fenn Valley wines. Order tickets in advance. $40 per person. Doors open at 5:30pm, dinner at 6pm.
5 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
5 Mona Shores Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, Mona Shores High School, 1121 W. Seminole, Muskegon. Over 165 Michigan exhibitors. 9am-3pm. Admission $1.00. Call 231-780-4748 for more information.
5 Art & All That Jazz, Center Street, Douglas. Visit the shops and galleries of charming downtown Douglas. 6-8pm. The Jim Cooper Group will perform Latin, Swing and Fusion music at Kitchens West, 150 Center St.
douglasstreetfall
9 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
11-12 Holiday Craft Bazaar, First Congregational Church, 296 Hoffman Street, Saugatuck. Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-4pm. Crafts, homemade baked goods, jams. 269-857-2929.
12 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
15 Folk Jam Night, Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main Street, Coopersville. Bring your own acoustic instrument on the first and third Tuesday of each month and jam along. Or just sit back and enjoy the music. 6pm - 9pm. 616-997-8555.
16 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
17-27 Festival 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. Call 231-720-2570 for more information.
18 Light 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.
18 Luminary Festival, downtown St. Joseph. Dusk to 9pm. The holiday season begins as stores stay open late and 800 luminaries light the streets. Refreshments, free horse-drawn trolley rides. Vote for your favorite holiday window.
18 ‘After the Prize’ Reception, Nuveen Community Center for the Arts, 8697 Ferry Street, Montague. Meet the local artists who were part of the Grand Rapids ArtPrize and view their works. Call 231-894-2787.
ovalsunsetsnowfence
18-19 White 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 8pm. 231-893-4585.
18-30 Mistletoe 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 18th from 5-7pm. Market runs through Dec. 11th.
19 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
19 Holiday Kerstmarkt, Eighth Street Market Place Holidays, Holland. 9am-3pm. Open-air European Christmas market. Call 616-394-0000 for more information.
19 Holiday 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.
19 Holiday 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.
Fall trees overlooking the channel at South Haven, MI
23 Wednesday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
24 Ice 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.
25 Holiday Kerstmarkt, Eighth Street Market Place Holidays, Holland. 9am-8pm. Open-air European Christmas market. Call 616-394-0000 for more information.
25 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Wicks Park, Water Street, Saugatuck. 5pm. Visit from Santa, food, live music, games for children and more. 269-857-1626.
25-30 Parade & Festival of Trees, City Hall, 539 Phoenix Street, South Haven. 269-637-4342. Annual fund-raising event offers holiday trees and wreaths for sale. Parade will be held Friday Nov. 26th.
26 Saturday Farmers Market, Eighth Street Market Place, Holland. 8am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. 616-355-1138.
26 Holiday Kerstmarkt, Eighth Street Market Place Holidays, Holland. 9am-3pm. Open-air European Christmas market. Call 616-394-0000 for more information.
26 Family Christmas, Hackley Park, Muskegon. Hot chocolate, hot dogs, carolers, Santa and the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Call 231-724-3180 for details.
26-30 The Santa Train Excursion, Coopersville & Marne Railway, 311 Danforth Street, Coopersville. Train runs Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 18th. 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.
27-30 Holiday Tours, Hackley & Hume Historic Site, downtown Muskegon. Noon-4pm. The Hume site’s holiday decorations celebrate the late 1800s and early 1900s; the Depression Era Scolnich House is decorated circa late 1920s. Call 231-722-0278 or visit www.lakeshoremuseum.org
29 Holiday Kerstmarkt, Eighth Street Market Place Holidays, Holland. 3pm-8pm. Open-air European Christmas market. Call 616-394-0000 for more information.
29 Parade of Lights, downtown Holland. Santa arrives during this annual parade of floats, vehicles and people illuminated by holiday lights. Over 50 parade entries. 6:30pm. 616-988-6187.
    Sailboat moored along the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck, MI

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

October - November '11