August 15 – August 22, 2012

Well, I’m getting this posted a little early this week.  I’m going to be rather busy this upcoming week and wanted to make sure everyone gets the information they need. If you have a favorite place you like to go with your family, please let me know.  I’d like to start to create a list of family-friendly restaurants and fun activities, that I can keep in one spot.  How about anything fun you like to do when you have the option of a babysitter? I’m definitely always looking for a fun date-night!  Are you? 

Also, I started a Facebook page: Family Fun in Southwest Michigan, and so far, so good! It was pretty easy to get it up and running, and hopefully, soon, we’ll have people from all over getting to see what fun things there are to do here! 

As you know, I am always looking for more family friendly events to add. Please send any that you know about my way! Thank you! I just found out that you may have to log into Google to leave a message below.  Please note, you can also send me an email at: familyfuninSWMI@gmail.com.

 List of Events:

·         Berrien County Youth Fair – Aug. 13 – 18

·         The Music of Queen – Aug. 18

·         Wright for Kids presents Rock for Kids – Aug. 18

·         Community Picnic and Fun Day – Aug. 18

·         Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show – Aug. 18

·         Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon – Aug. 19

·         31^st Annual Lakefront Arts Festival – Aug. 18 – 19

·         Free Butterfly Program – Sun. Aug. 19

Weekly Activities:

·         Sarett Nature Center

·         Friday Night Concerts

·         St. Joseph Farmer’s Market

·         Harbor Market in Benton Harbor

·         Power In Motion

·         YMCA

·         Curious Kids Museums

·         Movies and other Library Fun

For Parents Only:

·         Twilight in the Garden – Sat. Aug. 18

·         Women of Paris, the Great Ladies of Song – Sat. Aug. 18

Upcoming Events

·         Check Please! Farm to Table Festival – Sept. 2

·         Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival – Sept. 7 – 9  

Berrien County Youth Fair

Monday, August 13 – Saturday, August 18, 2012

Rides wristbands are on sale now! Rides Wristbands are on sale from July 6th to Aug. 3rd. $13 at all Honor Credit Union offices. Save big and buy early! Can use any one day Aug. 13 - 18th.

Please note: on Tuesday, August 14, High School children and younger are admitted for FREE to the Fair for Kid's Day!
http://www.bcyf.org/index.php

For over 66 years, families have made a tradition out of attending the Berrien County Youth Fair in Berrien Springs Michigan. With its rich history, thousands continue to flock to one of the largest county fairs in the Midwest. The Berrien County Youth Fair has continuously ranked among the top fairs and festivals in Michigan.

For more information, please check out their website:

http://www.bcyf.org/

The Music of Queen

Saturday, Aug. 18, Concert 7:30pm / Doors Open 5:30pm • Shadowland Pavilion, St. Joseph. Admission is: $5-$25

Classic rock meets symphony orchestra at this amazing tribute to the music of the legendary band Queen. The SMSO teams up with rock group Jeans ‘n Classics and the Citadel Symphony Chorus for this amazing journey back to the 70s and 80s with Queen’s classic hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, Somebody to Love and many more.

http://www.smso.org/Concerts/Summer/SummerBeachConcert4.html

Wright for Kids Presents Rock For Kids
Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18

Arcadia Creek Festival Place

145 E. Water Street

Kalamazoo, MI 49007

This one may technically fall under the heading of “For Parents Only”, but, it starts early enough if you have younger rock-n-roll lovers in your family!

Newly named, the Arcadia Rock Fest, we have changed our name to truly reflect that this is a rock concert that celebrates our best rock bands (no, we aren't bringing in the "real" bands, but a tribute to them) and having a true rock-out concert. But, it is about raising money to support our kids, right here in our community. So, all your money spent helps to raise money for kids. Check out the tab "Wright for Kids Donations" and you can see how the money supports our kids in our community. Now, let's talk ROCK. The concerts start at 5:30 pm, check out the schedule under Entertainment. There's great food on site, there's a VIP Tent where companies have spent a lot of money to eat a fabulous meal, by Carrabba's Italian Grill, and it's all raising money for Wright for Kids. The gate admission fee is simple - $10 and we all can afford $10 to see amazing bands, and have a blast.
For more information, please call: 269-388-2830, or visit the website: www.wrightforkids.com

COMMUNITY PICNIC & FUN DAY hosted by St. Joseph First United Methodist Church
Saturday, August 18, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Kiwanis Park

Pearl Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Join us for FREE food, inflatable games, kickball, basketball, badminton, bocce ball, ladder ball, cornhole, face painting and a chance to win a Kindle, a bucket of candy, or kids’ toys! We'd love to get to know you and your family.
For more information, please call: 269-983-3929 or visit the website:  www.sjfirstumc.org

Dowagiac Rod & Roll Classic Auto Show
Saturday, August 18, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Downtown Dowagiac, Front Street

Dowagiac, MI 49047

Classic autos and motorcycles cruise into historic Dowagiac for the Rod & Roll Classic Auto Show of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce. Winning autos receive trophies, with dash plaques presented to the first 150 entries. Festival goers will enjoy 1950s music, auto games, the Tailgate Treasures' Flea Market, a Lions Club pancake breakfast and barbecue by Pure Pork. Activities open in the central business district at 7:30 a.m. Admission: None.
For more information, please call: 269-782-8212, or check out the website: www.swmichigan.org/events-august-2012.html

Great Lakes Surf Luau

Aug 18, 2012, 3:00 PM

New Buffalo City Beach

The 9th Annual Great Lakes Surf Luau will take place at New Buffalo City Beach on Saturday, August 18. Hosted by Third Coast Surf Shop, this free, family-friendly event brings people from across the Midwest together for a unique celebration of the freshwater-surfing lifestyle.
The luau kicks off at 3 pm (Eastern Standard Time) when six-person teams compete in a paddleboard relay race. Participants of all skill levels can register for the race beginning at 2 pm, and trophies will be awarded to division winners. A beach clean-up will follow at 4 pm.
Starting at 5 pm, events will move across the street to Lions Pavilion Park. Activities will include live music from four regional bands, a hog roast, a surf flea market, and an outdoor surf movie screening at dusk. A raffle will be held during the festivities for a variety of surf-related prizes, with raffle tickets available for $5 at Lions Pavilion Park and at Third Coast Surf Shop, 110-C N. Whittaker Street, New Buffalo. A limited number of special-edition luau t-shirts will also be available for $15 throughout the day.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, go to www.thirdcoastsurfshop.com or call 269-932-4575 x 3.

Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon

Sunday, August 19, 7:00 am

Race will begin at Tiscornia Park (if the current is flowing South to North) or at Rocky Gap Park (if the current is flowing North to South) and will end at Jean Klock Park. The water will be 10-12 feet deep and the water temperature is usually 60-74 degrees.

This 70.3 mile course includes biking, running and swimming. Race begins at 7 a.m. with the swim followed by the bike and finally ending with the run. Once the swim is completed, participants should continue on to the Transition Area located in a large parking lot located in Jean Klock Park where plenty of bike racks are secured by event staff. Bike Course: The 56-mile course will take triathletes through northern Berrien Count and eastern Van Buren County. The Run: The 13.1 mile run takes place on roadways and the Whirlpool Corporate Campus. The course is subject to change and final course description and maps will be posted two weeks before the event. www.steelheadtriathlon.com.
For more information, please call: 269-985-1111 or visit the website: www.sjtoday.org/events/whirlpool-steelhead-tri.html

31st Annual Lakefront Arts Festival

Saturday, August 18 - 19, 2012

Location: Michigan City's Washington Park, Michigan City, IN

Website: www.lubeznikcenter.org

Phone: 219-874-4900

Lubeznik Center's Lakefront Art Festival brings the very best of art and fine crafts by artists from across the country to Michigan City's Washington Park. Proceeds benefit exhibits, programs, and community outreach bringing art experiences to thousands of local school children. Free off-site parking and shuttle are available. Admission is $4. Children 12 years of age and under are free. Washington Park, Michigan City, IN

Free Butterfly Program

Aug 19, 2012, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: International Friendship Gardens

Website: www.friendshipgardens.org

Contact: Nancy Barnes

Email: internationalfriendshipgardens@yahoo.com

Phone: 219-878-9885

Some people call them "flying flowers". Butterflies have been hit hard by pesticides, habitat loss and unfriendly weather.(Recently, in their mountain wintering area millions of Monarchs froze to death.) We can help them recover and do well.

Sunday, August 19, at Noon Eastern Laura Tucker,an Advanced Master Gardener, will give a presentation using live butterflies at the Butterfly Garden in International Friendship Gardens in Michigan City. Help us understand what is needed in a garden to attract and help them, which locations are best and which plants are necessary. She will also demonstrate how to tag a butterfly and release it (weather permitting).

Children’s activities will include crafts and lessons relating to butterflies. This entire afternoon program is free and partially sponsored by a grant from MCCEC.

The Gardens are located just east of Michigan City on Highway 12. For more information, you may call 219.878.9885 and leave a message.

Weekly Events: 

Sarett Nature Center

2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

(1^st Exit off of 196)

Phone: 269-927-4832
Website: www.sarett.com/summer.htm

Butterfly Bonanza
August 15, 2012, 3:00 pm

Enjoy a special tour of the butterfly house and gardens at a special price. $4 per adult, $1 per kid, members and their children $1 each.

ROCK AND ROLL
Saturday, August 17, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

For ages 8-12. Study rocks at a gravel pit and the beach. Make a rock collection. Fee $15, members $12.

Friday Night Concerts

Concerts each Friday night June 15th through August 31st. Admission: Free.
Friday, August 17, 2012

John E.N. Howard Bandshell

500 Port Street, ST. Joseph, MI 49085

Attila Trio + One will be performing!

Please see the St. Joseph Today website for more details: www.sjtoday.org/events/friday-night-concert.html

St. Joseph Farmer's Market

Every Saturday, beginning June 2 through October 6, 2012, from 9 am to 2 pm.
Every Wednesday, beginning June 27 through August 29, from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Lake Bluff Park, between Broad and Pleasent Streets.

"Going to the downtown Farmer's Market used to be limited to the treat of selecting your own ripe, succulent fruits and vegetables. Things have changed! Saturday morning at the Market now includes jams, honey, hearth-baked breads and fine pastries, perennials, cut flowers, organic vegetables and so much more!

Take the time to chat with vendors who will share recipes, planting recommendations and cooking tips. Also, plan to visit with several friends since the number of people attending this weekly event has continued to grow over the last few years. It's a Saturday tradition! The Farmer's Market takes place every Saturday June - Oct and Wednesday's during peak summer months - June, July, August. The Market is located in Lake Bluff Park on Lake Blvd. between Broad and Pleasant Sts."

Harbor Market in Benton Harbor
An All-Local Farmer's and Craft Market For The Community Of Benton Harbor Michigan!

Parking lot near Mosaic Resale Store and Café Mosaic

510 W. Main Street

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

For more information, please call: (224)209-9968 or visit the website: www.Harbor-Market.com

The mission of Harbor Market is to support, promote and grow micro-businesses in the Benton Harbor area.
Through a no-fee outdoor market, farmers, individuals, organizations, and small businesses will have the opportunity to:
- Earn more income
- Test new-product/new business viability
- View similar business models and make beneficial adjustments
- Engage and develop partnerships with other micro-business owners
- Access sales, marketing, financial, technical and product development advisors
- Test personal commitment

Our community will benefit from a new spirit of entrepreneurship; a new venue for tourism; and a new pride in what is grown, made and sold in our area...Local is better!

Lincoln Township Public Library

www.lincolntownshiplibrary.org

2099 W. John Beers Road

Stevensville, MI

269/429-9575

Things are slowing down for the library, now that the summer reading program has concluded.  There are still plenty of story times and two group book discussions.  Take a look at the website for dates and times.

Read! Build! Play!

Nominate Your Library…

…and support those unsung heroes of story time!
The winning library receives $5,000. The top 200 get innovative early literacy toolkits. Nominations accepted through October 1, 2012.

Did you know, the Lincoln Township Library is currently in 43^rd place? Let’s keep the nominations coming!

http://www.readbuildplay.com/index.cfm

Maude Preston Palenske Memorial Library

500 Market Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

269/983-7167

 

Poetry Reading

Saturday, August 18^th, 2:00pm – 4:00 pm:
From 2pm - 4pm we'll have a poetry reading at the library. Bring your own poetry to share, or read a favorite poem. Listen to poems both classic and new.

Read! Build! Play!

Nominate Your Library…

…and support those unsung heroes of story time!
The winning library receives $5,000. The top 200 get innovative early literacy toolkits. Nominations accepted through October 1, 2012.

I did not see the St. Joseph Library on the top 200 list… so you need to vote !

Power In Motion

www.pimgymnastics.com

3889 S. M-139

St. Joseph, MI 49085

269/429-5100

Register now for Fall Classes! New to their website, you can register for classes online, as well as pay for the classes online!

Open Gym: Friday 8:00 – 9:30 pm

Saturday 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Admission: $5

A signed waiver must be completed prior to children participating. 

YMCA – Benton Harbor-St. Joseph

3665 Hollywood Road

St. Joseph, MI 49085

269/428-YMCA

www.bhsjymca.org

The Fall Schedule is now available for classes for all ages.  Check out the website for the latest schedules!

Family Float – Weekly, Fridays and Saturdays

Swimming pool open to families- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult in the water.

Friday, 6:30 to 8:00

Saturday, 4:00 to 5:45 pm

Free for YMCA members, $14 for families

Curious Kids Museum

www.curiouskidsmuseum.org

415 Lake Blvd.

St. Joseph, MI 49085

269/983-CKID

Beginning Monday, June 25, Family Programming, Fun for the Whole Family! Free with your paid admission, every day has a different theme. From 1:30 to 3:00 pm each day. 

Mondays: Shiver Me Timbers, It’s a Pirates Life for Me

Tuesdays: What Do You Know About Dinosaurs?

Wednesdays: Animals ALIVE with Sarett Nature Center

Thursdays: Beach Party

Fridays: Finger Paint

August 18, 12 – 4 pm, free with admission

“All About the 50 States”

Curious Kids – Discovery Zone

333 E. Broad Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Beginning Monday, June 25, Family Programming, Fun for the Whole Family! Free with your paid admission, every day has a different theme. From 1:30 to 3:00 pm each day. 

Mondays: Brown Bag Puppets

Tuesdays: Splatter, Splash, Squish

Wednesdays: Insects

Thursdays: Animals ALIVE with Love Creek Nature Center

Fridays: Awesome Ocean Animals

August 18, 12 – 4 pm, free with admission

“Rain Forest Animals”

Family Fun Night  at the Silver Beach Carousel

333 E. Broad Street – Weekly, Thursdays

4:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Want to create more good times with your kids? Have we got the place for you! Come to Silver Beach Carousel every Thursday from 4-8:30 p.m, admission is half price! You’ll build happy memories.

For Parents Only (get a babysitter, and have a fun night out!):

Twilight in the Garden
Saturday, August 18, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Lake Cliff Gardens

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Join Water Street Glassworks for an evening in the spectacular gardens of Lake Cliff Gardens, the home of Robert and Barbara Weinrich. Throughout the evening you’ll enjoy culinary delights from Tom Sizer and have the chance to stroll the gardens with exhibit curator Susan Wilczac. All sculptures are for sale and there will be a selection of silent auction items that you can take home with you that night. The evening will come to a close with a private concert from Jenna Mamina. To purchase tickets, call Water Street Glassworks at 269-925-5555.

For more information, please call: 269-925-5555, or visit the website: www.waterstreetglassworks.org

Women of Paris: the Great Ladies of Song
Saturday, August 18, 7:30 pm

Box Factory for the Arts

1101 Broad Street

ST. Joseph, MI 49085

What: Two popular Chicago cabaret singers return to the Box Factory for the Arts stage on Aug. 18 at 7:30 pm to pay homage to the 20th century women who brought Paris to the world with their songs. Singer-actor Claudia Hommel and singer-pianist Elizabeth Doyle will present “Women of Paris: the great ladies of song”. Included will be the songs of Yvette Guilbert, Paulette Darty, Mistinguett, Josephine Baker, Bricktop, Lucienne Boyer, Juliette Gréco, Edith Piaf. Joining the women as guest musicians will be local favorites Gregg Ladewski on cello and Marcus Robinson, guitar. The program will be performed in two acts, including Fascination, Mon homme (My Man), J’ai amours (Two Loves Have I), Parlez-moi d’amour, Padem padem, Cole Porter’s Find Me Primitive Man and Miss Otis Regrets. For this special concert, there will be limited reserved cabaret seating directly in front of the stage. Tickets for cabaret seating are $25 and include a free wine ticket. Regular concert seating is $12 general admission and $10 students and seniors. Wine will be available for purchase.
For more information, please call: 269-983-3688 or visit the website: www.boxfactoryforthearts.org/calendar

Some Upcoming Events:

Check Please! Farm to Table Festival

Sunday, September 2, 2012, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Round Barn Winery Estate, Baroda Michigan

Check, Please!, Chicago's favorite restaurant television show, is turning the tables on traditional food festivals by bringing an all-star lineup of award-winning chefs to a working farm (Round Barn Estate & Tasting Room) for its first annual Farm to Table Festival. The Check, Please! Farm to Table Fest, taking place on Sunday, September 2, in the beautiful rolling countryside of Southwest Michigan, will pair chefs with family-owned Michigan farmers and boutique food artisans for an afternoon of sampling and sipping-in of the local bounty

Tasting Ticket $75*:
Chef and Restaurant Tastings, Farm Samples, Local Boutique Wine, Beer & Spirits Sampling, Cooking, Mixology & other Demonstrations (info and schedule TBD).

Tasting Ticket $150*:
Chef and Restaurant Tastings, Farm Samples, Local Boutique Wine, Beer & Spirits Sampling, Cooking, Mixology & other Demonstrations (info and schedule TBD).
PLUS: Private Hospitality Tent access, Check, Please! TV show auditions (VIPs only), Private Winery Tours (schedule TBD), Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks inside Hospitality Tent.

Plus everyone can enjoy Live Music on Round Barn’s “Jammin In The Vineyard” Stage 1-6 p.m. featuring Top Secret Band. At Round Barn, but outside the festival boundary (must present your wristband for re-entry into fest).

*Ticket Prices increase August 15 and at the door.

The Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival

Friday, Sept. 7 – Sunday, Sept. 9

The Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival offers something for everyone. Including a Grape Stomping Contest. That alone may be worth the price of admission!

Family Activities - Carnival rides, free children's activities in Stompyland, Fireworks on Maple Lake, Parade, and the Grape Stomp.

Music - 3 stages of entertainment for all musical tastes.

Sports - Choose from our hole in one contest, 5k walk/run, the Grape Escape Motorcycle Ride witht he Blue Knights of Southwest Michigan, our bicycle tour or now the new Grape Escape Golf Tournament.

Wine Enthusiasts - Winery tours and wine tasting tents abound throughout the festival area.

Other activities include: Car show, Arts & Crafts Show, Turtle Derby, and much more!!

New This Year: Grape Escape Golf Tournament, Ultimate Air Dog, and Animal Oasis see the Calendar of Events for more information.

For more information, and a complete schedule of events, please check out their website: http://www.wineandharvestfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=172

Upcoming Four Winds Casino Resort Concerts:

Smokey Robinson in Concert
August 31, 2012: The Four Winds Casino Resort's Silver Creek Event Center will host a concert by Smokey Robinson on Friday, August 31 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Tickets can be purchased beginning on Saturday, July 7 at 10 a.m. Eastern, exclusively through the Ticketmaster. Ticket prices start at $45.

Sheryl Crow in Concert
September 7, 2012: Sheryl Crow will perform in the new Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino Resort at 9 p.m. (Eastern). Tickets can be purchased beginning on Saturday, July 28 at 10 a.m. Eastern, exclusively through the Ticketmaster Web site, ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000. Ticket prices start at $65.

KC and the Sunshine Band in Concert
September 22, 2012: KC and the Sunshine Band will perform at the Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino on Saturday, September 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Tickets can be purchased beginning on Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m. Eastern, exclusively through the Ticketmaster Web site, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000. Ticket prices start at $29.