August 22 – August 29, 2012

Last week, my family and I headed to Traverse City. Yes, that is definitely out of the SW Michigan range, but, we had never been, and thought it would be a fun few days of exploration. We had such a nice time. The best parts for us were actually outside of Traverse City, as we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes where we discovered the fascinating art of rock collecting.  We repeated that fun activity on the Leelanau Peninsula, where we energetically looked for Petoskey Stones.  In the end, we purchased one from a souvenir shop. It looks very pretty on our mantle.

You may remember, I started a Facebook page: Family Fun in Southwest Michigan, and so far, so good!  Please be sure to tell your friends to LIKE the new page! I’m going to add some new pictures this week. 

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:

·         “Singin’ In the Rain” at Celebration! Cinema – Wed. Aug. 22

·         Kalamazoo Scottish Festival – Sat. Aug. 25

·         Art Jam – Sat. Aug. 25

·         Shady Grove Fiddle Fest – Sat. Aug. 25

·         Sandbox Class – Sun. Aug. 26

·         Music in the Park – Sun. Aug. 26

·         Taste of Saugatuck – Sun. Aug. 26

·         Sideways Stories from Wayside School – Wed. Aug. 22 – Sun. Aug. 26

 

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:

·         “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” – Fri. Aug. 24 – Sun. Aug. 26

 

Upcoming Events

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

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

·         Michigan Irish Festival – Sept. 14 – 16

·         5^th Annual Kilometers for Cam – Sept. 15

·         Four Winds Casino Resorts Concerts

 

 

Singin’ in the Rain” – Celebration! Cinema

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

NCM Fathom, Turner Classic Movies, and Warner Bros are partnering to present the Singin’ in the Rain 60th Anniversary event to theatres nationwide. In addition to the feature, in-theatre audiences will be treated to 15 minutes with TCM host Robert Osborne, who will take you behind the scenes including a special interview with Singin’ in the Rain star Debbie Reynolds. Debbie will share her thoughts on what it was like working with Gene Kelly and Donald O’Conner on set of this classic film. Check out the website for times and locations:

 

https://celebrationcinema.com/movie/TCM+Presents+Singin+In+The+Rain+60th+Anniversary/8-22-2012

 

Kalamazoo Scottish Festival

Saturday, August 25, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Celebrate the Scottish Heritage at the festival in Kalamazoo! There will be Scottish music, dancing, food and the Calling of the Clans. Expect some amazing demonstrations, including Highland Athletics!

Admission:

$11 – Adults

$6 – Children 6 – 15, and US Military Veterans or Active Duty Military Personnel

Children 5 and under FREE!

Location:

Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds

2900 Lake Street

Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Check out their website for more details and times:

http://www.kalamazooscottishfestival.org/index.html

 

ART JAM

Saturday, August 25, 10am - 6pm

Join us in downtown Fennville, for another great day of ART! Art Jam is a free, all ages, event! Please leave your pets at home! Come and enjoy a day of art in downtown Fennville...all within walking distance of the bars and restaurants! Art Jam will go on rain or shine as we will have a large entertainment tent to keep our performers and crowd comfortable! Art/Craft demos and sales featuring a variety of mediums by local artists. Dance performances, live music, interactive art project.  For more information, please visit their website: http://fennvilleartsmovement.com/upcoming_events/art_jam

 

Shady Grove Fiddle Fest

Saturday, August 25, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Celebrating Live Music and Local Food.

Shady Grove at the Common, Buchanan Commons, Downtown Buchanan, MI

http://www.shadygrovefiddlefest.org/

Last Saturdays on the Common

Please join us as we celebrate the final installment of 'Last Saturday on the Common" in Beautiful Downtown Buchanan. Chicago's The Giving Tree Band (http://www.thegivingtreeband.com/Pages/Home) will be a show that you won't soon forget.  They will headline the Shady Grove Fiddle Fest, starting around 9:00 pm.
For more details, please see the website:  http://buchanancommon.wordpress.com/

Sandbox Class - Family Class

Sunday, August 26, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Townline and Greenwood, Union Pier, MI 49129

Learn from a professional sand sculptor the basics of carving sand. Build a tower complete with windows, doors, and stairs.

$30 per student.
For more information, please call: 269-405-5772, or visit the website: www.harborcountry.org/index.php?catid=11&month=8&year=2012&eventid=850

To see some photos of the work of the Sand Pirate, visit her website:

http://www.sandpirate.net/Recent_Work.html

 

Music in the Park, Baroda Village Park

Sunday, August 26, 4:00 pm

The park has two entrances at 8938 Fourth Street and 1500 Lemon Creek Rd. Admission: Free
Final concert of the summer at the Baroda Village Park. This month's concert features Sarah and Steve Dowell. Sarah and Steve perform a wide variety of songs and spiritual songs of faith. Audiences adore her virtuoso fiddling and her beautiful "Celtic women" style of singing. Steve is a talented and versatile guitarist and provides excellent harmony vocals. Together they are a powerfully engaging and dynamic duo. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase concessions at the park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit and relax by the quiet waters of Hickory Creek as you listen to the music. For more information, please call: 269-422-1779, or visit the website: www.barodavillage.org/music_in_the_park.htm

 

TASTE OF SAUGATUCK, 25th ANNUAL

Sunday, August 26, Noon to 7:00 pm, a street festival of fine foods sponsored by the Saugatuck-Douglas Visitors Bureau and area restaurants. The Taste of Saugatuck food festival has been held on the last Sunday in August for the past two decades in downtown Saugatuck at Wicks Park on Water Street from noon to 7:00 PM. This family friendly event brings together local culinary artisans and area restaurants who prepare samples of favorite items from their menus. Visitors have the opportunity to taste a variety of offerings ranging from margarita chicken, grilled salmon and saganaki to more traditional items including smoked barbecued ribs, roasted corn and kid friendly pizza. Of course there are always an array of homemade desserts and pies
from local orchards and dollops of ice cream to top off the day. Live music, children's activities, sailboats, sunshine and happy faces make this harbor front event one of the most popular festivals in West Michigan. For information call (269) 857-1701 or visit the website: http://www.saugatuck.com/TASTE_SAUG/index.htm

 

Kids4Kids "Sideways Stories from Wayside School"
Performances take place in the Warner Studio Theatre August 17-26.

Performance times are 7:00 PM Tuesday-Saturday with 3:00 matinee performances Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $10 or a pack of four for $32.

For more information call 574-234-1112 or go online at www.sbct.org.

South Bend Civic Theatre takes you back to school with the Kids4Kids production of Sideways Stories from Wayside School August 17-26 in the Warner Studio Theatre. Adapted for the stage by John Olive from the popular book series, Newberry award winner Louis Sachar invites you into Wayside School – the craziest school with the strangest teachers ever! Students try and survive each day under threat of being turned into apples or disappearing on the nonexistent 19th floor. Zany and fun, this play takes all of our school anxieties and brings them to colorful, crazy life!

 

 

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

An Evening at the Dunes
August 22, 2012, 6:00 – 9:30 pm

Visit our local dune system. Learn how they are formed, the animals that live there & how fast you can run up a dune. Ages 8 & up. Fee $12, members $10. Sponsored by reserve the Dunes. 

Advanced Muckin' In the Marsh
Friday, August 24, 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Be prepared to go deep into the wild wetlands of Sarrett. You must wear long pants & old tie shoes. For ages 9 & up. Fee $8, members $6. 

Nature Photography Class with David Knight
Saturday, August 25, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Kids 8 to 12 years old, join photographer David Knight and improve your photography skills by learning the tricks of taking nature photos with your own digital camera. Any digital camera will work including phones. David will show us how to see a good photo before it’s taken. $30/person. Please call to register at 269-927-4832. An adult class will be offered on September 8.

Friday Night Concerts

Concerts each Friday night June 15th through August 31st. Admission: Free.
Friday, August 24, 2012

John E.N. Howard Bandshell

500 Port Street, ST. Joseph, MI 49085

Acoustic Justice will be performing! Check out their website for information: http://lastcallrockband.com/acousticjustice/

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.  

Teen Iron Chef
Wednesday, August 29th at 1:00 pm

Battle: Sandwich
Create a sandwich with the secret ingredient in this exciting competition. Registration begins August 13th. Grades 6-12.

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 36^th 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

Music in the Garden:
Adrienne Frailey

Thursday, August 23^rd, 7:00pm

Join us for our annual music series in the library garden. Each month we will feature a different local musical group. Come and listen to them—FREE. We’ll have some chairs, but feel free to bring a blanket and a picnic if you like.

Adrienne Frailey is a young singer/songwriter from Indiana. She is known for her incredible voice and moving songs. “Soulful, emotional—a warm and lovely voice; captivating songs of rare beauty.” 

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!  Also, there are plenty of “family” activities, and a few Kids Nights scheduled.  I’ll post about those as they get a little closer.

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 25, 12 – 4 pm, free with admission

“Animals Alive”

 

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 25, 12 – 4 pm, free with admission

“To Be or Not to Be” 

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!):

 “BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO”

Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26, 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday, 2pm on Sunday. At the Red Barn Theater, 3657 63rd Street at Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. For more information (269) 857-5300.

Set at a Catskills resort in 1960, this musical comedy tells the story of two friends from Brooklyn in search of good times and romance over one significant Labor Day weekend. The score showcases 18 Neil Sedaka classics.

Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.  

Some Upcoming Events: 

Flick’s Family Film Fest

Starting Friday, September 7

Kids under 12 are free and adults are only $4.00.  See some family friendly movies with your children.  Check out the website for movie list, dates and times.

https://celebrationcinema.com/flicksfamilyfilmfest

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

 

5^th Annual Kilometers for Cam

Saturday, September 15, 8:30 am

Starting at the Silver Beach Carousel, 333 Broad Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085

Family friendly fun for participants and spectators include: free carousel rides, face painting, games, food, music, silent auction and more!

Proceeds will benefit the Pregeria Research Foundation.

There are three events:

10K Run - $25/Adults, $15/Kids

5K Run/Walk - $20/Adults, $10/Kids

3K Fun Run/Walk - $20/Adults, $10/Kids

For more information, or to register, please visit the website: www.IAmCam.org.

Michigan Irish Fest

Friday, September 14 – Sunday, September 16

This Midwest Irish Music Festival promotes Irish culture and heritage while enhancing the community through entertainment, tourism, education and philanthropy.  MIMF is proud to embark on our 13^th annual festival.  Our festival is also proud to support Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry with gifts of non-perishable food items and also annual donations.  In 2011, the festival supplied over 800 pounds of food for the pantry and provided a cash donation of $10,000 which was added to a donation of $5,000 from the annual St. Patrick’s Party held in March.  Join us for a great mix of Celtic and Irish music including traditional, contemporary, folk and Celtic Rock on 3 stages.  If you are a fan of great music and talented musicians, you will love this festival.  Several bands, direct from Ireland, will be a part of the line-up along with a great group of local, regional and national Celtic acts.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit the website: http://www.michiganirish.org/

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.