August 29 – September 5, 2012

Well, it’s almost here... school is starting next week! It is so exciting and my girls can’t wait to get back and see their teachers and friends.  However, even though summer is winding down, there is still plenty going on to help celebrate your last week.

 On Monday, this week, my family and I drove down to South Bend, to visit the Potawatomi Zoo. This Zoo is awesome.  It is small, but, that means, you can get up close and personal with the animals. We were able to see the entire zoo in an afternoon, and this included a trip into the Butterfly House.  We really liked the “Australian Walk-About” where we were so close to the Kangaroos and Wallabies that we could touch them.  We didn’t. The entrance fee is reasonable, and the Zoo is not that far. I especially liked that the Zoo was trying hard to let everyone know about the animals and where they come from and providing lots of information regarding the animals considered “endangered.” This was a great day, and definitely worth the visit.

“The Potawatomi Zoo has taken an active role in the preservation of some of the world’s most endangered species. The Zoo participates in Species Survival Plans coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums http://www.aza.org/. SSPs (click here to go to SSP page) carefully plan for the future of species living in the zoos. For an endangered species, a genetically sound population is critical to studying that species and increasing its numbers.” 

 Visit their website for more information: http://www.potawatomizoo.org/conservation.asp

 

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!  

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:

·         River Front Concert, South Haven, Thu. Aug. 30

·         Greek Festival – Fri. Aug. 31 – Sun. Sept. 2

·         Jollay Orchards Harvest Festival – Sat. Sept. 1 and Sun. Sept. 2

·         Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Powwow – Sat. Sept. 1 and Sun. Sept. 2

·         South Haven All Crafts Fair – Sat, Sept. 1 and Sun. Sept. 2

·         Auto Interests Track Weekend – Sat. Sept. 1 and Sun. Sept. 2

·         Antiques on the Bluff – Sun. Sept. 2

·         Tri-State Regatta and Craft Fair – Sat. Sept. 1 – Mon. Sept. 3

 

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:

·         Check Please! Sold Out…

·         Smokey Robinson, Fri. Aug. 31

 

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

 

Riverfront Concert Series featuring Blue Water Ramblers

Thursday, August 30, 7:00 pm
The Riverfront Concert Series is held Thursday evenings throughout the summer at Riverfront Park by the south side marina, South Haven, MI.
For more information regarding the Riverfront Concert Series, including donations, schedule, location, and type of music, please visit www.south-haven.com.

 

Greek Festival
Friday, August 31 – Sunday, September 2

American Hellenic Center, 17760 Behner Road, New Buffalor, 49117

Join us for a weekend of Greek flavors and activities at the Greek Festival! Authentic Greek food and pastries, folk dancing, church tours, the marketplace, and children's entertainment. Enjoy live music and a full bar. Admission is free! Friday 5-11pm, Saturday noon-11pm, Sunday noon-8pm.
Phone: 269-469-0081
Website: www.harborcountry.org/index.php?catid=11&month=8&year=2012&eventid=288

 

JOLLAY ORCHARDS 2012 HARVEST FESTIVAL

This event begins September 1, and will run every weekend, through October 28, 2012. 

1850 Friday Road in Coloma, MI.  Open Saturday's and Sunday's 10:30-6:30

Coloma, MI: Southwest Michigan's Premier Fall Event is BACK! The 2012 Harvest Festival at Jollay Orchards offers fun for the whole family. The all inclusive rate includes your favorite activities which will be in full swing starting Labor Day Weekend September 1, 2012- October 28, 2012, weekends only. Challenge your family to the (New this season) second Bigger Corn Maze, included in the daily admission. Run through the Haunted House, Relax on a Hayride, Enjoy the views from high above the Orchard on the Tree Top Ferris Wheel; visit the pumpkin patch spend a day and capture a memory.

The Farm Market offers a taste of the season with bagged apples (no u-pick apples this season), baked goods and our extensive line of jams and jellies.

Jollay Orchards will feature the opportunity to enjoy the ferris wheel, hay rides, the fishing pond, the petting zoo, and caterpillar crawl. Taste the fruit and baked items; explore the orchards at the farm, 1850 Friday Road in Coloma. Grandpa's Cider Mill, 2941 Friday Road will tempt you to enjoy the country charm of the old time cider mill; taste the 25 apple cider flavors; explore the Dinosaur Farm. The Jollay Market will tantalize you with LavAzza Coffee and an amazing array of fruits and veggies, you will be implored to enjoy a step back to the time of a Mom and Pop shop. Taste some of the hand-dipped Sherman's Ice Cream; and explore the onsite farmers market, enjoy a snack at the market, grab some apple cider. Watch for a great summer of fun activities!

 

Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Powwow
Saturday, September 1 – Sunday, September 2, 2012

Roger’s Lake, 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Located on tribal land of the Band of the Potawatomi Indians in neighboring Pokagon Township, more than 100 Native American dancers from throughout the Great Lakes will compete at Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Powwow. As they compete for cash prizes, the Potawatomi Indians celebrate the end of the huckleberry harvest. Families will enjoy the music of drum groups, as they visit a marketplace that showcases black ash baskets, traditional beadwork, sweet grass braids, jewelry, crafts and native foods.
For more information, please call: 269-782-8998 or visit the website: www.fourflagsarea.org/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=7386&month=08&year=2012

 

36^th Annual All Crafts Fair

Saturday, September 1, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday, September 2, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Stanley Johnston Park-Dyckman Avenue, South Haven, MI

South Haven's scenic Stanley Johnston Park hosts hundreds of exhibitors of fine arts & crafts this weekend! Interspersed are food booths with gourmet selections & other more casual fare. The event is hosted by the Greater South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce.

Auto Interests Track Weekend

Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Gingerman Raceway, 61414 County Road 388, South Haven, MI

For more information, please call Jason Kennedy: 330/806-5832

$5 admission, children free.

Track weekend open to all cars and drivers. The paddock will be parked with cars from every corner of the globe.

 

Antiques on the Bluff, St. Joseph

Sunday, September 2, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Antiques on the Bluff is held along tree lined Lake Bluff Park, overlooking Lake Michigan. This antique show is a premier event for St. Joseph and antiquers around Southwest Michigan

 

Tri-State Regatta and Craft Fair
Craft Fair: Saturday, September 1, 10:00 – 5:00 pm

Regatta, Friday through Sunday. You can view the race from Lake Bluff Park in St. Joseph, MI, or from the St. Joseph Yacht Club. 128 North Pier Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085

Every Labor Day weekend The St. Joseph River Yacht Club plays host to this annual event that includes well over 140 boats racing for bragging rights amongst numerous awards.

The Yacht Club, hosts the annual Party at their facility which is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC all day. This party includes a buffet breakfast from 7A-11A, Bloody Mary and Screwdriver bar from 7A - noon, Cheeseburger in Paradise lunch from 11A-4p, music from Steve Foresman, 5-8pm, Libido Funk Circus 8pm - midnight, a grilled steak and chicken dinner from 6-10p and drinks from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Admission is free and open to the public...food and beverage available for purchase.

Please call the Yacht Club for more info at 269-983-6393 or visit their website: http://www.sjryc.com/

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

Friday Night Concerts

Concerts each Friday night June 15th through August 31st. Admission: Free.
Friday, August 31, 2012, 7:30 pm

John E.N. Howard Bandshell

500 Port Street, ST. Joseph, MI 49085

6th Generation...Michigan Rock and Roll Legends, will be featured in the final concert of the season. 60's Music and originals for your enjoyment. Kids from 6 to 60 will enjoy this high energy music and fabulous harmonies.  

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

The Library will be closed Saturday, September 1 through Monday, September 3, and re-open, Tuesday, September 4.

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 

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.

The YMCA will be closed, Saturday, September 1 - Monday, September 3 for the Labor Day Holiday and Maintenance.

 

Curious Kids Museum

www.curiouskidsmuseum.org

415 Lake Blvd.

St. Joseph, MI 49085

269/983-CKID

 

Curious Kids – Discovery Zone

333 E. Broad Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Monday, September 3- Tuesday, September 18, Curious Kids' Museum will CLOSE for our annual shutdown and cleaning.

We will reopen on Wednesday, September 19 and resume our Fall/Winter/Spring hours of Wednesday-Saturday, 10-5 and Sunday, 12-5pm. Admission will be $5 per person 1 and older (11 mos. and younger is free) or $9 per person for the Joint Admission to also visit Discovery Zone the same day.

In addition to regular summer hours, Discovery Zone will be open Monday, September 3 from 10-5 (Labor Day). Discovery Zone will then close until Thursday, September 6, when we reopen with our Fall/Winter/Spring hours of Thursday, 4-8:30pm, (half-price night!), Friday and Saturday, 10-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Admission will then be $5 per person, 3 and older (2 and under is free) and Joint Admission will be $9 per person. Thursday nights are All the Fun for Half the Price...only $2.50 per person! 

 

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!):

 

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.

This event is sold out… hopefully you purchased your tickets early! If you did, have fun, and let me know how it was! 

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.

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

 The first movie is: “Journey 2, The Mysterious Island.”

 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

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:

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.