This
weekend there are all kinds of festivals going on, including the Brewers
Festival at Weko Beach and the Wine Festival and Public Art Auction in St.
Joseph. I listed these as both “For
Parents Only” below. We went to the Brewers
Fest last year, and it was great, although, cold and rainy! It’s supposed to be
a lovely weekend, so you might want to get out and check out what there is to
offer! I listed an Apple Festival below,
which will have carnival rides! The kids will LOVE It!
When
I am looking for events the family can enjoy together, I look for word clues,
like, “Family,” “Kids are free!” or “Great food!” Haha, that one is for me… J But, I came across “Alaska
String Band” which features music by a family (parents and three kids).
This sounds great, even though it’s a little late for a family night
out. If you’re ready to splurge on the
lateness with the kids, bring them along!
Otherwise, consider it a “For Parent’s Only” event. I would love to attend this one. This band sounds really fun.
If
you like the blog and the information, please check out the new Facebook page.
I’m posting pictures, as well as updating more events that are posted on
Facebook. Be sure to LIKE the new page and tell your friends!
As
you know, I am always looking for more family friendly events to add. Please
send any that you know about my way! If I missed anything, I can add it
immediately to the Facebook page, as well.
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:
·
Four Flags Apple Festival, Sept. 27 –
30
·
Alaska String Band – Sept. 29
·
Jollay Orchards Harvest Festival –
Sept. 29 – 30
·
Niles Haunted House and Scream Park,
Sept. 27 – 28
Weekly Activities:
·
Flick’s Family Film Fest
·
Sarett Nature Center
·
St. Joseph Farmer’s Market
·
Power In Motion
·
YMCA
·
Curious Kids Museums
·
Library Fun
For
Parents Only:
·
Weko Beach Brewers Festival, Sept.
29, 2012
·
St. Joseph Wine Festival and Public
Art Auction, Sept. 29, 2012
Upcoming
Events
·
New Buffalo Harvest Days – Oct. 5 –
8
Four Flags Apple
Festival
Thursday, September 27 – Sunday, September 30.
We are a four day festival based in Niles, Michigan. The festival is one of the top festivals in the State of Michigan. Four Flags Area Apple Festival is on the corner of Lake and 17th Street. There will be: Carnival rides, Food Vendors, Arts and Crafts, Parades, Fireworks, Free Musical Entertainment and much more!
For more information, as well as a schedule of events and a list of musical entertainment, please check out the website: http://www.fourflagsapplefestival.org/about.html
Jollay Orchards 2012 Harvest
Festival
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. Open Saturday's and Sunday's 10:30-6:30
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.
ALASKA STRING BAND
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 7:30 pm
Foundry
Hall, 422 Eagle Street, South Haven, MI 49090
The
Alaska String Band is comprised of members of a single family performing with
guitar, twin fiddles, bass, mandolin, ukulele, percussion and vocals. Their
repertoire consists of a lively collection of bluegrass, old time, gospel,
swing, dawg, blues, Celtic and original music. Also featured are beautiful
waltzes, airs and haunting melodies graced with vocal blends heard only in
single family arrangements. Much of the band's material dates from the pioneer
days of the Alaskan Gold Rush.
Admission:
$10 / $8 members. Doors open at 7 pm. General admission seating - arrive early
to reserve your spot. $8-$10. Get tickets at www.foundryhall.com,
800.838.3006, in person at StudioHaus or at the door before the show. Suggested
donation after 7:30 pm.
For more information, please call: 269-206-3059, or visit the website: www.foundryhall.com/index.php/calendar/foundry-hall/89-foundry-hall/730-120929
For more information, please call: 269-206-3059, or visit the website: www.foundryhall.com/index.php/calendar/foundry-hall/89-foundry-hall/730-120929
Niles Haunted House and Scream Park
Opening this weekend, Friday and
Saturday, September 21 and 22. The Haunted House and Scream Park will be open
on the weekends and then Halloween week.
Haunted houses are not my thing
(because I’m a big ol’ scardy cat!), but, I realize lots of people love
them. And, perhaps some of you have some
older kids? Check out this haunted location and get ready to SCREAM!
44 acres
of haunting fun! There are three
interior haunted houses, the Field of Screams and the Dark Terror-tory Haunted
Hayride. All shows changed every year! Don't miss Zendor's show, the Midway of
the Macabre and the howling fun food concessions.
Free entry to the midway and free parking!
For more details, including dates and pricing, go to www.haunted.org.
Free entry to the midway and free parking!
For more details, including dates and pricing, go to www.haunted.org.
Weekly Events:
Flick’s Family Film Fest
Starting
Friday, September 28, 2012
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.
This
week’s movie is: “The Pirates! Band of Misfits.” PG
“Every year, the Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh
Grant) enters the prestigious Pirate of the Year contest and loses because
his crew prefers to lie low and enjoy the simpler pleasure of "Ham
Night" rather than engage in the bloody but profitable work of hardcore
pirateering. When the contest's other contenders for 1837's title -- Cutlass
Liz (Salma
Hayek), Black Bellamy (Jeremy
Piven), and Peg Leg Hastings (Lenny Henry) -- poke fun at the Pirate
Captain, he decides to embark on an aggressive campaign to take over other
ships. But the plan is a failure ... until the captain storms the ship of
Charles Darwin (David
Tennant) and is told that his pet parrot is actually the
thought-to-be-extinct Dodo bird. Darwin convinces the Pirate Captain and his
crew to make landfall in London so the Dodo can win "untold riches"
at an annual science conference. But what it really does is bring the pirates
to the attention of the pirate-hating Queen Victoria (Imelda
Staunton), who has her own surprisingly nefarious reasons to want to keep
the Dodo.”
For a review of the movie, a section called, “What
Parents Need to Know”, as well as real parent reviews, please visit the Common
Sense Media webpage: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-pirates-band-of-misfits
Next week’s movie is: “Chimpanzee” G.
Sarett Nature Center
2300 Benton Center Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(1st
Exit off of 196)
Phone:
269-927-4832
Website: www.sarett.com/summer.htm
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.
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."
Lincoln Township Public Library
2099 W. John Beers Road
Stevensville,
MI
269/429-9575
Story Times:
Bedtime
Story Time: Mondays, 7:00 am – 7:30 pm
Walk-in
Story Time: Thursdays, 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Fun
Fridays Story Time: Fridays, 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale
September 28th - 29th
September 28th - 29th
The Friends of the Library will host a used book sale on
Friday, September 28th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
A $5.00 bag sale will be held on Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 am - noon.
Friends of the library may preview the book sale Thursday, September 27th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
A $5.00 bag sale will be held on Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 am - noon.
Friends of the library may preview the book sale Thursday, September 27th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
Tuesday, October 2, 10:00 am
Workshop presented by Bobbie Twa,
certified career consultant. Participants are welcome to attend one or both
sessions. Registration starts September 3rd.
10:00
am Job Seeker Secrets
12:00 pm Lunch
12:30 pm Resume Writing
12:00 pm Lunch
12:30 pm Resume Writing
Saturday, October 6
Events for all ages! Photo Opportunities (bring your camera), Trivia, Crafts, Movie showing at 2:00 pm, Door Prizes!
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.
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 36th place? Let’s keep the
nominations coming!
Maude
Preston Palenske Memorial Library
500
Market Street
St.
Joseph, MI 49085
269/983-7167
Fall 2012 Story Times
Beginning September 18th & 19th, 10:30
am
Join
us for fall 2012 story times for toddlers and preschoolers. This season we
focus on all things pirate!
Questions? Call the Children's Department @ 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.
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
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, ages 11
and older
Saturday 12:00 –
1:30 pm – ages 10 and younger. 4 and
younger must be accompanied by an adult.
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
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 (Family float! Bring inflatable floating toys to play with!)
Saturday,
4:00 to 5:45 pm
Sunday,
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Family float! Bring inflatable floating toys to play with!)
Free
for YMCA members, $14 for families
Your night out while the kids are at the
Y!
Fun Friday! Ages 4 – 12
October
5
November
2
November
30
December
21
“Come
to the YMCA and get excited for the start of the weekend! Children can enjoy
games, swimming, snacks and more fun activities at the Y! Sign up early to reserve your spot. Minimum of 6 children required to run the
event.”
$15/YMCA
Members
$20/Community
Kids Night Out – Ages 4 – 12
5:30
pm – 10:00 pm
October
13
November
10
December
8
“Have
a Saturday Night Out while the kids have a great time at the YMCA. We offer crafts, climbing wall, Sportwall,
gym time, snack, swimming and an age appropriate movie. Children should bring a swimsuit and towel
for the pool. A $5.00 late fee will be
charged per child for registration after Friday at 5:00 pm. Minimum of 10 children required for this
event.”
$22/YMCA
Members
$32/Community
Only
$10 for each additional child from the same family!
Family Movie Nights
6:30
– 8:30 pm
October
19
November
16
December
14
“Bringing
families together for a fun family movie is what movie night is all about! Popcorn provided. Bring your pillows and blankets and join us
for this fun event! Family swim is 4:00 –
5:45 pm.”
YMCA
Members: $2/person
Community:
$4/person.
Registration
is required.
Curious Kids Museum
415 Lake Blvd.
St. Joseph, MI
49085
269/983-CKID
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.
Wee
Discover events every Wednesday, at 10:30 am for preschoolers. Free with admission: Wednesday, October 3, Apple Pie Tree Apples, dough, cinnamon
and sugar, it’s an easy apple pie.
Saturday, September
29, from Noon to 4:00 pm, “Animals Alive!” Everyone loves animals. Join us for a live animal program with “Wild
Track/Tom Moore” featuring many different kinds of species of reptiles and
amphibians.”
Curious Kids – Discovery Zone
333 E.
Broad Street
St.
Joseph, MI 49085
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! Saturday, September 22, “GULP!” “No, it isn’t science fiction. Some plants actually eat bugs! Join us as we explore the Venus Flytrap.
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!):
Weko
Beach Brewers Festival
Saturday,
September 29, 2012 - 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Weko Beach,
5239 Lake Street, Bridgman, MI 49106
TOAST THE
COAST! It’s no secret that Michigan is home to great breweries and picturesque
beaches. Combining the best of both, the Bridgman Area Economic Growth Alliance
invites you to a relaxing fall day on a pristine beach to savor award-winning
Michigan beers that are as spectacular as the sunsets. Live music will enhance
the scene as you raise your beer mug and ‘toast the coast’ on Saturday,
September 29, under a “Big-Top Tent” overlooking beautiful Weko Beach. The Weko
Beach Brewers Festival is a showcase event to sample (tastes or by the mug) the
wonderful locally-produced craft beers from Michigan. Wrap this into a day
filled with sun and sand, tasty cuisine from local restaurants, live music, end
it all with a dazzling sunset and you have one fantastic fall festival!
Admission is $25 at the door for a mug and 12 tasting tickets.
For more information, please call: 269-925-6301 or visit the website: www.wekobeachbrewersfest.com
Admission is $25 at the door for a mug and 12 tasting tickets.
For more information, please call: 269-925-6301 or visit the website: www.wekobeachbrewersfest.com
St. Joseph Wine Festival and Public Art
Auction
Saturday, September 29, 2012
5 p.m.-10 p.m. Centennial Field adjacent to the Whirlpool Compass Fountain.
Enjoy an evening of tasting Michigan wines, sampling local cuisine and bidding on your favorite public art...Beached Pirates! Participating wineries include:
- Good Harbor Vineyards
- Lawton Ridge Winery
- Fenn Valley Vineyards
- Tabor Hill
- Lemon Creek
- Domaine Berrien
- Contessa
- Chateau Grand Traverse
- St. Julian
- Leelanau Wine Cellars
- Wyncroft Winery
- Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery
- The Round Barn & Free Run Cellars
The auction will begin at 7:00 p.m. with auctioneer Jerry Glassman of Glassman's Auction & Real Estate, Eau Claire, MI. Music for the evening will be provided by JazzminII, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Shawn Bell Quintet from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Tickets are now available at St. Joseph Today located at 421 State Street, St. Joseph, MI.
Admission is $10 and includes 4 wine samples.
Some
Upcoming Events:
New Buffalo Harvest Days
Friday, October 5 – Monday, October 8
Harvest and Wine Fest – Saturday,
October 6
Harvest Days is a celebration of the
bountiful fall season in Harbor Country! Enjoy the long Columbus Day weekend
when many of our shops, galleries, restaurants and lodging facilities host Open
Houses, gallery and artist receptions, culinary demonstrations and tastings,
special sales and family fun activities.
Delight in the glorious fall colors
as you walk, bike, drive throughout our Harbor Country communities: Michiana,
Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer.
