October 10 – October , 2012

This week has been tough, because the girls are sick.  But, we’re getting through, thanks to great medication prescribed by the doctor.  Hopefully we’ll be able to get out this weekend and enjoy the beautiful changing scenery Michigan’s Great Southwest has to offer.  They were really hoping to get out and do some apple picking this year, but, unfortunately, that looks to be over for the season. Too bad.  We’ll get out and pick too many apples NEXT year! 

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:

·         Fennville Goose Festival – Oct. 13 – 14

·         Dowagiac Under the Harvest Moon Festival – Oct. 13

·         Ride for the Cure – Sat. Oct. 13

·         Fall Fun Fest – Oct. 13

·         New Buffalo Harvest and Wine Fest – Oct. 13 – 14

·         “A Village Patchwork” Oct. 13 – 14

·         Twin City Players 17^th Annual Halloween Costume Sale – Oct. 13

·         Jollay Orchards Fall Festival

·         Niles Haunted House and Scream Park

 

Weekly Activities:

·         Flick’s Family Film Fest

·         Sarett Nature Center

·         Power In Motion

·         YMCA

·         Curious Kids Museums

·         Library Fun

 

For Parents Only:

·         Little Black Dress – Oct. 11

·         13^th Annual Bacchus Festival – Oct. 12

 

Some Upcoming Events

·         Little Black Dress – Oct. 11

·         13^th Annual Bacchus Festival – Oct. 12

 

28th Annual Fennville Goose Festival
October 13-14, 2012

The 28th Annual Goose Festival officially runs October 13th and 14th, with the carnival setting up at the school complex Friday night. Kicking the festival off is the Wild Goose Chase 5k, and continues with several activities including the Gosling Run for kids, the Goose Festival Parade, a classic car show, student art shows, historical exhibits, goose calling competitions, an arts and crafts show, a petting zoo, performances to be announced at a later date, and lots more!

http://www.greaterfennville.com/relax/goose_festival.htm

 

Dowagiac Under the Harvest Moon
Saturday, October 13, 10:00 – 4:00 pm

Front Street, Downtown Dowagiac, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Celebrate Michigan's crisp autumn season in downtown Dowagiac at Under the Harvest Moon, Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fun and family-oriented festival showcases vendors of antiques, handmade goods, fall produce and sweet delicacies. View our display of vintage farm tractors and vote for your favorite scarecrow. There's also street entertainment, the King of Jack O' Lanterns, pumpkin and pie baking contests, the extreme pumpkin carving competition and Caruso's caramel apple and cider bar.
For more information, please call: 269-782-8212, or visit the website: www.swmichigan.org/events-october-2012.html

 Ride For The Cure
Saturday, October 13, 10:00 – 5:00 pm

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

Come and ride the carousel on October 13 during Paint Our Town Pink in southwest Michigan. A portion of this days proceeds will go to the Lakeland Healthcare’s Marie Yeager Cancer Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southwest Michigan. So join in the fun by riding the carousel, purchasing pink cotton candy and more! To see how you can help, donate or participate contact swmichpink@gmail.com. Stay posted on all pink events at www.facebook.com/paintourtownpink.
For more information, please call: 269-982-8500, or visit the website: www.silverbeachcarousel.com/events-a-news/10-events/135-ride-for-the-cure.html

 Fall Funfest Day
Saturday, October 13, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Coghlin Park, Culver Street, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Pumpkin Carving, Pumpkin Launch, Pie Eating, Food Vendors, Band, Tug of War, Family Fun! For further information, call 269-857-1626 or info@saugatuckdouglas.com Sponsored by the Saugatuck/Douglas Area Business Association.
For more information, please call: 269-857-1626 or visit the website: www.saugatuckdouglas.com/showEvents.php

 New Buffalo Harvest and Wine Fest
Saturday, October 13, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Lions Park, Marquette Rd., New Buffalo, MI 49117

New Buffalo Business Association hosts the premier wine event of the autumn season. Enjoy wine tasting from several local vineyards all under one roof! Live music all day, free kids art activities, horse drawn hayrides through town, a pumpkin patch, bounce house and more! Great food and very unique handmade crafts along with a farmers market make this one day fest the best around. For event details, please visit www.newbuffalo.org.
For more information, please call: 888-660-6222, or visit the website: www.newbuffalo.org/events/2011-harvest-wine-fest-in-new-buffalo.html

 "A Village Patchwork" Exhibit at the History Museum

Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14, Noon to 4:00 pm.

Saugatuck Douglas History Museum, 735 Park Street, Saugatuck, MI 49453
The Exhibit, "A Village Patchwork: Everyday Life In Saugatuck & Douglas" is open on weekend noon to 4pm September and October.
For more information, please call: 269-857-7900, or visit the website: www.saugatuckdouglas.com/showEvents.php

The Twin City Players To Host 17th Annual Halloween Costume Sale
Saturday, October 13 (9 AM-4 PM) Tuesday-Thursday, October 16-18 (6 PM-8 PM) Saturday, October 20 (9 AM-4 PM) Tuesday-Thursday, October 23-25 (6 PM-8 PM) Saturday, October 27 (9 AM-4 PM) To learn more, call 269-429-0400 or visit twincityplayers.org.
Twin City Players, 600 West Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085

The Twin City Players will host its 17th Annual Halloween Costume Sale next month. The sale will feature pre-assembled Halloween outfits for infants, children, teens and adults. Complete outfits are available at reasonable prices. The Halloween Costume Sale will be held at the TCP Studio, located behind the main playhouse at 600 West Glenlord Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085. The costume sale will be open:.
For more information, please call: 269-429-0400, or visit the website: twincityplayers.org

 

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.

 

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.

 

Terror In The Park Haunted House
Saturdays in October, 9:00 pm

South Haven Family Campground

03403 64^th Street, South Haven, MI 49090

Terror In The Park is a walk-through dark attraction filled with terrifying live actors, special effects, and incredible monsters. Terror In The Park is an original and unique campground Haunted House attraction that has been scaring their campground patrons for 5 years. Be ready for the fright of your life with what’s lurking in the shadows or what might be hiding in the next room and waiting - only you can find out. Every step has been taken to bring out the best experience possible. See what everyone was screaming about and why some have never made it out. 2012 will be the first year debut to the public, offering Saturday only haunting. The fear and fright will start at 9pm and will continue until there is no longer a live body in line.

 

Weekly Events:

Flick’s Family Film Fest

Starting Friday, October 12, 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.

https://celebrationcinema.com/flicksfamilyfilmfest

This week’s movie is: “Madagascar 3, Europe’s Most Wanted.” PG

“As MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED opens, the four missing Central Park Zoo stars -- Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett-Smith), and Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) -- are still stranded in Africa and homesick for the Big Apple. After the clever penguins build a plane and head off for Monte Carlo, the quartet summons the energy to swim to Monaco. But before they can grab the penguins, the friends wreak havoc on a casino and are pursued by determined animal-control cop Captain DuBois (Frances McDormand), who will stop at nothing to hunt and kill her one remaining animal trophy -- the lion. The only escape for Alex and his pals is to pretend to be circus performers and join a traveling circus led by grouchy Russian tiger Vitaly (Bryan Cranston) and sweet jaguar Gia (Jessica Chastain).”

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/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted

Next week’s movie is: “Despicable Me” PG.

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

SARETT’S ANNUAL COUNTRY FAIR
Saturday, October 13, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Join us for an afternoon of fun activities for the kids, pony rides, wagon rides, Grandma’s Country Kitchen, fresh garden produce sale, collectibles sale and a huge rummage sale will all be part of this event. Remember, Grandma’s Country Kitchen serves brats, sloppy joes, and hot dogs for lunch. There are always plenty of homemade desserts! Members and friends, please make donations of jams, jellies, preserves and garden produce. We are also asking for clean saleable rummage. Rummage items can be dropped off any time at Sarett starting September 11. Also, don’t forget to donate homemade baked goods for the ever popular Country Kitchen. All proceeds benefit Sarett’s environmental education programs. Call Dianne or Kathy at 269-927-4832 with questions.

Lincoln Township Public Library

www.lincolntownshiplibrary.org

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

 

School Age Story and Craft Time

Begins, Wednesday, October 10th at 4:15 pm, and runs through Wed. November 14.

Ages 5 and up. Stories and crafts geared to young elementary school students. 

YuGiOh! Open Play

Bring your cards and challenge other teens to a duel. Trade cards to improve your deck.
Grades 5-12.  No registration required.

Halloween Party

Saturday, October 27, 2:00 pm

Stories and skits in the Lawrence Room followed by trick-or-treating around the library.

Help us decorate for Halloween September 24th - October 20th. Ask for an entry form at the children's desk. Three lucky winners will have a hauntingly good book added to our collection in their honor. Winners will be announced at the Halloween Party.

 

Ghost Hunters

Tuesday, October 30, 7:00 pm

Members of Michigan Parahaunt will talk about their most interesting cases and demonstrate their ghost hunting equipment.

 

Teen Halloween Party

Wednesday, October 31, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Frightfully fun!  Wear a costume, play some games, eat some food, and take home some candy. Registration is required and begins October 8th. Grades 5-12.

Maude Preston Palenske Memorial Library

500 Market Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

269/983-7167

Fall 2012 Story Times

Beginning September 18th & 19^th, 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

 

Friends of the Library Book Sale

October 19 – 20, 2012

 

Kids Saturday Movies:
4th Saturday of Each Month @ 2:00pm

Saturday, October 27 – “Scooby Doo and the Goblin King” NR

“Zombies haunt and witches cackle as the Mystery Machine gang explores a Halloween carnival's chills and thrills in SCOOBY-DOO AND THE GOBLIN KING. But Scooby-Doo and Shaggy (voiced by Casey Kasem) doubt all the monsters and magic. That is, until a dreadfully washed-up magician, the Amazing Krudsky (Wayne Knight), kidnaps Princess Fairy Willow (Hayden Panettiere) and stumbles upon the ancient powers of Halloween. Courageously hoping to save their friends, Scooby and Shaggy em-"bark" on the perilous journey to Halloween Land, encountering enough magical mishaps to make them believe in the stories of Halloween night.”

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/scooby-doo-and-goblin-king

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, 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

www.bhsjymca.org

 

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

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

Saturday, 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

www.curiouskidsmuseum.org

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 17, Popcorn, Things to do with popcorn, besides eating it!

 

Saturday, October 13, from Noon to 4:00 pm, “Drinking Glass Band” Want to make some music?  All you need are some drinking glasses and a little water. Then you’ll be ready to rock and roll!

 

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, October 6, “An Apple A Day”  How did apples get all over the world.  How long does a standard apple tree live?  Find out these answers and more!

Family Fun Night  at the Silver Beach Carousel

333 E. Broad Street – Weekly, Thursdays

4:00 pm – 8:30 pm

October 4, 2012 – Oktoberfest!  Enjoy pretzels and root beer and a ride on the carousel!

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!):

 

Little Black Dress 2012

Thursday, October 11, 6pm - 9pm
Shadowland at Silver Beach
$25 per person or $35 for two
one glass of wine/drink with purchase

**Tickets now available at Silver Beach Center Admission Desk**

·         food

·         entertainment

·         guest speaker

·         door prize

·         silent auction

·         wine bottle pull

 

13th Annual Bacchus Festival
Friday, October 12, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Marina Grand Resort, 600 W. Water Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117

Union Pier’s Wine Sellers, Inc. will hold the Thirteenth Annual Autumn Bacchus Festival, Friday, October 12, 2012, 7:30 until 10:00pm. (Eastern Time) Guests will have the opportunity to sample more than 80 wines from all over the globe at this walk-around tasting, to be held at the Marina Grand Resort, 600 West Water Street, New Buffalo, MI. Wine industry professionals will be on hand to facilitate and answer questions that arise. Chef Jenny Drilon of the resort’s Bentwood Tavern has designed a specifically paired light tasting menu of seasonal foods for the evening. All wines poured will be offered at a significant discount that evening only. Reservations are highly recommended, as space is limited. The fee is $50 per person.

Call 888-824-WINE for reservations and information.
Website: www.thewinesellersmichigan.com/events.asp

 

WAIT UNTIL DARK by Frederick Knott
Directed by John Rybarczyk
Twin City Players presents Wait Until Dark

In Frederick Knott's intense thriller, a trio of men terrorizes a recently blind woman as they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment. When their attempts fail, they are driven to more extreme measures to acquire the doll.

Presented in cooperation with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Sponsored by The Herald-Palladum.

Tickets: 269-429-0400 or online at twincityplayers.org
Adults $12, Students and Seniors $11, Group rates available.

Performance Times:

Friday and Saturday shows at 8 PM and Sunday Matinees at 4 PM

Performance Dates:

October, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28

All shows are performed at the Twin City Players Playhouse, 600 West Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

 

Some Upcoming Events:

 

Crop Stitch & Shop
Saturday, October 20, 2012

Michigan Lutheran High School, 615 Marquette Woods, St. Joseph, MI 49085

Not just your Average Scrapbooking & Quilting Event! All Crafters Welcome. Saturday October 20th 2012 9am-Midnight $49 / person or 2 for $80 (must register at same time)
Reservation includes 1- 6 foot Table, Electric, lite breakfast, 2 meals, snacks & beverages Vendors Make & Takes Prizes Public Shopping 1pm-4pm Call Sue to register today! 269-556-0926

“Our Bountiful Harvest” Quilt Show

October 12, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm   

October 13, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Vineland Center, 1155 Vineland Road, St. Joseph Charter Township, MI 49085
Admission, $6‎

With over 200 fabulous quilts on display and unique shopping opportunities, this quilt show draws hundreds of people to Southwest Michigan biannually. Two raffles will be held. One for quilts and another is a special "American Girl Doll" raffle. Hand-made clothes for American Girl Dolls will be for sale. Quilting demonstrations, and a Quilts of Valor display round out some of the highlights. Come and see some of the finest quilts in the Midwest.

For more information, please call: (269) 408-1132.