October 24 – October 31, 2012

Well, there is sickness in my house! Happy Fall and Back to School! I apologize for a lack of blog last week, but, I just couldn’t get up the energy to do it.  I was about half way through it, and then gave up.  But, I’m back this week.  Still sick, but, have a doctor’s appointment coming up, so hopefully, I’ll be back to 100% soon.  My girls have also been sick, and are definitely looking forward to getting out and about this coming weekend.  There is a lot of Halloween activities this weekend, so, you have the opportunity to dress up more than once!  

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:

·         Spooky Trails at New Buffalo Township Park – Oct. 25 – Oct. 27

·         The Great Halloween Spectacle – Fr. Oct. 26

·         Niles Library Costume Contest – Sat. Oct. 27

·         Halloween at Fernwood – Sat. Oct. 27

·         New Buffalo Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat – Sun. Oct. 28

·         Niles Haunted House and Scream Park

·         Terror in the Park

 

Weekly Activities:

·         Flick’s Family Film Fest

·         Sarett Nature Center

·         Power In Motion

·         YMCA

·         Curious Kids Museums

·         Library Fun

 

For Parents Only:

·         Nightmares on Broadstreet – Fri. Oct. 26

·         WAIT UNTIL DARK by Frederick Knott

·         Halloween Ball at the Haunted Hidden Pointe – Tues. Oct. 30

 

Spooky Trails at NB Twp Memorial Park

Thursday, October 25 – Saturday October 27, 2012

5:00 PM To 10:00 PM

New Buffalo Twp Memorial Park, 17425 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo

Dare to travel the Spooky Trails! The New Buffalo High School Spanish Club has prepared the way for fun and thrills. Open to the community Thursday. Oct. 25th, 5-7pm and Friday & Saturday. Oct. 26-27th 5-7pm and 8-10pm.

Join the Halloween fun at the first annual New Buffalo Township Park Spooky Trail Event on three nights with five different spooky trails plus games inside the Pavilion! All events sponsored by New Buffalo High School students who are volunteering community service time for their up-coming school trip to Spain.

Early evening times between 5 and 7 pm are geared toward younger children and later evening times between 8 and 10 pm are geared toward teens and adults with scarier themes.

Games in Pavilion under roof in case of rain.

And, on Saturday, October 27, New Buffalo Township Library and Park brings you creepy stories to wrap up the spooky trails with s’mores and hot coco around the fire.

For more information, please call: 269-469-1011, or visit the website: www.newbuffalotownship.org

 

The Great Halloween Spectacle
Friday, October 26, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Downtown St. Joseph, State Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085

Kids can Trick Or Treat downtown at participating merchants. Dogs Dress Up at Fuzzy Butts 7:00 p.m. Admission: Free.
For more information, please call: 269-985-1111, or visit the website:  www.swmichigan.org/events-october-2012.html

 

Celebrate Halloween at FERNWOOD

Saturday, Oct 27, 2012

5:30 PM

Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, MI 49120

Dress in spooky costume and celebrate with activies and treats for the entire family. Trick or treating, pumpkin decorating, spooky creatures and stories, a candy buffet and a costume contest.

For more information, please visit the website: www.fernwoodbotancal.org

Or contact: Jayne Edmundson

Email: jaedmund@indiana.edu

Phone: 812-327-7801

 

Costume Contest sponsored by the Niles District Library
Saturday, October 27, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Niles Library, 620 Main E. Main Street

Niles, MI 49120

9th Annual Costume Contest. Prizes will be awarded in several costume categories: Cutest; Scariest; Funniest & Book Characters. Each categlory will have three age divisions: 0 to 4-year-olds; 5 to 8-year-olds & 9 to 12-year-olds. Costume contest winners will receive A $25 book store gift certificate. Plus we will be giving out dozens of door prizes throughout the afternoon! Parents and children may pre-register in the library’s children’s department beginning Saturday, Oct 13.
For more information, please call: 269-683-0075, or visit the website: www.uncoverniles.com/events-calendar

 

New Buffalo Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat

North Thompson, New Buffalo

Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat
October 28, 2012: New Buffalo Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat. Judging starts at 1:00 SHARP, then parade steps off at North Thompson Street, trick or treat is scheduled 2:30 - 4:30 pm. For additional information, contact Bonnie Keefer @ (269) 469-3715, or visit the website: www.newbuffalo.com

 

Niles Haunted House and Scream Park

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 26, 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: “Ice Age 4: Continental Drift” PG

“Scrat's (voiced by Chris Wedge) never ending pursuit of the almighty acorn leads him to the Earth's core, where he inadvertently causes prehistoric Earth's single supercontinent to break up into smaller pieces. Before things literally fall apart, Manny (Ray Romano) and his wife, Ellie (Queen Latifah), must deal with (stereo) typical adolescent defiance from their teen daughter, Peaches (Keke Palmer), who wants to impress heartthrob mammoth Ethan (hip-hop star Drake), even if it means dumping her faithful best friend, a molehog named Louis (Broadway star Josh Gad). When the Earth begins to shake, Manny, Diego the saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary), Sid the goofy sloth (John Leguizamo), and his senile Granny (Wanda Sykes) are stuck on an iceberg that flows out to sea, where they encounter a band of pirates led by the menacing Captain Gutt (Peter Dinklage), an ape with no interest in the trio's desire to reunite with the rest of their herd.”

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/ice-age-continental-drift

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

 Halloween at Sarett

Saturday, October 27, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Bring a flashlight and experience Halloween on Sarett Nature Center trails. Families with younger children can follow the lighted trail to discover activities and treats. More adventurous explorers can follow the dark trail. Admission: $3

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.

 

Halloween Party

Saturday, October 27, 2:00 pm

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

 

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

 

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

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

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 24, Barney’s Halloween.  Old pants, a shirt, a burlap head, make them into a scarecrow.

 

Saturday, October 27, 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.  12:00 – 4:00 pm

 

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 27, “Spiders, Ghosts and Bats!”  Halloween is just around the corner; join us for some not so scary crafts.

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!):

Nightmares on Broad Street

Friday, October 26, 8:00 pm – 12:00 am

Shadowland Ballroom
333 Broad Street
Saint Joseph, MI 49085

Join us for our third annual Halloween fundraiser for the Silver Beach Carousel. This event will showcase Chicago band Dot Dot Dot, the musical stylings of DJ JB Love, costume contest with cash prizes, a haunting cash bar and more! This fright fest will be located at Shadowland Ballroom – 333 Broad Street, Saint Joseph, MI.

Dot Dot Dot presents an intense live show with the refinement of seasoned pop professionalism. Since coming together in 2007, the band has performed over 700 shows and sold thousands of CDs – all without record label support. The co-ed quintet may be familiar to some as finalists on FOX TV's "American Idol" spin-off show, "The Next Great American Band," during its 2007 season. High-profile shows have followed, including appearances at the Sundance Film Festival, a VH1 Save the Music benefit, events for WGN, T-Mobile, Victoria's Secret, Wrigley, and an invite to perform at President Obama's 2010 "Moving America Forward" rally in Chicago.The Band.

Admission: Tickets are just $10 in advance and $15 at the door. All proceeds will go to the Silver Beach Carousel, a 501(c)(3) organization

For more information, please contact: Katie White, 269/982-8500

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.

Halloween Ball @ The Haunted Hidden Pointe
Tuesday, October 30 2012 - 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Hidden Pointe Hall

1062 Nickerson Avenue

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

You are Invited...to the most Frightening event of the Year!

*Learn to dance the East Coast SWING!
*Costume Contest & Best Carved Pumpkin Contest! (Bring a carved pumpkin and get $2.00 off admission!)
*Chance to WIN great PRIZES!

*Spooktacular Dance SHOWS!
*Enjoy Ghoulish FOOD & Full BAR!

If you've never been to this Monster's Bash before...Get Ready for an awesome time!
Open to everyone and No Experience Needed, so Bring all of your Spooky Friends!

Cost is Only $12 for A Night Full of Frightful FUN! First time visitors are Free!
*NEW Promotion this year...If you bring new first time visitors to the Halloween Ball, you will receive $1.00 back for each person you bring AND they are in for Free!

Swing lesson begins at 7, and the Dance Party will rage on until 10pm!
See you there...If You Dare....

For more information, please visit the website: https://www.facebook.com/events/440651549303461/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_user_invited