Southwest Michigan is celebrating the holiday weekend! Enjoy live music, wine tasting, a Farmers Market, Antiques on the Bluff, and various firework shows throughout St. Joe and neighboring towns. It’s sure to be a blast of a weekend!
FRIDAY, JUNE 30
BOSS Services is providing you with a lunch alternative on Fridays from 11:00a-2:00p! Food trucks will rotate each week and all are welcome. All First Responders and HVAC Traders eat FREE!
Take a spin on the Silver Beach Carousel! Summer hours include Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00p-8:00p. Please note the Carousel is closed Monday-Thursday.
Head to the Benton Harbor Arts District for Arts in the Park hosted by the Benton Harbor Arts Association (BHAA) from 6:00p-9:00p! Enjoy local artist booths, live music, food trucks, kids activities and more.
The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber hosts their annual Independence Day Celebration at the Watermark Solarium from 6:00p-11:00p. Attendees will enjoy live music by The Edgar Wilbury Experience and delicious food from Grande Mere Inn and The Brick House food trucks!
Catch live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Friday lineup:
Dablon Vineyards -Chris Burch from 3:30p-6:30p
Lemon Creek Winery - Brian McClure from 5:00p-8:00p
Plank’s Tavern - Grayson Barton from 5:30p-8:30p
Heading to the beautiful Southwest Michigan beaches? Take a look at the links below. There’s a real-time update of the water temperatures as well as the swimming conditions, and the Silver Beach County Park Beach Cam.
GREAT LAKES WATER TEMPERATURES & SWIMMING CONDITIONS
SILVER BEACH COUNTY PARK BEACH CAM
INSIDER TIP: Forget something for your beach trip? Check out Scooter Joe’s for beach item rentals -
everything from kick boards, floating waterproof speakers, beach chairs, umbrellas,
beach wagons, strollers and more! Or swing by G&M Variety for beach toys, towels,
sunscreen and more!
SATURDAY, JULY 1
Stop to get some fresh eats at the St. Joe Farmers Market, running from 9:00a-2:00p in Lake Bluff Park. Market-goers will find a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more!
INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss the Wednesday Night Market, a new summer market that features a mix of
artisans and farmers! Join us weekly in Court Place Plaza (across from Silver Harbor Brewing)
from 4:00p-8:00p, May 31-August 30.
Check out the Public Lighthouse Hours on Fridays from 12:00p-5:00p, Saturdays from 11:00a-5:00p and Sundays from 12:00p-5:00p hosted by The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. The main level, exhibit and introductory tour are free! Attendees can also enjoy a Guided Walking Tour & Upper Level Climb ($10/person), available at 1:00p and 3:00p Friday-Sunday.
Join Forever Clean Soap Works for some good clean fun! Stop in for Bath Bomb Painting, a great activity for all ages. How does it work? Pick a bath bomb and paint it with skin-safe colors and you’ll get to take it home the same day! Available Tuesday-Friday from 10:30a-5:00p and Saturday from 10:30a-3:00p.
Join Lake Michigan Vintners every Friday and Saturday from 12:00p-6:00p for wine tastings at Michigan’s only teaching winery! Wine at LMV is created by Lake Michigan College’s Wine & Viticulture program.
Catch live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Saturday lineup:
12 Corners Winery - For Pete’s Sake from 3:00p-6:00p
Plank’s Tavern - Elliot & Joel from 5:30p-8:30p
The Livery - Laney Lou and The Bird Dogs at 8:30p
Have a splash down at the Whirlpool Compass Fountain, it’s the perfect way for the family to cool down while also making their vacation memorable. Open daily from 10:00a-9:00p (through Labor Day).
SUNDAY, JULY 2
Start your Sunday off with Antiques on the Bluff. Take a small walk through history as you browse over 50 vendors. This event takes over Lake Bluff Park and is open from 10:00a-5:00p.
INSIDER TIP: If you can’t catch it this weekend due to all the
festivities, no problem! Antiques on the Bluff runs the
first Sunday of the month, May-October.
Head over to Eden Springs Park for their Summer Miniature Train Rides! Train rides are available Saturday and Sunday from 12:00p-5:00p, through Labor Day weekend. Cost $3/person, kids 3 and under free.
INSIDER TIP: Save the date for their annual Halloween Train Rides
in October and Christmas Rides in December!
Forever Books hosts the Where’s Waldo Hunt July 1-31! Grab a passport from Forever Books, search for Waldo in participating stores to earn a stamp and turn in your completed passport to be entered into a raffle!
Catch live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Sunday lineup:
City of Bridgman - Kris Huntley from 2:00p-5:00p
City of St. Joseph - Municipal Band Concert at 7:00p
Coach’s Bar & Grill - Hunter Vincek from 1:00p-4:00p
Dablon Vineyards - The Backsliders from 2:30p-5:30p
Gravity Winery - Don Field from 2:00p-5:00p
Plank’s Tavern - Chris Burch from 4:00p-7:00p
Silver Harbor Brewing - Donald Savoie from 7:00p-10:00p
Sister Lakes Brewing - David O’Leary at 4:00p
Tabor Hill Winery - Dan Maxon from 2:30p-5:30p
The Livery - BHAA Open Stage from 5:00p-8:00p
Watermark Brewing -Matt Kotinek at 7:00p
MONDAY, JULY 3
Cheers to red, white and brews! Enjoy tasty beverages, classic backyard BBQ food and more at the annual Baroda Fireworks Celebration at The Beer Garden at the Public House. The fun kicks off at 5:00p! Cover charge of $5/person (21+).
Choose your own land or water adventure this weekend with Scooter Joe’s Wheel & Water Rentals, Third Coast Paddling, Southwest Michigan Cycleboat, Blue Water Boat Rentals, Pier 1000, Lake Life Watersports and Doe-Wah-Jack’s Canoe Rental.
INSIDER TIP: The Inn at Harbor Shores now offers Swan & Paddle Boat
rentals! You do not have to be a guest to rent -
visit harborshoresresot.com for more info!
Food can be just as fun as activities, so check out the various eats in and around St. Joe such as Kingfisher Cocktails & Tacos, Dad’s Farm & Cafe, Anemel, The Brick House, The Local and many more - visit stjoetoday.com/eat for a full list!
INSIDER TIP: If you’re looking to grill out this weekend
stock up with State Street Meats!
Catch live music throughout Southwest Michigan! See below for the Monday lineup:
Plank’s Tavern - Piano Night with David Brock from 6:00p-8:00p
RyeBelles - Mike Struwin at 7:00p
The City of St. Joseph hosts the annual Independence Day Fireworks at dusk (10:00p) off the South Pier at Silver Beach County Park. Please note that portions of Silver Beach and Tiscornia Beach, as well as the North and South Piers, will be closed to provide the required safety zone. For boaters, please note that the Blossomland Bridge and Bicentennial Bridge will not open for boats needing vertical clearance until after the post-fireworks road traffic has cleared. The show is anticipated to be about 22 minutes.
What’s better than fireworks? Fireworks to music! Check out this thunderous display during A Salute to America hosted by the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra at the Shadowland Pavilion at 8:30p.
TUESDAY, JULY 4
The festivities continue on Monday! Head over to Berrien Springs for the Pickle Festival from 11:00a-3:00p! Hosted at the Berrien County Historical Association’s Courthouse Square and the Berrien Spring Community Library. Attendees will enjoy the Big Wheel Race, Dunk Tank, Pickle Decorating Contest, Relish Eating Contest, Pickle Fling, Craft & Food Vendors and more!
On the first Tuesday of the month, join the Benton Harbor Public Library for Read with Dogs! This event features the 4H Best Friends group from 6:00p-7:00p.
INSIDER TIP: Join BHPL for additional upcoming events: Outdoor Family
Movie on Friday, June 30 at 10:00p; Graphic Novel for Grown Fooks on
Thursday, July 6 from 6:00p-7:30p!
Wrap up the holiday celebrations with the City of St. Joseph Municipal Band concert at 7:00p! Hosted at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell, attendees will enjoy a beautiful view of the St. Joseph River.
