Everyone’s favorite fall activities are coming together during Love Local Weekend, September 16-18. Throughout Michigan’s Great Southwest, businesses will host extended shopping hours, free gift wrapping, new products, specials and a wide variety of area events!
Weekend activities include the last concert in the Friday Night Concert Series. This free, hour-long concert will be held on Friday, September 16 from 7:00p-8:00p at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell and will feature performances by The GhostLight Theatre.
Featured songs include selections from “Little Women” and “Violet, plus a preview song “Once”, which premieres in 2023.
Performances by Emilie Kurtz, Dan Maxon, Nicole Mitchell, Paige Mulick, Sofia Pate, Meghan Pelkey, Carrie VanDenburgh, and
Brady West, accompanied on the keyboard by Christine Seitz. “The GhostLight Theatre is a cultural asset to the community and St. Joe Today is excited to partner with Paul Mow and The GhostLight to close out the 2022 Friday Night Concert season,” said Amy Zapal, executive director of St. Joseph Today.
On Saturday, downtown St. Joseph will host Fall Fest from 9:00a-3:00p in Lake Bluff Park on Saturday, September 17, sponsored by RE/MAX by the Lake and Holt Bosse.
Fall Fest activities in Lake Bluff Park include:
St. Joe Farmers Market | 9:00a-2:00p
Market-goers will enjoy fresh finds at the weekly St. Joe Farmers Market. Vendors will offer a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more! This event is held Saturdays in the scenic Lake Bluff Park, overlooking Lake Michigan.
RE/MAX by the Lake Big Balloon Walk Through | 9:00a-11:00a
Join the RE/MAX by the Lake team for a “walk through” of the partially inflated hot air balloon! This activity will be located in the lot at the corner of Lake Blvd. and Pleasant St.
Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Pumpkin Raffle | 9:00a-2:00p
Presented by the Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Club from 9a to 1:45p, this fun-filled event culminates with the Great Pumpkin Raffle drawing at 2p. The first five tickets pulled win $500, $400, $300, $100 and $50. A $10 raffle ticket benefits the Benton Harbor Rotary community youth projects, including the construction and distribution of over 400 student desks to promote home
learning and an outdoor STEM learning platform at the Boys & Girls Club. All tickets will be sold by 1:45p and entrants do not need to be present to win.
Interactive Fun in Lake Bluff Park | 10:00a-3:00p
Attendees will enjoy interactive games, crafts and/or photo opportunities with our Fall Fest vendors: RE/MAX by the Lake, Balloon Twisters, First Congregational Church, OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, Renaissance Athletic Club, YMCA of Greater Michiana, Interact Club, Brown and Luczak Family Dentistry, Trinity Lutheran and Fusion Center for Dance.
Critter Barn | 11:00a-3:00p
Enjoy their FARM ON THE GO! and meet the animals of Critter Barn.
Storytime with Poppy | 11:30a & 12:30p
Join Forever Books for Storytime with Poppy & Diana!
Storytime with St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library | 1:30p
Join the St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library for additional storytime fun!
All weekend long, area businesses and restaurants will host special offers as part of the September Love Local Weekend. Promotions include, but are not limited to: Silver Beach Carousel open Saturday, September 17 from 11:00a-5:00p and Sunday from 12:00p-5:00p plus enjoy a sneak peek of their Halloween decorations; YMCA of Greater Michiana hosts Yoga on Tap at The Livery on Sunday, September 18; Oh My Darlings offers new fall baby apparel daily and a “Princess Area”. Visit stjoetoday.com/lovelocal and stjoetoday.com/fallfest for more information.
The fun continues as we head further into the fall and winter season. “We have a full roster of events scheduled for the last quarter of the year,” said Zapal. “Everything from the St. Joe Farmers Market and Pumpkins on Parade to Luminary, Small Business Saturday, Window Wonderland, Reindog Holiday Parade and more!”
