Think summer is over in Southwest Michigan? No way! August and early September are packed with fun summer events in and around St. Joseph.
The Southwest Michigan Tourist Council says visitors are encouraged to fit in a carefree ;vacay stay’ or book a trip around an annual art event, a 90s-themed anniversary party, a new music festival, sailboat watching and a new cannabis festival.
This first weekend of August (Aug. 5-7) brings the bustle back to Broad Street in St. Joseph, as it’s closed down and covered in creativity for Chalk the Block.
“This unique event has always been a hit,” Millicent Huminsky, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council executive director, said. “Visitors and local passersby can watch as both amateur and professional artists prepare their squares and work through the weekend to bring them to life with chalk drawings. Our selected artists hail from our region, throughout the country and even some from across the world!”
Admission to this family-friendly event is free. Some of these works of art are even 3D; with the help of their camera, the viewer can change their perspective of the piece.
Southwest Michigan celebrates art in many forms, especially art created with local ingredients. Round Barn Winery’s vines have been growing in our region for three whole decades now — so much so that the vines grew into a brewery, distillery, outdoor music venue and several varieties of beverages.
This local craft beverage maker will be celebrating its 30th anniversary from Aug. 12-14 at the Round Barn Estate,10983 Hills Road, Baroda. Anyone is invited to join them back where their story began, in the 1990s. Visitors are encouraged to wear their 90s-best attire and party like it’s 1992 all weekend long.
The festivities begin Friday night with the 90s dance party. Partygoers can dance to popular 90s jams from Backstreet Boys and NSYNC to LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa. Both Saturday and Sunday will also be jam-packed with music for all to enjoy.
“Guests can explore and taste at several stations that all live under the Round Barn brand, starting with wine, beer favorites, our flavor trip series, spirits and more,” Jennifer Marren, Moersch Group’s event and marketing specialist said. “This will be the largest tasting event Round Barn Estate has ever had!”
The musical headliner, Trippin’ Billies, said to be the nation’s most-renowned and longest-touring tribute to the Dave Matthews Band, will take the stage at 4 p.m. Those celebrating can return for Sunday as Lady Sunshine makes her appearance back at the Estate and takes the stage at 3:30 p.m. More onsite experiences include specialty cocktail demonstrations with the Round Barn mixologist, a 90s photo backdrop so guests have fun pictures to post and hayrides through the expansive vineyard. Ticket prices vary per event. Information can be found on Round Barn’s event page.
Southwest Michigan is launching a new music festival on Aug. 20. The Lake Breeze Music Festival in St. Joseph only costs $25-35 per ticket for contemporary smooth jazz on the shores of Lake Michigan. The Shadowland Pavilion gates open at 5 p.m..
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.lakebreezemusicfestival.com/.
The powerhouse lineup features:
6:05 p.m-6:50 p.m: Fast rising stars The Andrew Fisher Quartet
7:05 p.m-7:50 p.m: Carmen Stokes
8:05 p.m-9:05 p.m: Meagan McNeal
9:30 p.m-10:45 p.m: Tim Cunningham
September may be here before we know it, but when it comes, Southwest Michigan will offer activities both old and new. The Tri-State Regatta hosted by the St. Joseph River Yacht Club happens from Sept. 3-5. This event offers the opportunity to watch as the racing sailboats pass through the channel between the North and South Pier Lighthouses and dock along the St. Joseph River Wall by the Margaret B. Upton Arboretum Wall. It will be a bustling waterway! Even at night, passersby can’t miss the themed decor of these ships. Some are decked out with lights, others play the likes of Jimmy Buffett music and one may even see some pirate ships.
After Labor Day, the Makers Trail will launch its 2022-2023 passport collecting season. However, this year, instead of carrying around a physical passport booklet, guests can easily download an app to keep track of their visits instead. As they tour the Makers Trail, they can ask the location for a check-in code to earn their stamps and, eventually, Flight Crew prizes! A printed passport sheet will be available for those without smartphones. The passport will be open through the end of May 2023.
“We don’t want fans of Southwest Michigan thinking summer is over just yet — there are still so many opportunities to make memories in the day-to-day life of our lakeside towns, not to mention all the upcoming events,” Huminsky said. “We encourage those in need of a vacation or quick getaway to come to Southwest Michigan and find life’s simple joys.”
The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council connects visitors and locals alike with things to do in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. View their curated itineraries, Makers Trail and Creative Connections destinations, blogs, trail guides, newsletters and more online. For more information, visit https://swmichigan.org or https://www.facebook.com/swmtc/, or call 269-925-6301.
