It’s time to get wine corks popping, beer foaming and spirits stirring in Southwest Michigan. The 2024/2025 Southwest Michigan Makers Trail Passport Challenge is underway from Sept. 3, 2024 to April 30, 2025. Sponsored by the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, it encourages adults 21 years and older to visit over 40 wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries and try their makers’ crafts.
“It’s a fun reason to get together with family and friends. The more makers you visit, the more favorite craft beverages you will find, the more access codes you can scan and the more rewards you can claim,” said Marcy Simpson, executive director of the Tourist Council. “We keep the challenge simple, so it takes only visiting for two to three days to reach at least one prize level.”
This year’s rewards are:
Level 1: $15 Makers Trail Gift Certificate when you scan 10 different Makers Trail access codes.
Level 2: Custom-designed Makers Trail T-Shirt when you scan a total of 20 different Makers Trail access codes.
Level 3: Custom-designed Makers Trail Hoodie when you scan a total of 30 different Makers Trail access codes.
Bonus Reward: Makers Trail YETI stackable cup when you spend at least one night at a participating hotel and complete ANY rewards program level.
Grand Prize: All-Inclusive Layover Package — Two nights (double occupancy) in a participating hotel plus gift certificates redeemable at area restaurants, Makers Trail destinations and more. To enter the drawing, passport holders must complete all levels, including the bonus level, by April 30, 2025. The winner will be announced by May 30, 2025.
It is easy to start the Makers Trail Passport Challenge. Download the free Visit Southwest Michigan app from the App Store or Google Play. It puts everything at participants’ fingertips, including this year’s rules, a listing of makers, easy access code collecting and automatic tallying of rewards, including an entry in the Grand Prize drawing for qualifiers.
While this year’s Passport is digital-only, a printed Makers Trail map is available at the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council Information Center in Benton Harbor, participating makers’ locations and hotels. Or download the map from the Makers Trail website, www.makerstrail.org.
“Every year, repeat Makers Trail Passport participants tell us they enjoy trying our newest craft beverages. The prizes are collector items, too,” said Simpson. “Whether this is your first time to explore the trail or you’ve done the challenge for years, we look forward to raising a glass with you before April 30.”
The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council connects visitors and locals to activities in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. View their curated events, blogs, itineraries, trail guides and more online. For more information, call 269-925-6301, or visit https://makerstrail.org/passport or https://www.facebook.com/MakersTrail.
