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Southwest Michigan
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St. Joseph or St. Joe?

Whatever you call it, one day in the beautiful town of “St. Joe” will not give you enough time to see it all, but you're sure to enjoy your visit. A small sampling of things to do includes a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, three immaculate public beaches, festivals, art fairs, countless restaurants and specialty shops. You may want to rent bikes and ride across the pier for a close up view of one of Lake Michigan’s most historic lighthouses. Or make arrangements to enjoy one of the 40 charter fishing boats or a sunset charter. Your children won’t want to miss a ride on the new Carousel, in operation right off the beach. At the top rated Silver Beach, check out the Shadowland Pavilion, which can be reserved for family get-togethers and other special events. See for yourself why Money Magazine (2008) named St. Joseph one of the best places to retire! And even if it isn’t time to retire, it is a great time to invest in family memories at your own lake home just over 20 minutes from St. Joe at Lake Chapin Shores.

Click here for a Calendar of Events
Click here for Area Restaurant Guide

The Curious Kids Museum and Kids Zone is an interactive hands-on playground dedicated to the areas of science and technology, history and culture. It features over 100 hands-on exhibits.

The Krasl Art Center is a place where imagination and art will fill your senses. In addition to the monthly and permanent exhibits, you can take art classes and workshops or visit the Gallery Shop.

Silver Beach Carousel and Museum is the pride of the town. January 2010 marked the return of the Carousel, located just off the beach. Complete with band organ music, it boasts 48 uniquely hand-carved figures of horses, tigers and more.

If you are in the mood for classical music, you are sure to enjoy an evening with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra.

Click below to go to the St. Joseph
Visitor Information Website
 

Brown Bag Concerts 
Wednesdays, 12 p.m.- 1 p.m.
June 15th - August 31st
John E. N. Howard Band Shell, Port St., Downtown
This long running series returns to the intimate confines of the John E.N. Howard Band Shell overlooking the St. Joe River with views of Lake Michigan and the lighthouse. Bring your lunch and take a break from the daily grind!
2011 Concerts
June 15th - Lilac Ministries (christian oriented, old hymns)
June 24th - Mark Ficks (blues, rock, country)
June 29th - Marty Miles (acoustic rock & electric folk)
July 6th - Tim Velez (Dan Fogelberg tribute, Jimmy Buffett)
July 13th - Tony Pica Project (contemporary jazz, blues, R&B)
July 20th - Venitia Sekema (original folk, blues and more)
July 27th - Suzanne & Jim (americana traditional acoustic)
August 3rd - Steve & Sara Dowell (celtic, folk, country, spirituals, show tunes)
August 10th - Leonardo & The Making Waves Band (kid's show!)
August  17th - Mike Talbot (John Denver tribute, folk, acoustic rock)
August 24th - Robert Flood (americana, blues, folk, country)
August 31st - Art Attila Trio plus One (family oriented folk plus originals)

St. Joseph Farmer's Markets:
Lake Bluff Park Between Broad and Pleasant Streets

Saturday Market; 9am - 2pm
June 4th - October 8th

Wednesday Market; 4pm - 7pm
June 8th - August 31st
Going to the downtown Farmer's Market used to be limited to the treat of selecting your own ripe, succulent fruits and vegetables, but things have changed! Saturday morning at the Market now includes jams, honey, hearth-baked breads and fine pastries, perennials, cut flowers, organic vegetables and so much more!

Take the time to chat with vendors who will share recipes, planting recommendations and cooking tips. Also, plan to visit with several friends since the number of people attending this weekly event has continued to grow over the last few years. It's a Saturday (and now a Wednesday) tradition.

Antiques on the Bluff
Lake Bluff Park, St. Joseph
May 1st - October 2nd (1st Sunday of every month); 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Antiques on the Bluff is held along tree lined Lake Bluff Park, overlooking Lake Michigan. This antique show is a premier event for St. Joseph and antiquers around Southwest Michigan!  This event offers free parking, and no admission.

2011 Friday Night Concerts
Every Friday from June 17th to September 2nd, 7:30 pm
.John E. N. Howard Band Shell, Port St., Downtown
Soothing sounds overlooking the St. Joe River with views of Lake Michigan and the lighthouse!
June 17th - Deep Fried Pickle Project (bluegrass, hokum, folk, rockabilly)
June 24th - Mockingbird (traditional & contemporary folk)
July 1st - The Moonlighters (swing-era big band)
July 22nd - Van Dyke Revue (classic rock & pop)
July 29th - Lake Effect Jazz (mainstream & contemporary jazz big band)
August 5th - Tim Velez & Fair Wind (70's & 80's easy listening, classic rock/pop)
August 12th - Four Spacious Guys (folk, rock, country)
August 19th - Harvest Home (irish pub songs & tunes)
August 26th - Fiddlers Restrung (21 pc string ensemble: bluegrass, celtic, appalachian step-dancing)
Sept 2nd - Lana Hawkins Jazz Trio

Regatta Craft Fair
Saturday June 4th & September 3rd, 2011
10am-5pm
Lake Bluff Park, St. Joseph
Craft show on the bluff during the Rhumbline (June) and Tri-State Regattas (September.) Watch the boats, shop and don't forget the Farmers' Market will be going on as well as the Antiques Market on Sunday!

2011 Free Horse Drawn Trolley Hours
The clip-clop of hooves hitting the brick road mingles with the jangling of harnesses as a large Percheron pulls the trolley along the streets of historic downtown St. Joseph, Michigan. Trolley pickup and dropoff is at the SE corner of State and Elm.

* Sundays during Antiques on the Bluff  11am - 2pm Every Wednesday, June 15-Aug 31, from 1pm - 3 p.m.
* After the BrownBag Concerts
Every Sunday, June 26 - September 4, from 1pm - 3 p.m.
* Before the Municipal Band Concerts
* Excludes July 10 and July 17
Saturday, June 4 (Noon -3p.m.)
* Farmers Market Opening and Regatta Craft Fair Saturday, September 3 (Noon - 3 p.m.) * During the Tri-State Regatta and Regatta Craft Fair Saturday, September 24 (Noon - 3:00 p.m.) Blues, Brews & BBQ Saturday, October 8 (11a.m. - 3 p.m.)
* During the Harvest Festival Saturday, October 15 (12 noon - 3:00p.m.) Weather Permitting Saturday, October 22 (Noon - 3:00 p.m.) Weather Permitting Friday, November 18 (5-8 p.m.)
* During the Luminary Festival, weather permitting Friday, November 25 (1-4 p.m.)
* Thanksgiving Weekend, weather permitting Saturday, December 3 (12:30-3 p.m.)
* After the Reindog Parade, weather permitting Saturday, December 10 & 17 (1-4 p.m.)
* During Holiday Shopping, weather permitting

Don't miss the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Find more info at www.smso.org

Fireworks at dusk on MONDAY the 4th of July

50th Annual Krasl Art Fair
July 9th and 10th, 2011
Lake Bluff Park, Downtown St. Joseph
Ppresented by Krasl Art Center, this annual art fair is one of the premier art shows in the country. Music and entertainment will be provided all day long while you browse more than 
200 artist vendors. For more information call 269-983-0271 or visit www.krasl.org

Venetian Festival
July 14th - 17th, 2011
Silver Beach, St. Joseph, MI
The Venetian Festival is an annual event that takes place every July in downtown St. Joseph and Silver Beach on the coast of Lake Michigan. The festival includes food vendors from local restaurants and an array of music on multiple stages.  A carnival, craft fair and kids activities are also available.

Chalk the Block on the Bluff
Friday, August 5th through Sunday, August 7th, 2011
Lake Boulevard in downtown St. Joseph

Krasl Concours on the Bluff            |
Saturday, August 13th, 2011: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Lake Bluff Park
The Concours exhibit is limited to approximately 80 vehicles, and in past years, has featured vehicles built as far back as the early1900s. This year, in addition to Chevrolets, special emphasis is being placed on Morgans, “woodie” wagons, mini-micro vehicles and vehicles designed by both Virgil Exner, Sr. and Jr. Vehicles displayed will be complemented by three "pass in review" events narrated by F. Edward Lucas II, "The Voice of Meadow Brook" and "The Voice of Amelia Island"

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