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Save the Date!
50th Annual National Blueberry Festival
August 8-11!
After the forests were cleared and lumber shipped to ports like Milwaukee and Chicago to build their cities, another industry took over in South Haven- agriculture. Due to the temperate lake breezes, it was discovered by world-renowned horticulturists like Liberty Hyde Bailey, a South Haven native, that this area was perfect for growing fruit, particularly blueberries, peaches and grapes. South Haven is proud to be known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World" because Michigan, and particularly Van Buren County, ranks as the nation's leading producer of the crop.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the National Blueberry Festival will be August 8-11, 2013. This four-day festival will be held in various locations in and out of doors in the Lake Michigan Beachtown community of South Haven, Michigan. Many events take place overlooking South Haven's picturesque harbor, our 110 year old Lighthouse and Lake Michigan.
This is a very family-friendly event with activities for all ages to enjoy! Plus, most all events are free and open to the public.
Top events are a Kids' blueberry pie eating contest on Friday,
top-tier free evening entertainment throughout the festival, blueberry pancake breakfasts, Saturday and Sunday, Blueberry Festival Parade on Saturday, Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Downtown Sidewalk Sales, Blueberry Festival Cook Off, 5K Run/Walk on Saturday and Rotary Club Fly-in, Classic Car Show and Pancake Breakfast at South Haven Regional Airport.
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Waterfront Film Festival 2013
For the first time ever, the Waterfront Film Festival was held in South Haven June 13-16 & we had a blast! Below are a handful of photographs taken during the Opening Night Party on South Beach by South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau Photographer, Jamie Garvison.
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Pianist Andy Frasco was named musician of the year at Sundance Film Festival & had most of the crowd on their feet dancing for hours!
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 | | A family enjoys the music on South Beach! |
 | | Local band, Dynamo, entertains before headliner Andy Frasco takes the stage. A few members of Dynamo joined Frasco during his performance, impressing the crowd with their improvisational style! |
 | | Enjoying the beach during musical performances! |
 | | The short film screenings begin at dark! |
To request an Official Visitors Guide with a complete listing of lodging members contact us at 269.637.5252/1.800.SO.HAVEN.
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Follow us @SouthHavenCVB!
Are you on Instagram? WE ARE! Take your own favorite photos of the South Haven Area & give us permission to repost using #SouthHaven!
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Greetings!
South Haven, known as the Blueberry Capital of the World, produces as much as 90 million pounds of blueberries annually, almost one-third of the nation's yield.
2013 marks the 50th anniversary of The National Blueberry Festival! Make plans to celebrate with us August 8-11th. Event Highlights include top-notch evening entertainment, a Kids' Blueberry Pie eating contest, a Blueberry Parade, Blueberry Pancake Breakfasts, Arts & Crafts Fair, 5K Walk/Run, Sandcastle Building Contest, Airplane Fly-in and Classic Car Show, and much, much more! Check out our online calendar of events for up-to-date information at www.southhaven.org or call our office seven days a week at 1.800.SOHAVEN.
"The Call of Fall"
With temperatures soaring it's hard to imagine that Fall is not too far away, but with the change of the seasons comes a calendar full of obligations and commitments. Before yours fills up, plug in these important dates for a return visit . . . September 6-8 is Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival, October 5th and 6th is the annual Blue Coasts Artists Fall Tour of Studios, and October 11-13 is the South Haven Fall Fest. Remaining October weekends offer popular activities like wine tasting, pumpkin picking and fall color tours. November 8-10th marks the 3rd Annual Women's Only Weekend in South Haven! This popular event draws women from all over the midwest for a weekend of fun and relaxation!
For ideas or assistance with your travel plans, please call the South Haven/Van Buren County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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Center Studio at the South Haven Center for the Arts
June 18-August 16, Tuesday through Friday. The South Haven Center for the Arts will have our Center Studio classes for children ages 4 and up to attend on a drop-in basis. Two sessions each day starting at 11 am with a 30 minute lunch break between sessions and the second class beginning at 12:30 pm. Each session costs $6.00 per student, or parents can purchase a frequent visitors card which would allow the child to attend five sessions for $25. These classes inspire imagination and creation and are fun for the whole family! For more information, please call the Art Center.www.southhavenarts.org
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8th Annual South Haven Dinghy Parade
July 13, Dinghies at Yacht Club dock by 5:45pm, Dinghy Parade at 6pm.
Everyone is invited to participate!
Register online by NOON, July 13 or in person on Parade Day by 5:30 p.m. at the Yacht Club Dock. (No fee but registration is required.)
Parade Route: Parade begins at the Yacht Club and will travel up-river under the drawbridge then out to the Light House and back to the Yacht Club Dock.
Best Places to view the parade will be the South Haven Yacht Club, the Idler, Captain Lou's, the South Municipal Marina docks, or the Lighthouse Pier.
Prizes for best decorated dinghies and lots of door prizes!
Prizes will be awarded at the Yacht Club immediately following the parade. The Yacht Club will be open to the public for dinner and drink specials.
See you there!
shdinghyparade.com
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Uncork Paw Paw: Grapes & Grains Festival
July 20, 2-10pm.
Showcasing Southwest Michigan's Finest Beer & Wine while supporting the Two Rivers Coalition's fight to "Save Maple Lake."Featuring Wine & Beer for purchase from St. Julian Winery and Paw Paw Brewing Co. Food provided by Amore Pizza. Musical Performances by Brocoustic (2-4pm), Exit 41 (4:30-6:30pm), and Delilah DeWyld and the Lost Boys (7-10pm)! Admission only $5! www.stjulian.com
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Summer Evening Cook-Outs at
Fenn Valley Winery
July 20, 6pm.
We'll provide the grill and meat, you provide the grill master.
A buffet with picnic-style sides will also be provided.
Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music, wine, food, and friends.
Admission includes champagne reception, meat (steak, chicken, or veggie burger/kabobs), dinner wine, sides, dessert, dessert wine, and music.
www.fennvalley.com
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The Elders in Concert at Foundry Hall
July 20,
7:30-9pm.
Since forming in 1998, The Elders have set the music scene on its ear, thanks to a skillful blend of American roots rock and amped-up Celtic folk; a cross-pollination of elements that is high-octane and progressive, yet rooted in tradition. It didn't take long to establish themselves as one of the top American Celtic-rock bands, headlining the biggest Celtic festivals in North America & Europe, and quickly gaining critical attention in prestigious publications such as PASTE Magazine, Music Row Magazine, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Goldmine Magazine, TRAD Magazine (France), Chicago Sun-Times, Kansas City Star and many more. Tickets: $11-$15.
www.foundryhall.org
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Dinghy Poker Run
Each year, boaters are charged $40 per boat to enter. There are 7 stops along the river, usually at local businesses, to pick up the sealed envelope playing cards. The boat with the best hand wins a cash prize. You may enter without a dinghy and come to the post party to buy a hand (many people support the local charity of choice this way). Please contact Scott at 269.207.1895, or scottaboyd@msn.com, for more information.
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6th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Country Family Farm Fest
A day of celebrating locally grown and family farms. Experience "Farm, Fresh, FUN!"U-pick & We-pick opportunities, wagon rides, games with prizes, craft projects, seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, homespun hospitality, wine tasting, farm animals and farm activities for kids of all ages. Lakeshore Harvest Country farms are located along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Saugatuck and South Haven.Enjoy U-pick opportunities (raspberries and blueberries), at Riverbend Farm, Stephenson's Farms and Dee's Lakeshore Farm. View and learn about farm animals at Overhiser Orchards and Khnemu Studio on Fernwood Farm. Watch chicks hatching at Fernwood Farm.Families should plan to spend several hours, including lunch, in Lakeshore Harvest Country. Ice cream and pies are available from Dutch Farm Market, and kids can have fun at their playground. Wine tasting is available at McIntosh Apple Orchards & Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery."Kids love to make their free craft project each year..." says Dawn Soltysiak of Khnemu Studio on Fernwood Farm."Rain or shine, this is a day packed with farm fun," Kim Overhiser of Overhiser Orchards says. www.lakeshoreharvestcountry.com
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