Save the Date! 51st Annual National Blueberry Festival, August 7-10, 2014!  Tethered hot air balloon rides at the South Haven Area Regional Airport! Photo by staff photographer, Jamie Garvison.
Brief History: 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.
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.
Top events are a Kids' blueberry pie eating contest, 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.
 | | The South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce holds a two day craft fair on the Saturday/Sunday of the Blueberry Festival. This craft fair, which features both fine art and handmade crafts, features over 140 vendors in scenic Stanley Johnston Park. The popular fair serves as a fundraiser for both the Chamber and the Blueberry Festival. Photo by Jamie Garvison. |
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Lodging Specials
and
Packages!
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Choose from one of our romantic
bed & breakfasts,
historic inns,
family-owned
hotels and
resorts, or even
rent a cozy
cottage.
Check out our
fabulous
Specials &
Packages here!
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German Writers get a Glimpse of South Haven, Writes Becky Kark of the South Haven Tribune!
 | | One stop on the tour, the Michigan Maritime Museum. Photo by Jamie Garvison. |
"When Germans think of touring the United States, their first thoughts turn to the high-rise buildings of New York City, Florida's sunny beaches, California's sunshine or the picturesque landscape of the Southwest - but not as in Southwest Michigan.
That could change though. At least that's what Travel Michigan officials hope, as they lure more travel writers from Germany and the United Kingdom to tour the Mitten State and pen stories about its amenities.
Four German journalists and one from Austria spent this past week visiting towns throughout Michigan, including South Haven.
'Michigan is not a common holiday destination in Germany like New York or Florida,' said Philipp Grimm, Pure Michigan account assistant in Germany. 'I think it's intriguing because it's unknown.' 'It's the first time we've had German writers here in South Haven,' said Dave Lorenz, manager of industry relations and international marketing for Travel Michigan. Lorenz said he wanted to be sure to include South Haven on the tour because of the improvements made to the downtown in the past two years, the expansion of the town's recreational trails and the downtown's close proximity to Lake Michigan. Apparently the German and Austrian writers enjoyed what they saw while here.
'I love it,' said Martina Gluecks, a writer for an automotive magazine in Stuttgart, Germany. 'When I got on the plane we left Chicago's big skyline and when I opened my eyes again we arrived to such a cozy little beach town. I think it's the perfect place to rest... The lake is fantastic.'"
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Greetings!
Lawn chairs will open and blankets will
be spread along beaches and riverbanks as upwards of 25,000 people head to South Haven for Light up the Lake 2014! Our
annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration
will consist of $34,000 worth of
pyrotechnics & one gorgeous sunset over
Lake Michigan! Listen to the Light Up The
Lake soundtrack LIVE on SuperHits 103.7 COSY-FM as the fireworks shoot off synchronized to the music!
The annual fireworks display begins at 10:30pm on Thursday, July 3rd. It will be followed by the Independence Day Parade
at 11am, Friday and the South Haven Art
Fair on Saturday & Sunday! Keep the 4th
of July celebrations going this weekend
with Bangor's fireworks display beginning
at dusk on Saturday, July 5! Just a short,
15 minute drive east.
Here are a few Light up the Lake Tips
from the South Haven Tribune!
Where are the best public viewing
areas?
South Beach, North beach,
Riverfront Park on Water Street, Kids
Corner Park on Monroe Boulevard, & public
beach access points along North Shore
Drive. Parking costs $7 at city-operated
beach parking lots unless passes are
displayed on the vehicle.
Will the drawbridge be closed?
Yes and no. The Dyckman Avenue
drawbridge will operate at its regular
schedule until approximately 11:30pm.
At that point, the bridge will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic to allow
boat traffic on the Black River to pass.
This will take approximately 45 minutes
to an hour.
Can we drink alcohol?
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on
public property.
How do we get out of town once the display is over? Approximately 60
uniformed law enforcement officials will be posted at various intersections to facilitate
an orderly exodus from the event. Officers
ask that the public adhere to their
directions.
We hope you enjoy Light up the Lake 2014!
Your friends,
South Haven/Van Buren County
Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Tony Ferrari, Headliner of the Waterfront Film Festival's Opening
Night Beach Party Debuted New
Song "South Haven Girls!"
"South Haven Girls" was written upon
reflection of his time at the festival last
year. The California native's new music
video for the track was filmed
throughout the weekend and during
the outdoor live performance! Take a
listen here!
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South Haven Garden Club
Garden Walk!
July 12, 10am-4pm.
Tour beautiful local gardens
(rain or shine)! The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum will host refreshments as well as the Boutique where unique garden items
can be purchased. In addition, there is a
plant sale offering both annuals and
perennials. Tickets are $10 & can be
purchased at the South Haven Visitors
Bureau office (546 Phoenix Street).
www.southhavengardenclub.org
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56th Annual Summer Art Fair
Weekend in Stanley Johnston
Park!
 | | Photo by Jamie Garvison. |
July 5 & 6, 10am-5pm.
The South Haven Art Fair attracts crowds
of approximately 40,000 to beautiful
Stanley Johnston Park, just one
block away from Lake Michigan's sandy shores. The Art Fair is held every summer
in our coastal town of South Haven, known
for its many attractions, including its
picturesque downtown, pleasure boat
harbor, sandy beaches, farm market &
historic lighthouse. This year's 2 day fair promises to be the biggest & the best yet.
We welcome you to join us!
www.southhavenarts.org
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ArtQuest - Art Fun for Kids at
South Haven Center for the Arts!
June 17-August 22
Tuesdays through Fridays,
10:30am-1:30pm.
All kids will make a project that they get
to take home at the end of the day!
While they're here creating, treat yourself
to coffee, lunch, a good book... The
options are endless for both you and
your kids!
10:30am-Drop off begins
11am-Kids will start the project
12pm-Break for lunch! (Please pack or
drop off a lunch)
1:30pm-Pick up & see what they made!
Ages: Kindergarten-6th Grade.
$20 per kid or 5 session punch card for
$80. www.southhavenarts.org
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Beach Flow Yoga at South &
North Beaches!
 | | Photo by Jamie Garvison. |
Wednesdays (North), 9-10am,
Saturdays & Sundays (South), 8-9am.
60 minutes of summer, sunshine and sand. Experience an all levels flow class on
the beach. Class changes week to week.*If you have a mat or beach towel, please bring it. We have a limited number
of free towels and mats - they are on a
first come basis and go quickly - or you
can reserve your mat and/or spot today
by calling 616.264.8035 or emailing rootsyogis@gmail or on Facebook. Be
sure to wear sunscreen, a smile and
whatever attire you can comfortably move
in!These classes are "weather permitting" and
will be held indoors if weather does not
permit! $10.For more information, go to www.rootsyogi.com!
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Rhythm & Wine at St. Julian
Winery in Paw Paw!
Saturdays, 2-5pm.
Free! Every Saturday this Summer! Feel
the rhythm of live music while you sip on refreshing wine this summer! Wine by the
glass and snacks will be available for
purchase.
July 5: Bob Hausler Americana/Folk
July 12: Brocoustic Pop/ Folk Rock
July 19: Treading Bleu Indie
July 26: Big Boss Blue Blues
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YouTube Channel!
Be sure to check out our YouTube Channel & send us your favorite South Haven video footage!  | | Thanks Instagram friend @sherlockphoto for this shot! |
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