South Haven's annual 4th of July Parade through downtown features local marching bands, pageant winners, patriotic floats, fire trucks, & lots of candy! Photo by Jamie Garvison.
July 2015
 




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 2015! 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 Friday, July 3rd. It will be followed by the Independence Day Parade
at 11am Saturday, plus the South Haven Art Fair on Saturday & Sunday! Keep the 4th of July celebrations going with Bangor's fireworks display beginning at dusk on Saturday, July 4! 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 $9 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?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 2015!

 

  

Your friends, 

  

South Haven/Van Buren County 

Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

269.637.5252/1.800.SO.HAVEN 
[email protected] 

www.southhaven.org 
  












GET READY FOR THE 52ND ANNUAL
NATIONAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL!
August 6-9, 2015

Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides will once again be offered at the National Blueberry Festival's South Haven Area Regional Airport Fly-In on August 9, 2015!
Photo by Jamie Garvison.

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 lighthouse and Lake Michigan.


Top events are a kids' blueberry pie eating contest, top-tier free evening entertainment throughout the festival, blueberry pancake breakfasts, Blueberry Festival Parade on Saturday, Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Downtown Sidewalk Sales, Blueberry Festival Cook Off, 5k Run/Walk and Rotary Club Fly-In, Classic Car Show and Pancake Breakfast at South Haven Regional Airport.

 

Visitor Photos!

MichiMonaMac Lakeshore Cottages are just steps away from their own private beach on Lake Michigan in South Haven! Rental information at southhavensunsets.com! Photo by Instagram friend @ferguslauren. Thanks for sharing!

Surfing Lake Michigan in South Haven! Photo shared by Instagram friend @timlargentsr.


Relax! Summer season has arrived in South Haven and Van Buren County! Thank you, Instagram friend @Brittbredemeyer for sharing your photo with us.
 



Lodging Specials and Packages!




From quaint B&B's to cozy cabins, and from modern hotels to waterfront resorts and vacation homes, visitors can find quality lodging to fit every taste and budget! Check out fabulous 
Specials & Packages here!

 

 

 

 

 

SAMPLING OF EVENTS

Paw Paw Days - Uncorks the Arts in Downtown Paw Paw!
 
The Paw Paw Days - Uncorks the Arts festival is a celebration of all the art opportunities in the greater Paw Paw area. 

Art is very important and we want to share that. Arts include beer & wine making, cars, dance, fine art, food, magic, music, oration, (including poetry, comedy, & storytelling) and theater.

We believe that arts and culture must be available for all people, hence the festival will be located downtown Paw Paw with expanded area from prior years!
 
July 17, 18 & 19. Times Vary.

Tall Ship Friends Good Will Fireworks Sail in South Haven!
 

Friends Good Will
Maiden Voyage 1811

Friends Good Will was built in Michigan at River Rouge in 1810 as a merchant vessel. In the summer of 1812, she was chartered by the federal government to take military supplies to Fort Dearborn, a small military and trading post at what is now Chicago.
 

She was returning with furs and skins when she was lured into the harbor of Mackinaw Island. The British, having taken the island just days before, were flying false colors above the fort ramparts. The British confiscated the vessel, cargo, and crew, renaming her Little Belt. She was armed, taken into service, and fought with the Royal Navy until September of 1813, when she was recaptured by United States Commodore Oliver Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie. Within an hour after the great guns fell silent, Commodore Perry mentioned her in his now famous dispatch, "We have met the enemy and they are ours: Two Ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop." That sloop was Friends Good Will.
 

Friends Good Will then served in the United States Navy, transporting General William Henry Harrison's troops across Lake Erie in the successful invasion of Southern Ontario. She was driven ashore in a storm south of Buffalo in December 1813. In early January 1814, during efforts to re-launch the ship, the British unceremoniously burned the once-proud vessel during a raid on Buffalo.
 
 Friends Good Will
Maiden Voyage 2004

On August 29, 2004 Friends Good Will departed from the shipyard of Scarano Boatbuilding, Inc. in Albany, New York for South Haven, Michigan.

 

July 3. Time to be announced.
 

Van Buren County Youth Fair at the Hartford Fairgrounds!

 

As the fair moves into the 21st Century, changes and improvements continue to be made.

 

This growth is the result of planning and leadership from the Fair Board and the work of countless volunteers and businesses from throughout the county, 4-H leaders and members, 4-H Horse Council members and parents, Small Market Animal Committee, Junior Livestock Producers Association members and directors, The Draft Horse Club, Farm Bureau members, Sheriff's Posse, and many others.

 

Together, they continue a tradition of preserving what was started more than 150 years ago by a group of people determined to promote the best of what Van Buren county has to offer through livestock and exhibits of all kinds, whether it be floral or garden, woodworking or baking.

  
July 20-25. Times Vary. 
NEWS


Water Safety & Rip Currents
 
   Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured-this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. 

   South Haven Area Emergency Services maintains the city's beach warning flags on a daily basis at the city's public bathing beaches. The organization maintains information on water safety and rip currents on the department's website. For rip current information, please click here.


Can you imagine the South Haven Pier without our famous lighthouse? It could happen.

Our century old South Haven lighthouse is in need of some major attention! It looks beautiful on the outside, of course, but on the inside it's a different story! Corrosion is threatening to destroy the base, seams, windows and stairs. It has been estimated that the cost of repairs to preserve our lighthouse for another 100 years will be $275,000. In 2012 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers handed ownership over to the Historical Association of South Haven who has recently made a separate committee to collect financial support for preservation efforts. Be sure to check out their website at www.southhavenlight.org and YouTube video to see how you can help!

Looking for more Van Buren County fun?  Want details on the events you just read about?
No problem!