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Greetings!
Now is the time to make the most of summer while we can! Luckily, South Haven and Van Buren County have plenty of exciting events and activities going on throughout August. Make your last few weeks of summer the best of the year!
The 52nd Annual National Blueberry Festival will offer everything from 5k/10k Races, to blueberry pie eating contests, to live entertainment on the Black River! August offers outdoor entertainment daily! There will be Vintage Baseball games in local parks, yoga classes on beaches and in orchards, golf and sailing programs for the kids, fishing tournaments, our fabulous farm market, lake excursions on local tall ship, Friends Good Will, and MUCH more!
So before summer 2015 is over, call our office at 269.637.5252/800.SO.HAVEN to check on availability at our beautiful lodging properties! We'll help you find the perfect spot for your summer getaway.
Your friends,
South Haven/Van Buren County
Convention & Visitors Bureau
269.637.5252/1.800.SO.HAVEN
relax@southhaven.org
www.southhaven.org
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Photo by Instagram friend @timlargentsr. |
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Photo by Instagram friend @thedpc. |
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Photo by [bg] photography studios. |
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GET READY FOR THE 52ND ANNUAL
NATIONAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL!
August 6-9, 2015
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Photo by Instagram friend @esencia1931. |
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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. |
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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/10k Races and Rotary Club Fly-In, Classic Car Show and Pancake Breakfast at South Haven Regional Airport.
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Instagram friend @meganvictoria05 shares this photo of blueberry picking at Schemenauer Farm in Bangor! As of June 29 the farm has had Bluetta & Duke variety available for u-pick. Bushes are loaded! Happy picking!
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There's just no such thing as too much fun! This awesome photo was taken by Instagram friend @chicityfoodie
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Another beautiful Lake Michigan sunset captured by Instagram friend @Zyoung771!
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Lodging Specials and Packages!
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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!
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Riverfront Concert Series in Downtown South Haven
Each Thursday evening at 7pm, South Haven's Riverfront Park will host a variety of musical performances, including jazz, classical, folk and contemporary. Concerts are free to the public!
Nestled on the banks of the Black River and located just one block west of downtown South Haven, Riverfront Park provides an ideal setting for the concert series. The performances are next to the marina with seating along a gently sloping grassy hill. Concert-goers will enjoy views of boats traveling on the river, as well as fantastic sunsets over Lake Michigan.
The concerts will typically last an hour and a half. You may want to bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax on. A light coat may also be appropriate as gentle breezes coming off the lake are common. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held under the pavilion in the Huron Street parking lot.
Thursday Nights, 7pm.
Operation Injured Soldier - 4th Annual Salute to Veterans
Join us Saturday, August 22nd as South Haven and Operation Injured Soldiers team up for our 4th Annual Salute To Veterans! After a morning of fishing out on the lake with the South Haven Steelheaders, the boats will gather at the pier heads at 11:45am. The boat parade through the channel will begin at noon and we invite you to be there with your American Flag to honor and support our Disabled and Combat Veterans.
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Hospice at Home Wine & Beer Tasting on South Beach Bluff in South Haven
Community members are invited to "Toasting Hospice," the tenth-annual wine and beer tasting benefit for Hospice at Home, a Lakeland Health Affiliate. The event will take place on the property of Dan and Mary McNulty, along the South Beach bluff in South Haven.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy tastings from 14 different local wineries and breweries, complemented by heavy hors d'oeuvres from Phoenix Street Catering and Restaurant. Live music will be provided by Bagatini's Artistic Jazz, and a silent auction will feature 16 works donated by local artists. A professional photographer will also be on hand to take photos of guests in front of the backdrop of Lake Michigan and South Haven's lighthouse, with prints immediately available to take home. For the first year ever, valet parking will be available for the opportunity of donating.
To mark the tenth anniversary of this much-anticipated event, the festivities will include a number of other special touches honoring Hospice at Home, including a celebration cake.
All proceeds from this event benefit Hospice at Home and the South Haven Area Hospice Foundation. Tickets are $50 per person in advance, or $60 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased in person at Hospice at Home offices, the South Haven Visitors Bureau, or Wolverine Hardware. For tickets or more information, call 269.637.3825 or visit www.hospiceathomecares.org.
August 1, 6-9pm.
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South Beach Triathlons in Downtown South Haven
Crystal clear Lake Michigan, miles of beaches, and a picture perfect downtown make up this venue for one of the more breathtaking courses in Michigan. Hundreds of athletes from all over the Midwest will be racing in this triathlon season staple. Racers have an option to either do the Sprint or Olympic distance. They also will receive a top of the line event t-shirt, finishers medal (there will be medals for top finishers in different categories as well), custom swim cap, and access to the post event party.
August 29, 8am.
Win a Piece of Paradise! Get your tickets now!
Support Friends of the Blue Star Trail in the development of a 20-mile off-road trailway connecting communities along the lakeshore! The prize is a buildable residential property in Casco Township, Allegan County, Michigan. Access to approximately 1,400 ft. of beach is available by membership (annual dues $100). For complete details of the raffle go to:
www.PIECE-OF-PARADISE.org.
Buy your tickets today at the Saugatuck/Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau, South Haven/Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, or online. $100 per ticket. Drawing on September 7, 1pm.
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NEWS
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The Kal-Haven Trail is a 33.5 mile long linear multi-use trail that links Kalamazoo, a major southwest Michigan city, to South Haven, a Lake Michigan resort area. The trail starts in South Haven on North Bailey Avenue and ends in Kalamazoo on 10th Street. |
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State seeks input on historical towns,
landmarks along Kal-Haven Trail
Many people hike and bike the Kal-Haven Trail, but the Department of Natural Resources wants to add a new dimension to the recreational path.
The Michigan Historical Center, a division of the DNR, hopes to depict in some way the history of towns and landmarks that once were located along the trail.
The Historical Center, in conjunction with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, has scheduled a meeting to gather the public's recollections of historical events and landmarks that have occurred over the years along the trail, which extends from South Haven to Kalamazoo.
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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! |
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