Market-goers will enjoy fresh finds at the weekly St. Joe Farmers Market. Vendors will offer a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more! This event is held Saturdays in the scenic Lake Bluff Park, overlooking Lake Michigan.

 
Please note that there will be special hours for the market on July 12 during the Krasl Art Fair - stay tuned for more details!

Participants may enjoy these free, one-hour interactive programs individually or as a three-part series. They are suitable for 6th grade students through high school as well as adult life-long learners. Younger participants are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

JUNE 14, 2025 
TIME: 10:00-11:00a  |  LOCATION: St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library

TOPIC: Does it count as a lighthouse?
Participants “vote” if a structure “should count” as a lighthouse while learning how experts define the difference between lights, harbor lights, lighthouses, light stations, beacons, active aids to navigation, and private aids to navigation. And let’s not forget about historic ruins! Spoiler alert: In the end, participants are challenged to begin a list counting the number of lighthouses they have visited.

JULY 12, 2025 
TIME: 10:00-11:00a  |  LOCATION: Box Factory for the Arts

TOPIC: Lighthouse Architecture
While Europe may have their castles, we have our lighthouses! See dozens of beautiful lighthouse photos and connect the language of lighthouses to their unique architecture and various components. Audience volunteers are given lighthouse “part” definitions which are then matched to the screen diagrams in a lively large group format. We will also discuss clever ways historic lighthouse parts work together to keep our lights lit atop their towers.

AUGUST 9, 2025 
TIME: 10:00-11:00a  |  LOCATION: Shadowland on Silver Beach

TOPIC: Lighthouse Navigation
Oils, lamps, lenses, characteristics, daymarks, and catwalks…What are all these things and how did yesterday’s keepers use them to help vessels navigate? (And do it without electricity!) The amazing innovation of range lights, including the pair on the St. Joseph North Pier, will be explored. The presentation includes a “dark and stormy night” simulation (no danger involved) where participants identify “their boat’s” location using only lighthouse beacons.

PRESENTER BIO
An avid lighthouse enthusiast for over two decades, Marie A. Blunt has seen over 500 lighthouses across the US and Canada. She travels with her photographer husband, Allan, incorporating his vibrant pictures into her presentations and publications. Among other hobbies Marie provides lighthouse programs through the United States Lighthouse Society Speakers Bureau featuring intriguing history, lively audience participation and a wee bit of wit. She is the author of The Lighthouse Primer and Lighthouses of Port Washington and has contributed several articles to the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s Keeper's Log. She serves as a volunteer docent at the St Joseph North Pier Inner Lighthouse. The Blunts live in Indiana, regrettably a state with only half a dozen lighthouses.

Allan and Marie A. Blunt outside the lantern room at Port Washington 1860
Light Station during their volunteer lighthouse keeper residency in 2024.

St. Joseph Lighthouse - Explore the North Pier's Inner and Outer Lights! 

2025 Season - Join us weekly on Saturdays, from 10:00a-7:00p, June 7 through August 30. 
Weather permitting - check the St. Joe Today Facebook page for the most current Lighthouse updates!

Go inside the North Pier Inner Light first-floor for free or buy a ticket to climb to the top. It's fun for all ages!

- Explore the free first-floor exhibits and dive into the rich nautical history of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor.
- Climb to the top for spectacular panoramic views ($5/person). 
- Stroll the pier to the Outer Lighthouse - a perfect spot for boat and sunset watching.

Tours and Presentations

- Enjoy a free, guided tour from the start of the North Pier to the Lighthouse. Tours will be held once every Saturday at 10:00a!
- Lighthouse Presentations - Participants may enjoy these free, one-hour interactive programs individually or as a three-part series. Held the second Saturday of the month, June-August, from 10:00a-11:00a.

June 14 - St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library
July 12 - Box Factory for the Arts
August 9 - Shadowland on Silver Beach

Parking
Tiscornia Park - 80 Ridgeway St., St. Joseph, MI 

Tickets

- Purchase in-person with CASH only at the lighthouse.
- Purchase in-person with cash or credit at the St. Joe Today Welcome Center - located at 301 State St., St. Joseph, MI

The third weekend of the month, May through September, celebrate all things Southwest Michigan during the Love Local weekends! Attendees will enjoy local events, extended shopping hours, events, special offers and more!

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY
      Extended shopping hours
      Weekend special throughout SWMI

SATURDAY
        St. Joe Farmers Market from 9:00a-2:00p in Lake Bluff Park
       Extended shopping hours
       Weekend specials throughout SWMI

SUNDAY
       Extended shopping hours
       Weekend specials throughout SWMI

JUNE PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS: TBA
(List will be updated regularly)

1232 Broad Street Mercantile - Special sales throughout the store. Register to win a $25 gift card!

Affinity Salon & Spa - 25% off Aveda, Eleven Australia and Kevin Murphy products, all weekend long!

Box Factory for the Arts - Free & open to the public - view the MAAC Gallery Exhibition on all three floors! 

FuzzyButz Pet Boutique & Bakery - Up to 30% off Select Merchandise!

Glik's - Additional 20% off men's and women's clearance and 25% off men's 1897 shorts!

Henna Design House - JUNE 20-21: Pop-Up in front of G&M Variety, all weekend long! Stop by and get a beautiful design that will last 1-2 weeks!

House of Colour - Southwest Michigan - FREE GIFT with new service bookings (color analysis, style analysis, makeup classes, personal shopping, wardrobe edits) & 10% off all makeup sales when you mention "love local".

KT's Rasoi - Summer vendor located on the corner of State & Pleasant in downtown St. Joe! Come by and enjoy our refreshing Mango Lassi, crispy Samosas, creamy Kulfi (Indian ice cream pops), and more delicious treats!

Lana's Boutique - 30% off all Regular-Priced Denim!

Lazy Ballerina Winery - June 20-22: Specials, free tastings of our 10th Anniversary special edition Seyval Blanc and Anniversary Bubbly, and a special bundle package of 10 year anniversary merch and products!

Lee & Birch - Racks outside and special discounts all weekend.

Local Pour - JUNE 20: Happy Hour from 5p-7p. JUNE 21: Karaoke from 6:30p-8:30p and Live Music from 4p-7p.

Olive Cart - Get 10% off when you mention Love Local Weekend!

South Bend Chocolate Cafe - Love Local Weekend Special: buy 1/2lb of bulk chocolate, get 1/2lb of chocolate covered pretzels; JUNE 20 & 21: Live music from 7p-9p.

St. Joe Community Taproom - Pride Themed Menu Items For All + Giveback & Support Opportunities! 

State Street Stuff - Sidewalk Sale; Free gift with purchase!

Stoke Riders - Visit us in the Welcome Center on Saturday! JUNE 20-22: Enjoy 20% off if you sign up for Surfing, Kiteboarding, Efoiling or Wingfoiling lessons and also offering 10% off all equipment & apparel at the Stoke Riders retail/online store located in Suite 331 in The Box Factory for the Arts.

The Acorn - JUNE 21: Cracker (American Rock Band), 8p. JUNE 22: Steve Earle Solo & Acoustic: Fifty Years of Songs and Stories (Singer-Songwriter), 8p.

The Christmas Tree Gift Shop - New summertime savory & dessert dips, grilling rubs & marinades and lemonade mixes—on sale, two for $10 Mix & Match! JUNE 20-21: Enjoy samples + register to win a $25 gift certificate!

Third Coast Paddling - The summer solstice is here — the sun’s out, the water’s warm, and there’s no better way to soak it all in than from a kayak or paddleboard. Come celebrate the start of summer with a little sunshine, freshwater spray, and a whole lot of fun. For the first weekend of summer only (June 20-22), take 15% off your rentals with promo code SUMMER15 at check-out. (Valid for online advance reservations only.)

Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion - JUNE 20: Sidewalk Sales - up to 80% off clearance items; Pop-Up vendors including Island Inspired Jewelry and webelieveco; Hours 10a-8p. JUNE 21: Sidewalk Sales; Pop-Up vendor webelieveco; Hours 10a-8p. JUNE 23: Sidewalk Sales; Pop-Up vendor webelieveco; Hours 12p-4p.

Zo's Mini Donuts - JUNE 20-22: Zo's Mini Donuts' Sunset Special, from 7p-10p! We're open late, so you can enjoy the freshest donuts in town. It's the perfect spot for family fun, pet friendly, great for date night, or just hanging out with friends, featuring games, great music, and awesome vibes. See you there!

Market-goers will enjoy fresh finds at the weekly St. Joe Farmers Market. Vendors will offer a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more! This event is held Saturdays in the scenic Lake Bluff Park, overlooking Lake Michigan.

 
Please note that there will be special hours for the market on July 12 during the Krasl Art Fair - stay tuned for more details!

There’s a lot to explore this holiday weekend in Michigan's Great Southwest! Honor those who have served our country during the Memorial Day Parade, support local farmers with the start of the 2025 St. Joe Farmers Market season, listen to live music hosted at area businesses, attend special events throughout SWMI and more! There’s a little something for everyone. Read on for a full weekend guide!

The third weekend of the month, May through September, celebrate all things Southwest Michigan (SWMI) during the Love Local weekends! This month attendees will enjoy a special events, delicious samples, and area events in addition to special offers throughout SWMI. Read on for a complete weekend guide! 

Love Local is sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro.

As we gear up for Spring, there’s a lot to explore in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Join us this weekend for March Mannequins, the Spring Artisan Fair, a Women’s Weekend, live music, theatre shows, creative workshops and so much more. Read on to make the most of this jam-packed March weekend!

Join us February 7-9 for the 2025 Ice Fest sponsored by Silver Beach Pizza to celebrate the winter season! It’s a weekend that brings frosty fun to downtown St. Joe. Enjoy professional Ice Carving, a Scavenger Hunt, Ice Interactives + more exciting events happening throughout SWMI!

The winter doesn’t slow things down in Michigan’s Great Southwest! This winter weekend brings a Chili Tour, St. Joe Winter Beer Fest, live music, trivia nights, arts and crafts workshops and more! Read below to check out all the awesome winter activities.