The third weekend of the month, June through September, celebrate all things Southwest Michigan (SWMI) during the Love Local weekends! This month attendees will enjoy the Lake Bluff Artisan Fair, the St. Joe Farmers Market, live music and other area events in addition to extended shopping hours and special offers throughout SWMI. Read on for a complete weekend guide!
Love Local is sponsored by Corewell Health, Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan and The Boulevard Inn & Bistro.
SWMI EVENTS
Groove to the sounds of jazz, big band, classic hits and more at John E.N. Howard Bandshell during the Friday Night Concert Series from 7:00p-8:00p. This week catch a special performance by the St. Joseph Municipal Jazz Band on Friday, August 18. Take in beautiful sunsets during these free concerts held weekly on Fridays, July 14-September 1. Sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro with support provided by: The John & Dede Howard Endowments held at the Berrien Community Foundation.
INSIDER TIP: There’s still time to catch a few
Wednesday Brown Bag Concert Series! Enjoy free weekly concerts
Wednesdays from 12:00p-1:00p at the John E.N. Howard Bandshell.
Find fresh finds at the St. Joe Farmers Market held weekly on Saturdays in Lake Bluff Park through October 14! This Saturday, August 19 the market will host extended hours from 9:00a-4:00p, in conjunction with the Lake Bluff Artisan Fair. Additionally, vendors will hand out a limited number of free market tote bags! Sponsored by BOSS Services.
INSIDER TIP: Head to the Wednesday Night Market from 4:00p-8:00p
on August 16 for our last tote bag day of the 2023 season! Vendors
will also hand out a limited number of free market tote bags!
The Lake Bluff Artisan Fair returns to Lake Bluff Park this Saturday, August 19 from 10:00p-5:00p! This eclectic craft fair, held in Lake Bluff Park, offers a variety of handcrafted goods. With over 50 vendors, there’s something for everyone - anything from home decor and furniture to jewelry, candles and more!
Head to the Krasl Art Center for their Summer Art Market on Saturday, August 19 from 10:00a-5:00p, in conjunction with the Lake Bluff Artisan Fair! Each month, this market features ten regional artists including one Emerging Artist.
INSIDER TIP: While at the KAC you can explore the galleries! 'The Art of Elizabeth Catlett' presents
a selection of the artist’s work from the collection of her student, fellow artist, educator, and
lifelong friend Samella Lewis. In The Lab, artist Theda Sandiford uses free-form weaving, coiling,
knotting, and jewelry-making techniques to mold fiber and found materials into large, bold forms
(both familiar and fantastical) like grocery carts, furniture, light fixtures, and tapestries.
Join Forever Clean Soap Works for some good clean fun! Stop in for Bath Bomb Painting, a great activity for all ages. How does it work? Pick a bath bomb and paint it with skin-safe colors and you’ll get to take it home the same day! Available Tuesday-Friday from 10:30a-5:00p and Saturday from 10:30a-3:00p.
Try some delicious treats from Butter, a Bespoke Bakeshop at their Pop-Up Shop hosted at The Collective’’s Rebel Cafe from 9:00a-2:00p on Friday, August 18!
Lazy Ballerina Winery hosts a Friday Night Pop-Up on Friday, August 18 from 5:00p-7:00p featuring Bake Effect and Kimy Battista!
Sister Lakes Brewing hosts the 2nd Annual Soap Box Derby this Saturday, August 19 from 3:00p-7:00p! This event benefits The Children’s Advocacy of Southwest Michigan.
SIDEWALK SALES
Enjoy 50% off at the Perennial Accents Bazaar sidewalk sale; complimentary gift wrapping; open late!
Grins of St. Joseph offers 40% off St. Joseph t-shirts and caps during the Sidewalk Sale + 40% off summer clothing inside the store, August 18-20!
Check out sidewalk sales, shoppers will enjoy 25%-70% off original prices, and free gift wrapping during Love Local weekend at Glik’s!
Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion hosts a Sidewalk Sale all weekend long, Friday-Sunday, where shoppers will enjoy up to 70% off of sale items! Stop by on Saturday from 11:00a-5:00p for Pop-up Shops featuring Maribel Boutique & WeBelieveCo with Christian apparel. Weekend Hours include Friday-Saturday from 11:00a-5:00p and Sunday from 12:00p-4:00p!
GREAT DEALS
House of Colour Southwest Michigan will offer a free gift with new bookings, plus 10% off all makeup sales! August Back-to-School specials are available! Stop by the St. Joe Today Welcome Center (301 State Street in downtown St. Joseph) and visit with House of Colour who will be onsite Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 from 1:30p-4:00p.
This weekend, in support of Love Local, Kingfisher Cocktails & Tacos will waive the Social District service charge! Stop in this weekend for some delicious food and enjoy $1 off draft beers and draft cocktails.
Wanderlust Outfitters will be expanding the brands included in their End of Season Clearance! Select styles and colors from brands such as Outdoor Research, Patagonia and KUHL will be discounted during the August Love Local weekend!
Treat yourself with a special offer from State Street Treats! Throughout Love Local Weekend shoppers will enjoy a free cone bag of popcorn with a purchase of $10 or more.
Doing a lot of home entertaining? Sectionals are a great way to provide seating for larger groups of people. Schroeder Furniture has a large selection of sectionals in stock and available for immediate delivery.
Third Coast Paddling offers kayak and paddleboard rentals now open daily until 7:00p EST (last rentals go out at 6:00p EST) at 5 locations, including Silver Beach County Park and the Paw Paw River. Reserve in advance online at thirdcoastpaddling.com.
INSIDER TIP: Warren Dunes State Park rental location ONLY – sandboard and sand sled rentals available!
Experience Warren Dunes in a whole new way by riding the dunes. Reserve in advance at
thirdcoastpaddling.com. Save 15% on your rentals – use promo code LOVELOCAL15 at check-out!
Additional shopping fun in and around St. Joe! CPR Dance: Inhale Movement is selling tickets to their upcoming performance, Exhale, at The GhostLight Theater on September 16; Forever Books is open late until 9:00p and shoppers will enjoy complimentary gift wrapping; Enjoy new fall merchandise at G&M Variety - weekend hours include Friday-Saturday 9:00a-9:00p and Sunday 10:00a-7:00p; Mention Love Local Weekend at White Pine Winery to receive 10% off four bottles of wine; Maxwell Boutique hosts extended hours and sales; Shoppers will enjoy free gift wrap with purchase at Oh My Darlings; Sample Olive Cart’s latest flavors and fun bites; St. Joe Community Taproom features a new Blackberry Peach Sangria Slushy made with fresh locally grown fruit; Enjoy package specials and 20% off retail at reVive Spa!
