Southwest Michigan is celebrating its August Love Local Weekend, but it’s not just the locals who get to feel the love. Featuring extended shopping hours, live music, markets on the bluff, and special menu items, Love Local is a celebration for tourists and locals alike.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
The Berrien County Youth Fair is underway, and this weekend is full of special performances as they wrap up for the year. Spectators will enjoy live music, Demolition Derbies, Bullmaina, delicious fair food, rides and so much more! Visit bcyf.us for a complete schedule.
Go on a water adventure this weekend with Blue Water Boat Rentals! Mention St. Joe Today Loce Local and receive 20% off your boat rental this weekend.
Shoppers at The Christmas Tree will enjoy 20% off all gourmet food items purchased from their “Room of Good Things to Eat”, samples of new items each day and a chance to win a Gourmet Gift Basket! Hours include Friday from 10:00a-5:30p and Saturday from 10:00a-4:00p.
INSIDER TIP: For more deals, head to Wanderlust Outfitters all
weekend long to explore their end of summer clearance sale!
Select brands and styles up to 50% off, including The North
Face, KUHL and Patagonia.
Don’t miss The GhostLight’s latest production, Violet, set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. Showtimes include Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30p and Sundays at 3:00p, August 18-28.
As part of St. Joe Today’s Friday Night Concert Series, stop by the John E.N. Howard Bandshell at 7:00p to see a free, one-hour-long live performance by St. Joe Jack and The Good Time Co.
When it comes to fresh eats and drinks, Southwest Michigan is bringing their A-game. Lazy Ballerina Winery will be hosting a Friday Night Pop Up from 5:00p-7:00p featuring Petals and Pours and The Cheese Lady (special Love Local Weekend promotion - take a picture in front of St. Joe Today & receive a free flight of cheese). Olive Cart has a special promotion of free pasta with purchases over 40$ (all you have to do is mention Love Local!). White Pine Winery is releasing new wines on top of 10% off 4 bottles or more of wine.
Also, stop by Forever Books, open until 9:00p on Fridays this summer! Get a new book, and get ideas for your “to-read” book lists. This isn’t the only store featuring extended hours, Grins of St. Joseph and Waterfront Framing & Design (as well as a $500 value giveaway basket) are also available for extended hours throughout the weekend.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
Stop to get some fresh eats at the St. Joe Farmers Market, running from 9:00a-5:00p (extended hours) in Lake Bluff Park. Market-goers will find a variety of products including baked goods, locally grown produce, perennials and cut flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more! To celebrate Love Local, the Farmers Market will be featuring extended hours and free tote bags, first-come-first-served.
INSIDER TIP: If you can’t catch it this weekend due to all the
festivities, no problem! The Farmers Market is every
Saturday until October 8.
It’s hard to find art as affordable and beautiful as this! The Lake Bluff Artisan Fair is returning to Lake Bluff Park from 10:00a-5:00p. Peruse the many arts and crafts from local artisans and snag a one-of-a-kind find!
INSIDER TIP: Check out the August Summer Art Market on the Green
at Krasl Art Center from 10:00a-5:00p in conjunction with the
Lake Bluff Artisan Fair!
Tranquility and relaxation are the best perfect way to start any day. To guarantee you achieve your morning zen, come to Yoga & Yolks Gentle Yoga and Breakfast hosted by The Culinary Cottage from 9:00a-10:30a. This weekly class includes a delicious healthy breakfast buffet at the end.
St. Joe Today hosts three businesses in the Welcome Center on Saturday! Storage of America will give potions of tenants rent to Feeding America and Operation Smiles from 12:00p-3:00p; the Benton Harbor Rotary will be selling tickets to the Great Pumpkin Raffle (event on September 17) from 12:00p-4:00p; and CPR Dance: Inhale Movement will share information about their upcoming events, classes from 12:00p-4:00p, and is offering a special 20% discount on tickets, just use the promo code Save20, all weekend long!
The City Of St. Joseph, as part of their Summer Movie Series, is hosting a viewing of Sing 2! Held at Milton Park, this showing starts at 7:30p and is entirely free to the public.
INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss the City of St. Joseph Municipal Band Concert
on Sunday, July 17 at 7:00p! This free concert will be held at the
John E.N. Howard Bandshell. Visit sjcity.com/band for a full schedule!
The music never stops in St. Joe, especially not during the Lake Breeze Music Festival at The Mendel Center (please note the location change, do to possible inclement weather), stop by at any time on Saturday to groove along. Featuring live music from The Andrew Fisher Quartet, Cameron Stokes, Meagan McNeal and Tim Cunningham.
Southwestern Michigan has a wonderful taste in art, and our various art galleries and stores feature amazing deals during Love Local. Box Factory For The Arts has all their galleries open during the weekend, as well as their Quilter’s Quilt Show. is holding a Looking to get a little creative? Forever Clean Soap Works offers Bath Bom Painting daily in-store!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
Find your new favorite wine at the St. Joe Wine Shoppe! Every Sunday, they open three different styles of wine during Wine Sample Sundays from 1:00p-5:00p!
The YMCA of Greater Michiana is hosting Yoga on Tap in partnership with The Livery from 12:30p-1:30p. Doors open at 12:00p; ages 13+ welcome; $25/participant.
St. Joe Community Taproom is offering a final chance discount on Summer merchandise and a sneak peek of Fall/Winter merchandise!
INSIDER TIP: All weekend long those 21+ can enjoy the Downtown District,
sponsored by Sturgis Bank, for more information visit
stjoetoday.com/socialdistrict.
Learn to surf with Third Coast Surf Shop! Beginner surfing lessons are available on Saturdays and Sundays, book online today! Shoppers in-store will enjoy big markdowns this weekend on swimwear, skimboards and beach gear. New fall arrivals from Patagonia, Goodr, Billabong Roxy and more.
Get adventurous with Third Coast Paddling! Their five (5) locations are open daily until 7:00p for kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Enjoy a special offer at the Warren Dune State Park location only, sandboard and sand sled rentals! Reserve online - use promo code LOVELOCAL15 and save 15% off your rentals this weekend!
When it comes to sales, Southwestern Michigan businesses are bringing the heat! G&M Variety has 10% off Melissa and Doug. Gliks will be hosting giveaways, free gift wrapping, and tons of new clothing apparel. Perennial Accents has a sidewalk sale on top of complimentary gift wrapping, Wolf’s Marine is giving 10% off Sperry Shoes - just mention St. Joe Today!
