Summer is HOT in Southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country

When it comes to exciting and unique events, nothing beats summer in Harbor Country – stretching from the Indiana/Michigan state line north 17 miles, along the Lake Michigan shoreline, through scenic countrysides and charming coastal villages.

APRIL 30-MAY 2
ART ATTACK
Enjoy a full palette of colorful activities featuring a weekend showcase of gallery receptions, artist’s demonstrations, exhibitions, theatre, music, wine tasting, open houses. Look for the Art Attack logo at the official participating locations. Details at: www.harborcountry.org/artattack

MAY 15-16
NEW BUFFALO SIDEWALK SALES
Stores throughout downtown New Buffalo will hold their annual sidewalk sales, offering the best deals in town. Browse through the selections at dozens of local shops, featuring the latest and greatest items for the summer season. www.newbuffalo.org

JUNE 11-13
THREE OAKS FLAG DAY CELEBRATION
Includes art in the park, games, food vendors, beer and brats, little league and men’s softball tournaments. Possibly the best piece of Americana anywhere, is the “World’s Largest Flag Day Parade,” along Elm Street 3 pm on Sunday. www.3oaks.org

JUNE 12
CELEBRATION OF HOME & GARDEN
Join us for a tour of splendid, professionally designed private homes and gardens in southwest Michigan. Spend a leisurely day in the country exploring exquisite homes and the spectacular work of the Midwest's acclaimed interior designers, architects, and horticultural enthusiasts. This spring tradition benefits the work of Heartland Alliance and its supportive and affordable housing programs that move individuals from harm to hope and into homes. Tickets are $100 each. www.homeandgardentour.com

JUNE 13-LABOR DAY WEEKEND (SATURDAYS, 6:30PM)
MUSIC IN THE PARK
This outdoor summer concert series at Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks, Michigan is a great family friendly summer tradition. Past performances have included the South Shore Concert Band, internationally known and award-winning Chicago Times senior quartet, as well as Billy Nicks and the Rhythm Rockers. So, bring your blankets and your friends for a relaxing Saturday evening concert in the park. www.HarborArts.com

JUNE 19 (1-10pm)
5th ANNUAL LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE WINE FESTIVAL
Picture this…you're relaxing with friends, enjoying a glass of wine while peering out over a vast white-sand beach at Lake Michigan's tranquil shoreline. As you sit back and take in the enchanting sounds of live music along with waves rolling gently into the beach, you raise your glass and 'toast the coast' with award-winning wines from Southwest Michigan, while a warm golden sun melts into the horizon. You've just imagined an actual scene from the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival, an unparalleled event, at Weko Beach in Bridgman. Admission to the festival is $10 for ages 21 and older and includes a souvenir wine tasting glass. Ages 13 to 20 are only $5 while 12 and under are FREE. www.miwinetrail.com/Our_Events.html

JUNE 26-27
WARREN DUNES KITE FEST
Stop on out to Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer for this awe-inspiring festival. Watch as the colorful kites dance across sky, high above the beach and the waters above Lake Michigan. This is a great family event to celebrate summer in Southwest Michigan. www.back2thewind.com

JULY 2
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
Begin your 4th of July holiday festivities with a day at the beach and a stroll through downtown New Buffalo, cap it off with a concert and fireworks. www.newbuffalo.org

JULY 10 (11am-5pm)
LAKESIDE GARDEN WALK
This year the Lakeside Garden Walk features eight unique garden designs in and around Harbor Country’s Lakeside, Michigan. Within short driving distances of each other (1 to 6 miles), participants will experience a range of delightful settings from expansive lake views to woodland cottage gardens, from country estates that contextually mirror their surroundings to sustainable vegetable gardens. The walk will include landscape designs by Craig Bergman and by Maria Smithburg. The Chikaming Township community organic gardening project will also be showcased. Admission is $35 in advance/$45 the day of. http://thelakesideassociation.org

JULY 30-AUGUST 30
HARBOR COUNTRY THEATER FESTIVAL
The New Buffalo Performing Arts Center is the venue for this month-long cultural celebration, with live performances by a professional stage cast. www.newbuffalo.org

AUGUST 13-15
26th ANNUAL SHIP & SHORE FESTIVAL
Sample locally produced micro-brews at the beer tents. Wines from nearby wineries are perfect complements to the mouth-watering dishes prepared by our own local restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines. Downtown New Buffalo comes alive with locally inspired arts, crafts, games, live music, and more. Kid-friendly events include watermelon eating contests, ice-cream eating contests, and games. A volleyball tournament, skim-boarding contest, and 5K run are also planned. Start either day with a visit to the New Buffalo Fire Department for their pancake and sausage breakfast. The festivities continue after dusk, with fireworks and the Lighted Boat Parade – where participants transform their pleasure boats, cruisers, and yachts into floating creations that you have to see to believe. www.newbuffalo.org

The Harbor Country Convention & Visitors Bureau was established in 1990 as the Harbor Country Lodging Association in accordance with the state of Michigan’s Community Convention or Tourism Marketing Act 59 of 1984.

The mission of the organization is “to promote its members and the assessment district as a major destination for tourism and conventions in southwest Michigan.” The assessment district encompasses the Townships of New Buffalo, Three Oaks, and Chikaming, the city of New Buffalo, the Village of Three Oaks and the Village of Michiana, Michigan.

www.VisitHarborCountry.com