As a kick-off to the tour weekend, New Holland Brewing Company co-owner and Beervangelist Fred Bueltmann will share insights about the culture of beer, food and entertaining from his new book, Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy. The free program will take place on Thursday, October 18 from 7-8pm at the Old Mill Place, 717 E. Bridge Street in Plainwell (above the Old Mill Brewpub on the east end of town).
“Arts and Eats is becoming the go-to getaway mid-October weekend event for travelers and locals alike,” says event co-founder Ginger Hentz and District 13 Coordinator - Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. “People travel with their friends, families take their kids to the farms to pet the animals and everyone has a good time learning about the area’s rich agricultural and arts communities, which are economic drivers to our local economy. Plus it is hard to beat a drive down a quiet, rural road when the trees are decked out in their full autumn regalia.”
Participants on the tour are encouraged to request an “Arts and Eats Passport” from any of the sites they visit. By collecting just six stamps, tour-goers can be entered to win one of dozens of great prizes donated by the artists, farmers and eateries. The more passports filled, the more chances to win.
ARTS: Visit galleries, studios and central venues to watch local painters, potters, photographers, sculptors and other artisans in action. Some farms – those that raise fiber-producing animals like alpacas and sheep – provide additional touring opportunities. Works are available for sale as well.
EATS: Explore farms where produce is grown, livestock is raised and artisanal foods are made. Then, stop by area farm/field-to-table restaurants to savor the bounty of the season. Participating restaurants feature special menu items using local products, with chefs using their creative culinary talents to pull together some fabulous menu items for the event.
In addition to the individual tour stops, four “Central Venues” are set up to house additional artist and serve as information stations for visitors. These locations include Gilmore Car Museum, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Hasting Fourth Annual Downtown Sculpture Exhibit and Bay Pointe Inn (Arts and Eats Headquarters).
The Interactive Public Art is a returning special event during the tour weekend. Aspiring artists and tour travelers can leave their mark on this year’s event by helping fill up two large canvases through a joint artistic expression. Stop by to paint in Plainwell at the Fannie Pell Park on Saturday, October 19 or the Gilmore car Museum on Sunday, October 20 (10am to 3pm each day). Both completed works of art will be given to the tour, so everyone may enjoy them for years to come.
New this year is “A Taste of Arts and Eats Wine & Cheese Bus Tour” presented by the Thornapple Arts Council. Here, visitors can board a bus and tour select stops along the tour route, while enjoying wine from Glass Creek Winery and cheese from local producers. The bus leaves downtown Hastings on Saturday at noon, returning at 6pm. The cost is $25 per person; space is limited and reservations are required. For more information on this tour option, or to reserve a seat, call 269-945-2002.
Planning partners: Allegan County Tourist Council, Barry County Tourism Council, Gilmore Car Museum, Hastings Public Library, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Promote Michigan, Thornapple Arts Council and Wayland Downtown.
2013 Sponsors: Barry Community Foundation, Downtown Hastings, Gun Lake Casino, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company, J-Ad Graphics, Michigan Rural Council, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, Potawatomi Resource Conservation & Development Council, West Michigan Tourist Association and Wind Walker Ranch.
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