Though the chill of December has tightly gripped Southwest Michigan already, our urge to go out and experience our area never falters. We want to mingle, and shop small businesses, and gawk at lights, and capture memories with friends and loved ones. This weekend you don’t have to travel far: you can do all of these things in Benton Harbor! Friday, December 10th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, visit the Arts District in Benton Harbor for the very first Holiday Hoppin’ Bazaar. The Benton Harbor Arts Association and local businesses have prepared to wow you with live music, food vendors, artist booths, and more.
Inspired by the Livery’s annual bazaar, the BHAA has planned a ‘Winter Art Hop Meets Artisan Market’, and it will span across ten local businesses in the Arts District. You can begin the evening at the Public Library for the annual tree lighting ceremony and pre-Hop fun at 4:30pm. There will be celebrity readers and live music before dark, and then watch the magic unfold as the tree in the Dwight P. Mitchell City Center is illuminated. At 5:00 pm, start your holiday shopping at the galleries and business downtown. The Anna Russo Studio and Richard Hunt Studio will be filled with wares and art pieces for the collector on your Christmas list. Children can also design and create their own postcard that will be put on display next year at ARS. The Citadel Oak Room will open at 6:00pm for visits and photos with Santa.
Thaw out at The Livery at any time during the bazaar, while the drinks are flowing and they have a full evening of live music scheduled. The Mike Struwin & Friends holiday show begins at 8:00 pm, and will be a grand conclusion to this long-awaited celebration. Be sure to dine at local restaurants like Ben’s Soft Pretzels and Man Hole Waffles, and join in the caroling! Thanks to the Benton Harbor Arts Association and all participating businesses and volunteers, this event is one you will add to your holiday traditions for years to come.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
