The virtually non-stop party that we call summer in Michigan’s Great Southwest has slated another stop for everyone to enjoy — and it’s clearly a crowd favorite from our friends at the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra.
Coming Friday and Saturday July 14th and 15th, the SMSO’s Music & Microbrews Summerfest 2017 will establish a beach head at the Shadowland Pavilion at Silver Beach in St. Joseph bringing two days of fantastic beer, delicious food and amazing entertainment, and it all happens rain or shine.
Friday’s party will run from 6pm to 10pm and Saturday’s extended party will run from 4 to 10pm and be capped off by a spectacular Lighted Boat Parade in the St. Joseph River Channel.
SummerFest Music & Microbrews is the perfect way to experience the region’s finest craft breweries and mouthwatering cuisine from area restaurants. Combine 18 breweries and over 70 different brews with live music set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Michigan, add the lighted boat parade and you have one amazing SummerFest Weekend!
Gates open on Friday at 6pm with the first act to take the stage is The Big Payback, taking center stage at 6:30 that night. The Big Payback is an award winning jazz-rock band featuring the soulful vocals of Leah Isabel Tirado and a smoking horn section. Mixing “ambitious original tunes that challenge even the most talented instrumentalists” (La Crosse Tribune) with classic covers, the band’s live show never fails to get the crowd moving. Nominated as one of Madison’s favorite “Dance Bands” by Isthmus readers in 2016, Payback is a party you won’t want to miss. https://www.bigpaybackmusic.com/.
On Saturday, the 15th, gates will open at 4pm with Top Secret Band taking the stage at 5pm. Top Secret brings you great dance music from the 60’s to now, with something for everybody. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/topsecretmusicians/
Bruce in the USA will take the stage at 7:30pm. Bruce In The USA is much more than just another tribute… This high-energy musical experience is a note-perfect and visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E St. Band show. http://www.bruceintheusa.com/.
Capping the night is the spectacular Lighted Boat Parade at 10pm, with the boats again parading in the St. Joseph River at the close of the Music & Microbrews event. The parade will be judged and prizes will be awarded, as presented by Pier 1000 Marina.
You will find a grand array of microbrews in the house at the Shadowland Pavilion including:
- Bell’s Brewery
- Boatyard Brewing Company
- Crane’s Cider
- Founder’s Brewing Company
- Grand Armory Brewing
- Greenbush Brewing
- Haymarket Brewery
- The Livery
- North Pier Brewing Company
- Perrin Brewing Company
- Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
- Rochester Mills Brewing Company
- Round Barn Brewing Company
- Saugatuck Brewing Company
- Short’s Brewing Company
- Silver Harbor Brewing Company
- Transient Artisan Ales
- Watermark Brewing Company
- Local Wines will also be featured…
Tickets for the Summerfest event are $25 in advance or $30 for the day of the event for Friday’s festivities and $35 in advance or $40 for day of the event for Saturday’s line up. All tickets are non-refundable, and the event will be held rain or shine.
You can get advance tickets online at www.smso.org or stop by any of the following ticket stops:
- The Liquor Locker at 3872 Red Arrow Hwy in St. Joseph
- Roosters Party Store at 1607 Lakeshore Dr in St Joseph
- St. Joseph Today’s Welcome Center at 301 State Street in St Joseph
- Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra offices at 513 Ship Street in St. Joseph
Drink tickets will be available at event. Bring a chair or blanket, but keep in mind that no alcohol or carry-ins will be allowed inasmuch as food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. All ages will be admitted, however, only 21 + will receive a wristband. You must have a valid ID in order to receive a wristband at the event.
The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra is only able to have these events with the support of the local community. While that support takes many forms, they are particularly grateful to FairmountSantrol, Liquor Locker, Siemans in Bridgman, TPC Technologies, Abonmarche and Mid-West Family Broadcasting for sponsoring this year’s Music & Microbrews – Summerfest 2017.
For more information, contact the Symphony office at 269-982-4030 or visit www.smso.org
