They've been cranking out memorable summertime parties for more than three decades now, and the Harbor Country community of New Buffalo invites the rest of the world to continue that great tradition this weekend as they get ready to celebrate the 32nd Annual New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival from August 12th through the 14th.
Presented by the New Buffalo Business Association, the huge party kicks off Friday and will soldier through to Sunday evening with activities for virtually anyone and everyone regardless of age or area of interest. Essentially, if you're into fun, the Ship & Shore Festival is ready to put it in your glass, on your plate, or get you actively engage in it.
As has become the tradition for 32 years now, the main street of New Buffalo closes down to traffic, but opens wide to an arts and crafts marketplace, food, kids activities, great beer, wine and non-stop live music. At night, the shore springs to life with fireworks to light up the sky and your only entry fee is $5 for adults and kid under 12 are admitted free of charge.
The Ship & Shore Festival's official hours are Friday from 5pm until midnight, Saturday from 11am until midnight and Sunday from 11am until 7pm. However, inasmuch as the regular weekly hours of the New Buffalo Farmers Market fall on Thursday evenings, the party will get an early kick off with great fruit, produce and more from 4pm until 8pm on Thursday following by a Kick-Off Party at Casey's Bar & Grill at 136 N. Whitaker, from 8pm until midnight with live music, a cash bar, and food open to the public.
The first group to take to the festival stage on Friday evening is Delta Dave Snyder & the Decibels performing the blues starting at 5:30pm following the 5pm gate opener. Nick Lynch reports to the stage next at 7:30 with country music, and headliners 97Nine deliver their classic rock performance at 10pm.
Here's your schedule for Saturday, August 13th:
- 8am — Ship & Shore Shuffle 5k Run/Walk at the New Buffalo Beach Parking Lot
- 11am — Festival gates open
- 11am – 11:30am — The Magic of Zendor — kids & family magic show
- 12Noon — Bone Naked (Rock)
- 2:00pm — John Vermilye & Guests (Classic Rock)
- 4:00pm — The Newports (Blues)
- 6:00pm — Slim Gypsy Baggage (Rock, Pop, Classics)
- 8:00pm — Deja Vu Band (Dance/Pop)
- 10:00pm — Fireworks @ New Buffalo Beach
- 10:15pm — Headlining: Boy Ban Review (Dance/Pop)
- Festival grounds close at midnight
Sunday August 14th:
- 9am-noon — New Buffalo Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast @ Corner or Merchant & Harrison Streets
- 11am — Festival grounds open
- 12Noon — Hired Hands (Rock)
- 1:30pm — Derringer & Rye (Pop Country)
- 2:30pm — Ice Cream Eating Contest at the Main Stage
- 3:00pm — Chester Brown (Rock/Funk)
- 5:00pm — Mr. Blotto
- Festival closes at 7pm
Kids Activities will take place at the New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival all weekend long including:
- Kids Arcades & Games
- Zendor the Magician
- Face-Painting & Twisted Tattoos
- Bounce House & Obstacle Course
- Kona Ice of the Dunes — Serving tropical shaved ice from the most unique entertainment vehicle you'll ever see!
- Glow Works — Glow sticks and more
- Sunday's 2:30pm Ice Cream Eating Contest
Other activities during the Ship & Shore Festival time include Michigan's Largest Garage Sale along U.S. 12 which starts in New Buffalo and runs all the way to Detroit and beyond, Skips European Market on Red Arrow Highway from 9am until 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sponsors of the Ship & Shore Festival include Presenting Sponsor Four Winds Casino as well as Bud Distributing, Casey's of New Buffalo, Waya Rentals, Horizon Bank, New Buffalo Savings Bank, Blue Fish Vacation Rentals and Meridian Title.
Volunteers are always need to assure a smoothly running festival, so if you are inclined to spend some time helping out, please contact events@newbuffalo.org for either yourself or you and an organization you belong to are willing ot help.
The New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival takes place along North Whitaker Street in New Buffalo's central business district.
