Some folks get to take things one day at a time, but the busy, non-stop team at St. Joseph Today is constantly doing not only the work of today, but the work of the future. So, while the rest of us are getting ready to celebrate the Labor Day Weekend with all of the fun they’ve lined up…and they work the plan for that, they’re also working well into the future to make sure there are other great things for us to do down the road.
In fact, they tell me that everyone’s favorite fall activities are coming together as they gear up for September 22nd in downtown St. Joe. The weekend planned by St. Joseph Today includes a Fall Fest, Roots & Brews, and the City of St. Joseph’s Public Art Auction of the knights, dragons, and castle sculptures currently scattered across the landscape of the central business district and beyond. There is so much autumn fun planned that visitors will want to spend the night so they won’t miss any of the sunrise-to-sunset entertainment.
Here’s more on the featured weekend event:
Roots & Brews: This great event runs from 4 pm to 8 pm on Saturday, September 22nd, as St. Joseph Today invites everyone 21 years and older to celebrate fall in Southwest Michigan with their new premier tasting event. The event features regional craft brews, wines, cider, local cuisine, live music and front row views of the sunset. Admission is $35 and includes a tasting cup, 12 tokens, and live music. Music will be provided by the Niles-based band Elephant Rescue who will feature their New Orleans Swamp Funk and headliner Arizona-based band Jared & The Mill who will showcase their Western Indie Rock.
Featured breweries include:
- B. Nektar
- Founders Brewing Co.
- The Livery Microbrewery
- North Pier Brewery
- Peat’s Cider
- Round Barn Brewery
- Silver Harbor Brewing
- Sister Lakes Brewing Co.
- Tapistry Brewing
- Three Blondes Brewing
- Watermark Brewing
Featured wineries include:
- 12 Corners Winery
- Lazy Ballerina Winery
- Lake Michigan Vintners
- White Pine Winery
Food will be available for additional purchase from two local food trucks, Nosh Village and PotLuck.
Tickets are on sale now, for more information visit stjoetoday.com/rootsbrews. Sponsored by Vail Rubber, Paul & Rose Suchovsky Charitable Trust, and The Buck Burgers & Brew.
Additional Weekend Activities include:
- Sidewalk Sales: Enjoy Sidewalk Sales in downtown St. Joseph from 10am-6pm on Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22.
- Fall Fest: The Critter Barn brings rural living to the city featuring goats, rabbits, ducks and more animals from 11 am to 3 pm in Lake Bluff Park. Families can gather up freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats, cider and fall decorations at the downtown Farmers Market from 9 am to 2 pm along Lake Bluff Park. Story Time on the Bluff with Forever Books will also be along the bluff side-by-side with other activities including a face painter and balloon twisters from 11 am to 3 pm sponsored by MedExpress Urgent Care.
- City of St. Joseph Live Public Art Auction: Since mid-May, the City of St. Joseph has displayed The Magical Kingdom of St. Joseph featuring sculptures painted by regional artists. You can bid on your favorite brave knight, dragon or castle during the Public Art Auction. Returning this year for bidders who are unable to attend the live event to participate is a silent auction. To participate, bidders are asked to submit their contact information, the name of the art piece and the bid amount to smccallum@sjcity.com or awright@sjcity.com. The Silent Auction will end at 11:59 pm on September 21st. To snag a sculpture instantly, be the first to email an offer of $2,000 for the art you want to smccallum@sjcity.com by 11:59 pm September 21st. Include the name of the sculpture which can be found online at stjosephpublicart.com. A live auction will be held on September 22nd at the Roots & Brews grounds (corner of Lake Blvd. and Pleasant St.) at 2:30 pm. Professional auctioneer Jerry Glassman will manage the auction for these original works. Registration for paddle numbers runs from 4 to 6 pm. For more information, contact: Greg Grothous, ggrothous@sjcity.com 269.983.5541.
- The Great Pumpkin Festival: Presented by the Benton Harbor Sunshine Rotary, this fun-filled event includes pumpkin carving and decorating contests and culminates with the Great Pumpkin Race at 1:45 pm. Participants will cheer on a flotilla of mini numbered pumpkins dropped in a pool on site. The first five pumpkins to cross the finish line will win $1,000, $300, $200, $100 and $50. A $10 entry fee will benefit Benton Harbor youth programs. All tickets will be sold by 1:45 pm and entrants do not need to be present to win.
- For a full weekend of autumn fun, get things started on Friday, September 21st for the Sixth Annual Great Bed Race. Onlookers can cheer teams as they race bed frames to the finish line. This fundraiser benefits Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary youth programs and the Slumberland Furniture 40 Winks Foundation that provides mattresses and beds to children who need them.
For more information about Fall Fest, Roots & Brews or upcoming events, visit stjoetoday.com, facebook.com/stjoetoday, visit the Welcome Center or call 269-985-1111.