Spring is quickly giving way to summer heat and bringing exciting outdoor adventures along the lakeshore. Grab your sunscreen and beach gear and get ready for a fun-filled May! Spend time on the water, explore outdoor festivals, and celebrate Memorial Day during the exciting sunny season along the Lake Michigan shoreline! Here’s a closer look at the May calendar of events and some other spring-themed activities across the West Michigan lakeshore:

Scott Club Flower Sale | South Haven 
On Friday, May 14th and Saturday, 15th, visit the Scott’s Club in South Haven to purchase beautiful flowers and plants that are sure to brighten up your yard. The sale takes place on Friday, May 14th beginning at 9 am and ending at 5 pm, and reopens at 9 am Saturday, May 15th until noon. All of the proceeds from the sale will be used to maintain the historic location of the Scott Club and help aid in their various club programs.

SWMLC Team Birdathon | Benton Harbor
What could be more entertaining than grown adults waking up early to hunt down some exotic birds while also raising money for a great cause? If that sounds like a great time to you, then make sure to check out the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s (SWMLC) annual Birdathon on Saturday, May 15th at the Sarett Nature Center. This fun-filled event is a great way to not only learn about various bird species like yellow warblers, swamp sparrows, green herons, wood ducks and more, it’s also an excellent opportunity to get involved with a local cause. The SWMLC organization runs this annual fundraising event every year to help fund various projects throughout Southwest Michigan. This year, the funds being raised will help build a wetland boardwalk at the SWMLC preserve in Kalamazoo called Bow in the Clouds. Learn more about the event or place a donation by clicking here! 

Art on Center | Downtown Douglas
Enjoy an evening of fine art during a leisurely stroll on Center Street in downtown Douglas! Browse through collections of art at Button Gallery, Water Street Gallery, Mixed Media Gallery, LebenArt Gallery, Mr. Miller’s Art Emporium, and Krista Reuter Studio on Saturday, May 22nd from 12 pm to 5 pm! Admission is free, all you need to do is drop by each gallery and enjoy!

Blessing of the Fleet | South Haven 
Are you ready for a summer on the water? So is the Michigan Maritime Museum of South Haven! Join the museum and other patrons to celebrate the beginning of the 2021 summer sailing season with a blessing of Friends Good Will, Museum vessels, and other South Haven harbor boats. The blessing will take place on Friday, May 28th at 6 pm and is followed by the kick-off fish fry in the heart of South Haven’s Maritime District (Michigan Maritime Museum).

St. Joseph Farmers Market | St. Joseph 
Starting on Saturday, May 29th at 9 am, the St. Joseph Farmers Market will officially open for business. Every Saturday, residents can head over to the scenic Lake Bluff Park to shop tons of local vendors, while also taking in the views of Lake Michigan. No matter what weekend you choose to attend, customers are sure to find fresh produce, homemade goods, flowers, meats and cheeses, coffee and more! Admissions is free and you can find directions to the market by clicking here!

Memorial Day Parade | Downtown Saugatuck and Douglas
Twice the parades, twice the fun! What could be better than celebrating Memorial day at the lakeshore with TWO parades? The first parade begins Monday, May 31st at 9 am in Saugatuck and will start at Culver Street, then proceed to Butler Street and finish at Village Square. If you can’t catch the first parade (or are craving more fun), you can head over to downtown Douglas on Monday, May 31st at 10 am to watch the parade again. The second parade route begins at Lake Vista SuperValu and will head down Center Street and end at Beery Field. You can learn more about both parades by clicking here!

If you’re looking for more fun activities to do across West Michigan this May, don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly calendar of events here.

Don’t want to drive back home after a long day of fun? Our vacation rentals are perfect for a short visit to the lakeshore! Check out our vacation rental website here to check available dates and book your next trip to the lakeshore!

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