If you’re starting to get cabin fever as winter winds down, there’s no better way to gear up for spring than by attending “Mountainfilm on Tour” in Saugatuck, happening March 14-31. It’s the only place in Michigan—and one of a handful of select cities across the country—where you can see documentaries from an event touted as one of the “25 Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker magazine.

Now in its fifth year coming to the area, “Mountainfilm on Tour” is your opportunity to see award-winning documentaries that debuted at the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, CO. Organized by the Saugatuck Center for Arts (SCA), this festival is just one example of many cultural events the SCA brings to the community. 

Through documentary film, this unique, community-wide event aims to inspire audiences to create a better world. And while you’re getting inspired, you’ll also get a taste of the outdoor adventure you may have been missing during the colder months.

“When you go, the point is not just to have you sit in dark theaters all day, but to come to the town and really drink in the community,” says Kristin Armstrong, Executive Director of the SCA. “You have special community experiences that go along with the amazing stories told in the documentaries.”

It all starts with an opening-night event at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This includes art exhibitions, a feature film debut, and an after party featuring Colorado-based indie rock band, Wildermiss. Saturday is an entire day of film in the theater at the SCA. And to complement the films, which often focus on environmental issues or feats of outdoor athleticism, the SCA has organized a community scavenger hunt which can be enjoyed by all ages.

Many local businesses have special offers for festival attendees, including drink and appetizer specials at bars and restaurants, complimentary wine tastings in select galleries, and discounts at local retail establishments.

“What I love about March is that it feels like you’re having VIP experience in town,” says Armstrong. “You get all the charm of Saugatuck and Douglas without fighting the summertime crowds. And you get to see some very authentic, inspiring films.”