Celebrate Fall 2024 Saugatuck/Douglas-Style

Tap To The Beat

Catch the American roots jam band Dustbowl Revival at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on September 12. You won’t want to miss this outdoor concert featuring their joyful, booty-shaking soul songs and heartfelt folk-rock ballads.

Then, on September 28, also at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, experience the music of Fleetwood Mac with Rumours ATL, as they deliver electrifying renditions of the iconic band’s hits. Formed in 2014, this tribute band is renowned for their authentic recreation of Fleetwood Mac’s legendary live shows.

Fill Your Cup

If you’re in the mood for a locally crafted libation, look no further than the Saugatuck/Douglas area in the fall. Bring the whole family to the Annual Crane’s Cider Fest Celebration on Saturday, September 7, where everyone can enjoy food and desserts, ciders and wine, a pie-eating contest, live music, hayrides, and, of course, their fabulous corn maze. 

Microbrew fan? Visit Waypost Brewing Co. on Saturday, September 28, for a day of fall festivities on the farm during their Lagerfest 2024—honoring the light, golden beer beloved by many. Sample some of your old favorites from the cellar, and try new varieties yet to be released. Come for a pint and stay for the live music with The Bootstrap Boys.

Wine lovers should plan to attend the 4th Annual Nouveau Celebration at Modales on Saturday, November 23, to mark the end of the grape harvest season. Nouveau is a wine tradition that dates back to the early 1800s in Beaujolais, France, and Modales keeps the tradition alive with their own special twist on the celebration. Tickets sell out quickly, so don’t wait to purchase yours.

Take A Walk On The Art Side

On Saturday, September 14, in Wicks Park, Saugatuck will be holding an Art in the Park event, where artwork and fine crafts from local and regional artists will be featured alongside live Americana-style music. Take a stroll through all the booths and pick up something inspiring to bring home. Also, on Saturday, September 14, join us for Art in Douglas, hosted by The Button Gallery. This unique stroll will feature Douglas galleries as well as other downtown businesses as they share the art of cocktails, the art of furniture, the art of a smart appetizer…you get the idea. 

Visitors are invited to experience the creative process in action during the 35th Blue Coast Artists Annual Studio Tour. This free event takes place the weekend of October 5-6. See a piece of pottery form on the potter’s wheel, learn how a wood bowl is created on a lathe, watch a rock’s inner beauty appear through the lapidary craft, and experience trees coming alive through brushstrokes. These are just a few of the demonstrations that art lovers of all ages are sure to enjoy during this exciting event.

And not to be missed is the Annual Fall Gallery Stroll on October 12-13, where you can wander through galleries and studios featuring local, regional, and national artists. This is your opportunity to chat with the artists, watch live demos, enjoy live music, and sample delicious bites and refreshments while expanding your artistic horizons. Explore work in various mediums, including contemporary painting, found material sculpture, hand-blown glass, and pottery. This tour is also a great time to watch the leaves change colors as you stroll the beautiful streets of Saugatuck and Douglas.

Join the Party

Join us October 10-13 for Fennville’s Annual Goose Festival. Featuring carnival rides, games, live music, a parade, a 5K run, and more, this event is sure to be fun for the entire family. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from Salt of the Earth, Root Café, Pizza Quest and El Jaripeo, as well as tasty fare from local food trucks.

Stroll scenic Main Street in downtown Douglas and support local community groups at the annual Douglas Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 12. Explore vendors offering crafts, food, and unique displays that keep people returning year after year. You’ll enjoy entertainment from singers, bands, choral and dance groups, and variety shows throughout the day. 

If you’ve got big ideas for this year’s Halloween costume, you won’t want to miss the annual Halloween Parade for Adults in Douglas on Saturday, October 26. Leave the kiddos with a sitter, dress up in your Halloween finery, and line up for one of the most unique parades you will ever experience. Thousands of spectators from across the country come to watch the giant parade mascot, the Pumpkin King, rise from the ashes at 10 pm to get the party started!

Don’t Miss the Boat

A boat ride is an unforgettable way to view the changing red and gold leaves dotting the shoreline. Take your fall color tour on the Star of Saugatuck paddlewheel boat, which offers cruises down the Kalamazoo River on weekends through October. Enjoy stunning views of the beautiful fall landscape on the open upper deck or the enclosed lower deck, along with an offering of fine wines, domestic beers, and signature cocktails. On Saturday, September 21, and October 19, there will be a Wine on the Water themed cruise. Beer lovers will want to join on Saturday, October 12 for their Beer on the Boat themed cruise. 

Get Your Heart Pumping

Join us for our annual Mt. Baldhead Challenge, the Midwest’s Ultimate Multi-Terrain Race™, which takes place this year on Saturday, September 7. Two exciting and demanding courses have been carefully designed to showcase the beautiful and diverse landscapes of the Art Coast™ of Michigan. Each course will take you through twisted tree-covered trails, forested dunes, beautiful waterfront vistas, the friendly streets of Saugatuck/Douglas, and the summit of Mt. Baldhead. The 10K+ challenge is a 7-mile course perfect for runners of all levels who want to push themselves, while the Half Marathon challenge provides 13.1 miles of adventure through the trails and dunes. 

Bikers of all abilities are invited to join us on Saturday, September 14, for the 13th Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride. Enjoy a countryside bicycle tour, where participants can visit art studios, wineries, cider mills, family farms, and fruit orchards along the way, including Khnemu Studio, Fernwood 1891, Dawn Stafford’s Peachbelt Studio, The Vintage Bee Company, Brian J. Newton Fine Wood Turning, Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery, Waypost Brewing Co., Virtue Cider, and Summerhouse Lavender Farm.

Join us for The Vine Wine’d at Fenn Valley Winery on Saturday, October 5, for a scenic 5K or 1-mile tour through their beautiful vineyards and surrounding farm. Celebrate the 12th year of this annual event during the heart of the wine grape harvest, where the sights, smells, and tastes of the vineyards will envelop you. Enjoy live music, wine, cider, and food at the post-race party.

Bring your dog, kids, and friends for the Annual Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday, November 16. This fun run supports the Saugatuck Douglas Rotary Club and the Saugatuck Venetian Fest. Dress in your tutus, turkey costumes, feathers, and onesies for a chance to win a prize for the funniest, most spirited attire!

Catch A Flick

Celebrate independent film during the first annual Saugatuck Film Fest on Saturday, September 14, at the historic Saugatuck Women’s Club. Activities include screenings of short and feature-length film submissions, a prize-winning feature film, an artist Q&A, an awards presentation, and additional online screenings.

Join us for a showing of The Letter League on Thursday, October 17, at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This documentary spotlights artist Heather Spooner of Ampersand Lettering Lab, who created an adult pen pal program during the 2020 pandemic, and features the poignant and humorous stories of connection and humanity that came from it. Meet the artist, who will be on-site after the film.