Welcome to Up North, Close By...
Your monthly guide to all that the Ludington area has to offer for a weekend, a week or a lifetime.
Life Along the Sunset Port
Ludington is home to the largest fresh water salmon tournament in the U.S. -- the Gander Moutain Ludington Offshore Classic. Over 200 boats descend on our piece of the lakeshore July 17 - 20 to compete.
If you want to join in, there's still time to register. If you just want to see what it's all about, here's the deal: for you early birds, get out to Waterfront Park or Stearns Park in Ludington at 6:00 a.m. to see the spectacle of all those boats heading out. At about 10:00 a.m., boats start coming back for the official weigh-in. Each day's tournament ends at 2:00 p.m., so hang around, keep nourished and hydrated with offerings from vendors, and just enjoy the action. Friday is the Women's and Kid's tournaments and Saturday and Sunday are the Pro-AM events.
This same weekend kicks off Friday Night Live in downtown Ludington, a street party for the whole family with live music, food, and fun.
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Llamas and elephants and pigs, oh my! You'll be able to see these and hundreds of other animals up close and personal at the West Michigan Fair, which runs from July 22 - 26. The award winning fair, which has been going strong for 70 years, welcomes back Laura the Elephant for her second year. You’re bound to find something for everyone in your clan – fans of 4-H, harness racing, floriculture, domestic arts, crafts, and more. If you want something a bit more raucous, the carnival and the demolition derby will keep you entertained for hours. New this year, country/western musician DeWayne Spaw entertains the crowds who show up early for the Demolition Derby on Saturday night starting at 6:00 p.m. Once the fair is over, things don’t stop at the fairgrounds; the band of loyal volunteers of the West Michigan Fairgrounds Association keeps things hopping with events throughout the year. Coming up August 23 is the Zion Music Festival.
Inland Adventures
West Michigan Old Engine Club Show
July 31-August 3
Over in Scottville, you’ll find a different kind of antique show…the engine kind…where you’ll see lots of them lovingly preserved and still flexing their muscles in events like the 1955 & older tractor pull. There’s a kid’s pedal pull too. Besides watching the engines in action, you can shop the flea market and yard sale, get some good eats at the pig roast, and listen to live music at the daily stage.
Discover Hamlin Lake by Boat! – Take to this 5,000-acre, man-made lake on a pontoon. Everyone in your family (even the dog!) can fit on these gentle giants and they’re easy to maneuver in the expansive lake. Swim off the boat in your favorite spot, have a picnic at the dunes, and if you want to kick it up a notch, make sure you rent a tube. Why? So you can tie it on the back of the pontoon and give everyone a chance to surf the easy way in the wake of your boat.
We ran into Chicagoan resident, Greg and his daughter Bonnie just coming in off the lake on their rented pontoon. Since they discovered Hamlin Lake a few years ago, they’ve been regulars during the summer. This trip, Bonnie brought three friends to introduce them to pleasures of the lake. Asked what their favorite part of the four-hour trip on the pontoon was? Tubing, of course.
In case you’re wondering how we happen to have this huge lake right next to Lake Michigan, back in the lumbering boom of the late 1800’s, lumberman dammed the Big Sable River to make an enormous holding pond for trees. That pond became Hamlin Lake. So, when you’re pontooning through its clear waters, watch out for stumps from the old trees in the shallower areas.
What's New
See the sights and leave the driving to
Beachology 101, the new van tour service leaving from downtown Ludington. The 90-minute tour covers the Lake Michigan coast north to the entrance of Ludington State Park and south to the Buttersville Peninsula. You’ll come away with a sampling of the history of our area, a few good bits of trivia (giant beavers once roamed here and there is a hidden creek in downtown Ludington), and hopefully, a thirst to explore the area on your own!
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Things might look a little greener around the Holiday Inn Express in Ludington these days. That’s because they have just been certified a GREEN LODGING MICHIGAN partner by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. What makes the difference? Well, the hotel has done some things to use more local products and use less water, packaging, and energy.
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Stay at the Ludington House Bed and Breakfast and save $25 on gas! Here’s how: stay two nights before August 31 and you’ll get a $25 Shell Gas Card. Find out more about specials at other area accommodations.
What's Happening in Arts and Culture
Here are highlights of arts and cultural events coming up in our area. Our events calendar has more details on these and other events.
July 10-August 10
“Sudan: The Cost of Silence”
Ludingtonian Ryan Spencer Reed has documented the tragedy in the Sudan in a series of stunning photographs on exhibit at the Todd & Brad Reed Gallery in downtown Ludington. On July 25 at 5:30, Ryan will be at the gallery signing a book with these. Sponsored by the Ludington Area Arts Council.
July 19, 2008
New Reformation Classic Dixieland Jazz Band
Get ready for the joyful noise of the New Reformation Band (NRB for those in the know). The band has been lifting spirits and keeping toes tapping for over 34 years in thousands of performances worldwide. The band was founded in 1970 by the Oppermann Brothers and Rev. Gary Miller for a single performance at Saginaw's First Congregational Church. Today, it is recognized as one of the country's leading classic jazz groups and has appeared all over the U.S., as well as in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.
At West Shore Community College’s Center Stage Theatre.
August 9
Scottville Main Street Music Festival
The focus of this spanking new, one-day event is on local talent and we’ve got lots of it. From Scottville’s own clown band to jazz fiddle to Edgar Struble to Christian rock and more, the music will be flowing from 10:30 in the morning to late into the evening on Main Street.
August 9 & 10
25th Annual Gold Coast Arts & Crafts Fair
If you’re looking for something made in Michigan, you’ll find it here. Over 100 crafters and artists from all over the state (and a few from other states too!) display their wares at Ludington City Park. And, if you’re looking for Ludington-made, be sure and keep an eye out for glass blower Jud Scott from Melting Sands Studio; photographers Todd and Brad Reed, Jeff Kiessel, and Nancy Smith; and soap-maker and embroidery queen Barb Fisher.
Kids' Corner
If camping, hiking, biking, tubing, paddle boating, and swimming aren’t enough to keep your kids occupied, then how about a free kite-making workshop at Ludington State Park. It’s offered on the following Mondays at 7:00 p.m. - July 28 and August 11 and 25 -- at the lower level of the Lake Michigan Beach House. The State Park offers a variety of programs for the whole family, including a tour of the night sky, S.S. Badger Sunset Watch, and walks to the Lighthouse. Contact the State Park (231-843-2423) for more information.
Need more ideas? No problem. Check out Friday Night Live and Movies in the Park in downtown Ludington, White Pine Village, Amber Elk Ranch, Indian Ridge Stables, Sandcastles Childrens’ Museum, and Mac Wood’s Dune Rides. (Link to the CVB listings for each of these.
We're At The Heart of Michigan's Great Outdoors!
Within an hour’s drive of our area are many, many more things to do and see if you’re coming this way. Here are two of them:
July 23-July 27
52nd Annual Troutarama, Baldwin Parade, carnival, youth fishing Derby, the DARE care show, and entertainment tent.
August 2
Idlewild Jazz Festival
Grammy Award-winning trombonist Robin Eubanks headlines this daylong festival, which also includes the Dan Cray Trio, Eric Alexander, In the Pocket, and Shahida Nurullah.
To find out more about these and other events nearby us, check out Michigan’s Great Outdoors.
More to Look Forward To...
- August 7, 14, 21, 28 – Movies in the Park in Ludington
- August 16 – M.A.D. Bike Ride
- August 24 – Lighthouse Triathalon
- August 25 - Gallery Tour in Downtown Ludington
- August 26 – Mason County Central Jazz Band
- August 31 – Tear Drop Bass Tournament Trail
- And, in Scottville, the Farmers’ Market is every Saturday morning and there’s free, live music on Tuesday evenings at the Optimists’ Club.
For more information on these and other events coming up by month, check out our
calendar.
Take It From Me: An Insider's Tip
On a summer afternoon or evening, there’s nothing like taking a drive up to Bortell’s Fisheries in Summit Township. Get a plate of freshly fried fish and take it across the street to Summit Park for a picnic with a spectacular view overlooking Lake Michigan. Then, work off your meal with a swim or a leisurely walk on the beach.
Do you have an insider’s tip for something you love in our area that those visiting for the first time might not know about? Let us know and we’ll share it in an upcoming newsletter.
