The Big Event: South Haven Harborfest

If the weird weather has kept you away from the beach so far this year, this weekend may be the time to change that.

For the Harborfest Celebration in South Haven, June 16 through June 19, so far the weather reports are all for normal summer weather with sunny skies and highs in the mid-80s in the forecast.

So what is Harborfest about? One of the highlights, each year is the Dragon Boat races. The team paddling sport from China that is at least 2,500 years old is enjoying a resurgence in the United States.

In the South Haven event, teams of 10 people compete at different levels. Some competitors paddle just for fun and others are among the top racing teams in the sport. Teams and their boats hit the water Saturday.

Other Harborfest events include a Craft Fair and Food Fest and other activities aimed at families.

This year the Mainstage will feature at least 20 different bands performing over the four day festival. Finalists in a “Got Talent” competition will perform Thursday and the winner will perform Saturday.

And an Artique Show will be downtown on Eagle Street. No, that’s not a typo. There will be antiques on the north side of Eagle Street and arts on the south side. Stained glass artists, jewelers, makers of custom guitars and lamps are among those who will have booths demonstrating their art. Antique dealers are expected to have primitives, garden furniture and more.

Harborfest events are free. South Haven merchants and businesses cover up to 80 percent of the festival’s expenses.

Lisa Shanley, of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, says this year is special for South Haven’s Harborfest because it is the 20th anniversary of the event and that the city has been a summer resort since the era of the steamship in 1900. “Today South Haven continues to celebrate our maritime history with historical resorts,” she says, “and one-of-a- kind attractions like the Michigan Maritime Museum and the Tall Ship Friends Good Will.”

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Sources: Lisa Shanley, South Haven / Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, South Haven Harbor Fest