Join New Buffalo Business Association for this Signature Event!

NEW BUFFALO, MI   -  The New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival began as a small arts and crafts fair 26 year ago.   Since then, it has evolved into an annual, three-day, signature event in downtown New Buffalo, located in Southwest Michigan.

Presented by Four Winds Casino and the New Buffalo Business Association, Ship & Shore Festival is a unique summertime tradition on Whittaker Street where the road is closed down to vehicles but opened to everyone in the community for arts, crafts, games, live music, and more! The event is perfect for the entire family, whereby kids will enjoy competing in the watermelon eating or ice-cream eating contests, getting face-paintings or playing carnival games. Parents can browse the artistry of local arts-and-craft vendors while sipping on varietals from Round Barn Winery and Free Run Cellars as they showcase mouthwatering micro-brews, sangria and regional wines. Food vendors will include a wide range of cuisines from Burgers to Greek to Bar-B-Que!

One of the most beloved family-favorite elements of the fest is the Lighted Boat Parade and fireworks display on Saturday evening where participants transform their floating pleasure boats, cruisers, and yachts into illuminated spectacles!  Immediately following the parade, Casey’s Bar and Grill is presenting a fireworks show over the lake that will absolutely light up the night sky.

With a suggested donation of only $5 for admission, even those on a budget can still come out and join the fun.  Music lineup & weekend activities below.

NEWS UPDATE: NOW ACCEPTING VENDOR APPLICATIONS
Choose your vendor type and download the applications: Click here for Food Vendor Application, or Non-Food Vendor Application.

Read more: SHIP & SHORE FEST SETS SAIL AUGUST 13-15

New Buffalo has a new Amtrak station.  The crowd of nearly 100 people had to wait a little longer than expected for the first train to arrive.  It pulled up to the platform around noon on Monday, a little over a half hour late.

The new station will offer service along the Blue Water and Wolverine lines.  The Blue Water offers non-stop service between New Buffalo and Union Station in Chicago.  That train continues East to Niles, Dowagiac, Kalamazoon, Battle creek, East Lansing, Durand, Flint, Lapeer, and Port Huron.  The Wolverine line connects Chicago and Detroit, and continues on to Pontiac.  Other stops along the Wolverine route are Hammond, Michigan City, Niles, Dowagiac, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Albion, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Detroit, Royal Oak, and Birmingham.

"It saves on gas. It saves on time since I can get work done on the train. It hopefully will be a lot more convenient than the South Shore Line," said passenger David Bante.

Read more: More train coverage!