The cities, towns and rural communities situated along the Indiana-Michigan border share a deep-rooted agricultural heritage, a can-do Midwestern spirit and, in parts, an enchanting Lake Michigan coastline. And when it comes to celebrations in this corner of America's heartland, these communities find unique ways to salute the beauty and traditions that define what they are all about.
One of Indiana's largest festivals, Elkhart County's Nappanee Apple Festival, held in downtown Nappanee, welcomes tens of thousands of people to a family-friendly celebration every third weekend in September. A seven-foot apple pie along with pie eating, apple peeling and apple baking contests celebrate this versatile fruit. A multitude of food vendors serving apple fritters, dumplings, turnovers and cider are also on hand to feed the crowds. Two entertainment stages, more than 100 craft vendors, carnival rides, a parade and tractor pulls round out this hometown celebration. Since 1906, the folks of St. Joseph in Berrien County, Michigan have marked the start of the growing season with May's Blossomtime Festival. Events include pageants to select festival royalty, a Blessing of the Blossoms, the Run for the Buds 5K walk and run, the Shoe Box Float Parade, a youth parade and the Grand Floral Parade. The Grand Floral Parade, with its 125 entries, proceeds through the streets of downtown St. Joseph and into neighboring Benton Harbor.
Lake Michigan provides a scenic backdrop for the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Lakefront Art Festival at Michigan City, Indiana's Washington Park. For more than 30 years, the fine arts festival has showcased the work of artists from around the country. Art demonstrations, children's activities and a beachfront food court are just a sampling of what's to be had at this August weekend event. Communities along the Lake Michigan coast stretching from the Indiana-Michigan border northward to Sawyer play host to the annual Art Attack. Billed as the most eclectic art celebration in the Midwest, this weekend event, held in April, includes gallery receptions, exhibits, art demonstrations, theater and musical performances. Shops, galleries and restaurants in the towns of Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Three Oaks and Sawyer all join in the festivities.
Dating back to 1845, the LaPorte County Fair, held in the community of LaPorte, is Indiana's oldest. The July event is packed with activities, including stage shows, horse racing, carnival rides, commercial vendors and 4-H exhibits. In addition, Pioneerland historic village, located on the fair grounds, opens its 12 heritage buildings for fair week visitors to explore. Michigan's Cass County Fair at Cassopolis has celebrated more than 160 years of county fair traditions. Taking place in late July and early August, the packed fair schedule includes grandstand entertainment, rodeos, demolition derbies, 4-H exhibits, animal auctions, truck and tractor pulls and plenty of fairground food.
Holidays shine, shimmer and glow with community celebrations across the region. St. Joseph Michigan kicks off the Christmas season in November with its annual Luminary Festival. More than 1,000 luminaries -- candles placed in paper bags filled with sand -- line downtown streets, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere. Dozens of shops and restaurants, many of them decked out in holiday decor, welcome customers with special deals throughout the one-day event. In Indiana's Amish Country, the town of Shipshewana keeps the holiday spirit bright with its annual Ice Festival. Typically taking place the first Friday and Saturday after Christmas, it's one of the region's largest ice sculpting events. Here, sculptors transform 30,000 pounds of ice into life-size art works located throughout town.
