Memorial Day Events: Beaches, BBQs and Brews

Kicking off a busy, fun-filled Memorial Day Weekend in Berrien County is a salute to local veterans during the St. Joseph, Michigan, Memorial Day Parade. This year's event, sponsored by St. Joseph Today, is scheduled for May 23 from noon until 2 p.m. Marchers step off on State Street in the heart of the downtown business district and travel through this tiny, lakefront town, ushering in another people-packed tourist season on Lake Michigan.

There's plenty of activity for folks of all ages and inclinations all weekend, from a "Blues, Brews & BBQs" salute to food and drink on May 24 in St. Joseph's Lake Bluff Park, to the bi-annual Antique Tractor Show that takes over the sprawling Berrien Springs Youth Fairgrounds from May 30-June 1.

In between it all, dozens of local beaches, state parks and riverfront campsites open for the season on Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the kick-off to the region's hectic summer travel and tourism events.

In nearby rural Baroda, the Round Barn Winery is nestled in the quiet, green hillsides and hosts its annual Memorial Day Open House beginning at noon on May 24. On offer will be tastes of its newest white and red wines ready for sampling right out of the barrel. Visitors can also luxuriate in the winery's Wine Cellar Café, munching on a gourmet pizza, salad or grilled sandwiches.

Travel south and east about 10 miles through some of the county's prettiest countryside and stop in at Buchanan's historic Pears Mill, which opens for the season, weekends only, on Memorial Day. The 1850's-era water-powered working flour mill, faithfully restored and operated by the Buchanan Preservation Society, offers visitors a realistic glimpse into local life in the 19^th century.

Want to cool off after your trek around the Mill and the adjacent Buchanan Commons? Take a scenic, 20-mile trip west and north to the picture-perfect Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer. Opening for the season on Memorial Day, the park spreads out across some 1,950 uncrowded acres of sand dunes, forest, streams and, of course, three miles of clean, white-sand beachfront on Lake Michigan's sunset shores.

Getting to Berrien County is easy. From the west, take 1-94 from Chicago and exit anywhere in the first 25 miles after crossing the Michigan state line. From the east, take I-94 exits beginning at exit 23 and follow the signs to your community-of-choice.

From the north, take I-196 to Exit 7 and follow M-63 south to downtown St Joseph. Or stay on I-196 until it merges with I-94 and just travel the freeway west to your destination of choice. From the south, take US-31 north into Berrien County and follow the signs as you pass cross the Indiana-Michigan border.