west michigan

News Releases

13-foot-tall La Muñeca Lele Doll to Highlight Fiesta Mexicana #54 – September 8-10 at Calder Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids

A highlight this year’s Fiesta Mexicana #54 – also known as “Los Colores de Mexico” – presented September 8-10 by the Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan (MHAWM) is the featured appearance of a 13-foot-tall handmade artisan La Muñeca Lele doll, which is on world tour. As the largest Latin ethnic group in West Michigan, the community’s rich culture and spirit continues to flourish during this free family event taking place at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

Read More
Promote Michigan Blog

The 2020 Census is Counting on You!

I think I first heard the word census during the summer of 1980, when I was in elementary school, and we spent our summer vacation researching our family tree on a cross-state road trip. I’m not sure I recall what it was or what it meant back then, but in recent years – as I’ve found a growing interest in my family history as well as the lives of others while researching for my writing, I have been finding more and more reason to access census data online.

Read More
Featured Destination

Take Your Fall Color Tour Along West Michigan’s Lakeshore Harvest Country

As the fall color tour season begins to emerge, you’re invited to bring the family out to explore the back-country roads along the Lake Michigan shoreline stretching throughout Van Buren and Allegan Counties.

Read More
News Releases

7th Annual Fall Bicycle Tour Planned for Saturday, September 15 Between Lakeshore Communities of South Haven-Fennville-Saugatuck

(FENNVILLE, Mich)—Lakeshore Harvest Country and Friends of the Blue Star Trail are gearing up for the 7th Annual Bicycle Tour

Read More
News Releases

Lakeshore Harvest Country Celebrates Family Friendly Pure Michigan Agri-Tourism Experiences

Nestled along a 30-mile stretch of Michigan’s “Fruit Belt” region lies a collection of orchards, farms and vineyards known as Lakeshore Harvest Country. Taking full advantage of the “lake effect” climate delivered by the Great Lakes and Lake Michigan specifically, this shoreline area is rooted in agricultural and tourism heritage.

Read More
Featured Destination

Touring the Newest Pure Michigan Byway™

Last summer [2016], a 184-mile stretch of the West Michigan Pike, from St. Joseph to Silver Lake, became the state’s latest Pure Michigan Byway™ during a public ceremony at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing. The Michigan Beachtowns Association, which represents more than a dozen shoreline communities, collaborated with Travel Michigan and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to develop the byway.

Read More
News Releases

Nancie Oxley Named Vice President of Pure Michigan’s St. Julian Winery

St. Julian Wine Company in Paw Paw has recently named Nancie Oxley as its Vice President. Recognized as Michigan’s first female winemaker, she joined St. Julian in 2002 as the Assistant Winemaker and moved up the ranks to Head Winemaker in 2010.

Read More
News Releases

Lakeshore Harvest Country Hosts 11th Annual Family-Friendly Road Rally Scavenger Hunt – July 22

Lakeshore Harvest Country is gearing up for its 11th Annual Road Rally, July 22. Previously hosted in the fall season, this family-friendly traveling scavenger hunt takes participants from clue to clue along the backroads of Michigan’s “Fruit Belt” region—visiting the orchards, vineyards, farms and studios along the way.

Read More
News Releases

Root Café and Coffeehouse in Fennville Adds Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits to their Menu

Root Café and Coffeehouse in downtown Fennville is expanding its menu to offer craft beer, wine and spirits, alongside artisan sandwiches, rustic food, baked goods and coffee. The cozy space features a sitting area with old fashioned couches and chairs surrounding a fireplace, and raw edge plank tables for you to dine. Root is now open 7 days a week, from 7:30am-9pm.

Read More
News Releases

Hotel Walloon Awarded AAA Four Diamond Rating

Hotel Walloon is one of only two hotels in Northern Michigan (and only 17 statewide) to receive the coveted AAA Four Diamond Rating. This is the second year in a row that the luxury boutique property, first opened in May 2015, has made the list. The award was presented this spring at the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Detroit, in front of a record crowd of more than 1000 hospitality and travel leaders.

Read More
Promote Michigan Blog

Great Lakes, Great Times – in Pure Michigan

Michigan has been welcoming travelers since the 1800s who arrived by steamer ships, trains and later personal automobiles to escape the city heat in Chicago, St. Louis and other locales. They were drawn to the sugar sand beaches, the cool waters and the often allergy-free environment.

Read More