In the rolling hills of southwest Michigan nothing says fall quite like the harvesting of fully ripened crops and plump fruits.

In preparation and celebration of this plentiful season the New Buffalo Business Association and Four Winds Casino are hosting the fifth annual New Buffalo Harvest & Wine Fest Saturday, Oct. 8 from noon to 10 p.m. at Lions Park, adjacent to the boat launch and beach parking lot in downtown New Buffalo.
Representing all that the season has to offer, the Harvest & Wine Fest boasts an abundance of local treats including a copious farmers’ market, world-class wines from southwest Michigan, tasty fare from area restaurants, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and more.

There is truly something for everyone, from free activities for the kids to live music all day. Participating wineries include The Round Barn Winery, Free Run Cellars, Lemon Creek and Domain Berrien. For “hopheads” who enjoy a good harvest ale, Round Barn Brewery will be at the helm of the beer tent with several of its microbrews. Musical talent includes Libido Funk Circus at 7:30 p.m.; Top Secret Band at 5 p.m.; Alligator Blackbird at 2:30 p.m.; and The Solution at noon.
Planned in conjunction with the well-established Harbor Country Harvest Days (www.harborcountry.org), the New Buffalo Harvest Fest will serve as a focal-point to this three-day tradition.
“We’ve designed the festival to be center-stage for the area’s Harvest Days so that there is more of a gathering place for visitors to experience all the area’s bounty in one spot,” explained Tom Neubauer of Traffic PR & Marketing, producers of the event.
Suggested donation at the gate is $5 per person; children 12 and under are free.
For updates and more information, go to www.newbuffalo.org or call Colleen Ryan at (773) 791-1809.

Kids activities
• Noon to 5 p.m. — Horse-drawn hayrides through town, free
• Noon to 4 p.m. — Kids art activities, pumpkin painting and more, free
• Noon to 6 p.m. — Pumpkin Patch with pumpkins, gourds, corn, mums
• Noon to 9 p.m. — Bounce House