Things to Enjoy at Riverbend Retreat

Enjoy Hot Tubbing Under the Stars (or the Snowflakes!)

Enjoy Some of the Best Fishing in America, Right Here at Riverbend

For Local Fishing Informatin, Click on the Fish!

Sit on the Swing and Watch the Sun Rise Over the River

Or Simply Enjoy the Gardens and Fountains! 

Relax Watching the Goldfish and Green Frogs in the Pond

 Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Enjoy many more year-round activities here at Riverbend

• Biking and bird-watching - We supply the bikes and binoculars!  Recently, we watched as hundreds of Sandhill Cranes flew over!  A bald eagle was spotted in our tree last year!
• Cross-country skiing nearby.
• Snuggle up in front of the fireplace with a warm drink.
• Call your best friends and rent the whole house for the weekend!  Play cards, games, have cocktails, do scrapbooking, plan an event, or just relax, laugh, and catch up.

Things to Enjoy in Saint Joe

• Saint Joseph's famous Silver Beach on Lake Michigan
• Year-round Festivals
• Sailboat Races
• Free Outdoor Concerts
• Great Art Museums and Galleries
• Great Shopping in Quaint Downtown Saint Joseph
• Tennis and Golf Nearby
• Sunsets Over Lake Michigan
• Fine Dining

 Links to Area Attractions and Events

Fenn Valley Vinyards and Wine Cellar - Events March through August.  See the website for details.  Fenn Valley is only 30 minutes from Riverbend.

Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club - Golf Digest has consistently rated this hidden gem "4-stars"!

Fernwood Botanical Gardens - Beautiful gardens surrounded by forests are tucked into a landscape of 105 acres of cultivated and natural areas alongside the scenic Saint Joseph River valley.  Miles of trails await, and visitors may enjoy an art gallery, fern conservatory, nature center, cafe and gift shop.

Seasonal Happenings 2009

State Street Experience- (First Thursday of Every Month)  Enjoy extended hours from downtown shops. Entertainment will be provided throughout downtown. Enjoy the festivities from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sponsorships Available. Jan. 8, Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7, Jun 4, Jul 2, Aug 6, Sep 3, Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3.

Magical Ice Festival - February 13th-15th  Ice carvers will transform downtown into a festival of fire and ice. Friday afternoon will feature an amateur contest and an opening ceremony that should not be missed. Free fun for the whole family this weekend! Sponsorships Available

Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Bonnet Parade - April 11th
Over 6,000 eggs hidden on Lake Bluff Park for children 2-10 yrs. at 11:30 am. Then be sure to join us in a family Easter Bonnet Parade through the streets of downtown!  

Earth Dav Celebration - April 25th Celebrate Earth Day in St. Joseph with a festival of locally grown foods and wines Do your part to spring clean our community. Sponsorship Available.

Blossomtime Parade – May 2nd  Beauty Queens, Floats, Marching Bands and More!  Downtown St. Joseph & Benton Harbor.

Antiques on the Bluff- May 3rd – October 4th Presented by St. Joseph Today First Sunday of each month May through October, 10am-3pm. Lake Bluff Park. Dealers and private parties sell antiques and collectibles, rain or shine. May 3, Jun 7, Jul 5, Aug 2, Sep 6, Oct 4.

Memorial Day Parade - May 22nd Sponsored by Frank and Shar Walsh- A Parade to honor and commemorate those who have served this great country of ours.  Parade takes place on Lake Boulevard at noon.

Blues, Brews and Bar BBQ's - May 23rd Enjoy a Memorial Day festival. BBQ! Live Music, Great Food and Local Beer! Our popular bean bag tournament returns to downtown. Sponsorship Available

Brownbag Concert Series  June 3rd – August 26th Wednesday concerts from noon -1pm June 3rd - August 26th. Sponsorship Available. June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26; Setember 2

Friday Concerts in the Park Series - June 5th – August 28th Concerts each Friday evening from June 5th - August 28th. Concerts start at 7:30pm and finish by 9pm (No concert July 17th for Venetian), Sponsorship Available. June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 24, 31; Aug 4, 11, 18, 25; Sept 4

Farmers' Market - June 6th– October 17th  Presented by St. Joseph Today Every Saturday during the dates shown except July 18th (Venetian Festival Weekend) .The market is located on Broad Street at Lake Boulevard.  Hours of the market are from 9am-2pm June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 25; Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Sept 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17

St. Joseph Film Festival- June 6th and 7th  Enjoy films at various locations throughout the city of St. Joseph. Sponsorship Available.

WWII Re-enactment – June 17th – June 21st  Presented by Lest We Forget.  www.in-am.org/ww2/

Fourth of July Parade and Festivities – July 4th 10am - noon.  A parade through the downtown of St. Joseph, free horse drawn trolley rides.  A talent show will take place at the band shell following the parade. Sponsorship Available.

Fireworks – July 4th  At dusk on the bluff downtown.

Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff - July 11th-12th Presented by the Krasl Art Center.  St. Joseph is host of one of the premier art shows in the country. For information, call 269-983-0271 or krasl.org

Smooth Jazz at Sunset- July 11 Featuring Rick Braun at the Silver Beach Shadowland Pavillion.

The Venetian Festival - July 16th -19th Presented by the Venetian Festival.  A festival of music and food including a carnival. For information call 269-983-7917 or www.Venetian.org

Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon – August 1st  Beginning at Jean Klock Park, this 70.3 mile course includes biking, running and swimming. For more information www.steelheadtriathlon.com

Downtown Sidewalk Sales- August 6th –9th A festive weekend of the best sales in town

Chalk the Block - August 7th-8th The streets of downtown St. Joseph are transformed into beautiful works of art. Friday 5pm -10pm, Sat. 10am-10pm. Sponsored by Abonmarche.

The NasChair Challenge – August 7th Presented by Harbor Habitat.  What sounds more fun than racing office chairs in downtown St. Joseph that helps to benefit Harbor Habitat? www.thenaschairchallenge.com 

Berrien County Youth Fair – August 17th –22nd www.bcyf.org

Latin Taste & Rhythms Festival - August 15th Presented by the Whirlpool Hispanic Network.  Watch the sunset behind St. Joseph's lighthouse as you enjoy sounds from Latin bands and Indulge your palate with great food!

Tri-State Regatta - September 4th-7th A fun event presented by the St. Joseph River Yacht Club.  Check-out http://www.sjryc.com for more information.

Sailing Festival / Craft Fair - September 5th Presented by St. Joseph Today.  Boats start arriving late Friday night from Chicago. St. Joseph is the first stop. Craft Show on Lake Bluff Park, 10am-5pm

End of Summer Spectacular - September 19th Celebrate another successful summer in St. Joseph.

Harvest Festival/Chili Cook-off - October 10th A festival of the harvest featuring farmers market, a petting zoo, wood carvers, cider mill, scavenger hunt, chili cook-off and much more! Sponsorship Available

Pumpkin Carving Contest – October 24th Noon, Pumpkin carving contest in downtown St. Joseph. Sponsorship Available

Halloween Parade - October 24th 2pm - 3pm, A Halloween parade through the streets of downtown. Free horse drawn trolley rides. Sponsorship Available

Luminary Festival - November 20st  A holiday open house, enjoy over 800 luminaries lighting the downtown. Take a free horse-drawn trolley ride, listen to holiday music and enjoy refreshments from area businesses. Hours for the festival are dusk until 9pm. Sponsorship Available.

Reindog Holiday Parade - December 5th Sponsored by Chemical Bank.  At 12 noon costumed pets and their owners will escort Santa into the downtown to kick off the holiday season. Bands, carolers and
crazy floats are all part of this extraordinary parade.

Santa Claus - December 5th– 24th Sponsored by The Herald Palladium Come Visit Santa Claus in his house at Pleasant and Broad Street. A  horse drawn trolley will be going through downtown.  Hours are Thursday & Friday 4pm – 8pm; Saturday noon – 5pm