This weekend in Berrien County, MI

Blooming Bus Farms hosts a first-year full moon celebration filled with music, art, and delightfully eerie surprises. The day features performances from Chokesetter, The Distractions, Hav-Musuvs, Wrecked Wrens, River Rats, HAANUMAAN, ROGUER, and SPACESHIPS, plus comedy by Jack Hull and John Osborne, a hypnotic dance experience from SoFe, and immersive live projections by Action Adam V Barnplotter. The Blood in the Cornfields podcast will keep the energy moving with live MCing. A market of spooky art vendors and local food trucks is part of the experience, and vendor applications are welcome. Tickets are $25. Ten percent of proceeds support Resonant Vibe, which provides youth mentoring and parent support in Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses interested in supporting the local creative community.

Explore the world of fungi with Dr. Henry Van T. Cotter in a guided program that introduces mushrooms, how to identify them, and the roles they play in nature. The session begins with an overview, then moves outdoors into the gardens and nature preserve to search for specimens and collect samples for closer study. It concludes with a display of the day’s finds and a discussion of their classification, ecological significance, and potential culinary and medicinal uses. Late summer and early fall often produce a wide variety of fruiting bodies, so weather may allow for many discoveries. Participants are welcome to bring mushrooms from their own property, along with a basket for collecting at Fernwood. Comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear and clothing are recommended, as are water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Suggested for teens and adults. The program takes place in the Flora Wing of the Sims Education Center. Cost is $35, with a $28 member rate. Dr. Cotter’s path into mycology began on a Michigan fruit farm, followed by formal study that set the course for advanced work in the field. His graduate research examined beech bark disease in New England and boletes in Nepal as a Fulbright scholar, culminating in a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. His professional and volunteer experience includes crop protection research, cataloging fungal type collections at the NCU Herbarium, investigating equine fungal infections, documenting fungi in Michigan’s nature sanctuaries, and supporting mushroom growers worldwide through the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program.

Experience a mellow evening in the garden at The Green at Fernwood as live music drifts through the air. The summer concert series continues with The Happy Campers, delivering spirited jam vibes inspired by The Grateful Dead and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site. Please bring your own chair for seating. Outside food, drinks, and other substances are not permitted on the grounds. Tickets are $10 when bought in advance and $20 at the door.

Enjoy a $20 dinner featuring a steak prepared to your liking, served with a baked potato, salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Reservations are required by the Friday before the event. To reserve, call 269-429-9102 or email foplodge96@gmail.com.

A summer DJ dance party in New Buffalo flows between indoor and outdoor spaces and features Party Proz Entertainment. Admission is free, the event is for ages 21 and over, and it is well suited for bachelor and bachelorette celebrations.

Running weekly from Mother’s Day through mid-October, this open-air market brings together favorite local vendors for a lively community experience. Visitors can stroll the market to discover fresh flavors and artisan creations, meet the makers behind them, and enjoy the energy of neighbors connecting. Whether shopping, browsing, or exploring the idea of becoming a vendor, it is a welcoming spot where local businesses take center stage. The market encourages support for local people, the discovery of new favorites, and a shared effort to keep the community’s economy growing.

Meet adoptable cats and kittens at FuzzyButz Pet Bakery with Animal Aid of Southwestern Michigan. Spend time cuddling and getting to know friendly felines, and learn how to begin the adoption process. Adoption applications are available through Animal Aid of Southwestern Michigan.