Winter fun is heating up across West Michigan with three great events on January 30 and 31, starting with the St. Joseph Today Chili Tour on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., where dozens of downtown St. Joseph locations serve up their best chili in support of the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, with stops featuring pours from Silver Harbor Brewing, St. Joe Community Taproom, and The Livery. On Friday afternoon, head lakeside for the Pure Ludington BRRRewfest at Legacy Plaza from 1 to 6 p.m., featuring craft beer, cider, wine, and mead from 20 Michigan producers, including Jamesport Brewing Company, Iron Fish Distillery, Michigan Wine Company, St. Ambrose Cellars, and Stormcloud Brewing, with proceeds benefiting Friends of Ludington State Park. Families can also enjoy hands-on winter fun at W.K. Kellogg Ducky Day at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Hickory Corners from noon to 3 p.m., with duck-themed activities, games, crafts, and a build-a-snow-duck contest—making it a perfect weekend mix of food, drinks, and family-friendly fun.
St. Joseph Today Chili Tour | January 30 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.
If it’s going to be winter, it might as well be chili—and downtown St. Joseph is serving up the heat! The annual St. Joseph Today Chili Tour is happening tonight from 5 to 8 p.m., with dozens of participating locations offering up their very best chili recipes. Pick up your Chili Tour map at the St. Joe Today Welcome Center for just five dollars, with all proceeds benefiting the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen. Stroll the streets, sample chili, and use your map as a voting ballot to crown your favorites. One chili will take home the coveted chili pepper trophy, while the People’s Choice Award goes to the fan favorite. Silver Harbor Brewing will be pouring great brews alongside great chili, while the St. Joe Community Taproom hosts a lively chili stop with The Livery—another must-visit Benton Harbor craft beer destination.
Pure Ludington BRRRewfest | January 31 | 1:00–6:00 p.m.
Winter magic is brewing at the Pure Ludington BRRRewfest tomorrow from 1 to 6 p.m. Bundle up, grab your friends, and head to Legacy Plaza for an afternoon filled with live music, great vibes, and craft beverages. Enjoy beer, cider, wine, and mead from 20 Michigan breweries, all in one scenic lakeshore setting. Local favorite Jamesport Brewing Company will be serving up some festival eats along with their local brews so you’ll definitely want to check that out! Favorites include hand-crafted beverages from Iron Fish Distillery, the passionate wines and cider from Michigan Wine Company, awesome meads from St. Ambrose Cellars and medal-winning Stormcloud Brewing. You can go online and purchase a ticket TODAY for $ 30.00 or tomorrow for $ 40.00 and this includes 7 tokens and a commemorative tasting glass. Best of all, proceeds benefit Friends of the Ludington State Park, supporting amphitheater improvements at the park.
W.K. Kellogg Ducky Day | January 31 | Noon–3:00 p.m.
Winter fun continues at W.K. Kellogg Ducky Day in Hickory Corners tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. Celebrate all things duck at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and discover how ducks stay warm, how they float, and why they’re perfectly built for Michigan winters. Families can enjoy hands-on activities, rubber duck games, crafts, and prizes, plus a stroll along the paved lakeside path to spot whimsical ducks and duck humor along the way. Warm up by the fire pit with marshmallows, then head inside for even more duck-themed fun. Don’t miss the build-a-snow-duck competition—perfect for family creativity. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 2–17, and $5 for seniors and students.
