The Arts

The 11th Constantine Harvest Fest took place Saturday and was declared a success by members of the organizing committee. Karen Gillett, chair of the organizing committee, said strong attendance and positive feedback from vendors were key factors in helping make St. Joseph County’s final 2012 community festival a success. A supply of nearly 400 ears of sweet corn donated by …

The St. Joseph County “One Book, One County” group is reminding the public it has one week to finish reading “Methland” before author Nick Reding will appear in Three Rivers to discuss the novel. Though representatives from the county’s libraries that make up “One Book, One County” already had an author presentation this year, Reding’s schedule in 2013 likely would …

Organizers of the 25th Mendon Riverfest, which concluded its three-day run Saturday, said the milestone anniversary was a success. Riverfest Committee chairman Roger Cupp said a strong crowd all day Saturday made up for smaller-than-usual attendance Thursday and Friday. Highlights Saturday included a canoe swamp, which drew eight teams and featured a $100 cash prize won by a three-member team …

Organizers of this weekend’s Mendon Riverfest have issued a reminder that many of the activities set to take place during the three-day celebration require advance registration. The festival’s website has sign-up forms for prospective participants in the Riverfest parade, its arts and crafts exhibit, Saturday’s Hornet Hustle 5K run, a fishing tournament, canoe swamp, canoe race, kayak race and Thursday’s …

Two county millage renewal requests and an additional renewal request in White Pigeon Township were approved during Tuesday’s primary election. The countywide votes saw the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging earn a six-year renewal of three-quarters of a mill. In addition, three-quarters of a mill renewal for six years was granted to the county E-911 central dispatch. Both renewals, …

The 75th Abbott’s Magic Get-Together in Colon concluded Saturday, and organizers of the four-day celebration say the milestone celebration was an overwhelming success. Greg Bordner, president of Abbott’s Magic, said participants and spectators from seven countries and nearly 40 states took part in the celebration. Though the event is staged as a convention for performers in the world of magic …

The fourth annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival is set to kick off Friday. The three-day event in St. Joseph County’s smallest incorporated community has a number of entertaining events, including a vintage baseball game between the Burr Oak Bandits and Sturgis Biscuits Friday night, a parade Saturday morning, fireworks Saturday night, and a community church service and picnic Sunday. Patty …

The Sturgis Council of the Arts is presenting a series of three different summer-stock plays by the Central Michigan University Performing Arts Department. The first presentation is tonight. Council of the Arts members said the new program is aimed at providing arts and entertainment opportunities to area residents during the summer. Tonight at 7:30, “I Hate Hamlet” will be performed. …

Organizers of the annual Centreville Covered Bridge Days said mild weather and large crowds helped make the 2012 event a success. The two-day event, which concluded Saturday, featured a well-attended fireworks display Friday, a classic car show Saturday that drew 167 vehicles, a large crowd to see Spike and the Bulldogs concert on Main Street and hundreds of people watching …

Saturday’s second day of the annual Centreville Covered Bridge Days will have plenty to offer, including food, attractions and music. Activities get started Saturday with the classic car show beginning at 8 a.m., a cake walk, bounce house, dunk tank and plenty of food will also be a part of the festival Saturday. Spike and he Bulldogs will take the …