Grand rising, West Michigan. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Let’s throw some eggs, cheese, and sausage on there with a fresh cup of coffee and start this day off right! 🥐 ☕️ 

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• Ice Breaker Festival 🧊 

• MI Beer Garden 🍻 

• Muskegon Museum of Art 🎨 

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

Two MI Breweries Nominated Top 20 Beer Gardens In US

Michigan shines in USA Today’s search for the best beer garden, with two local favorites nominated among the top 20 nationwide. Hop Lot Brewing Co. in Sutton’s Bay is recognized for its expansive, four-season outdoor space, featuring firepits, cornhole, live music, and 18 heated igloos for winter gatherings. Co-owner Drew Lutke expressed pride in the nomination, highlighting the brewery's goal of creating a welcoming environment for families and friends to enjoy Michigan's natural beauty.

Meanwhile, Watermark Brewing Company in Stevensville, just south of St. Joseph, also made the cut. This year-round destination boasts a spacious outdoor area, a covered patio, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Co-founder Chris Mason emphasized the support from the local community, which has played a crucial role in their success. Voting for the 10Best beer gardens is open until February 24, allowing fans to support their favorite spots. You can vote here.

Ice Breaker Festival

After weeks indoors, it’s time to shake things up at South Haven’s Ice Breaker Festival, running from January 31 to February 2. Enjoy the quirky charm of winter with the famous Frozen Fish Fling and a dazzling display of 30 ice sculptures. The highlight of the festival is the chili cook-off, where 23 competitors will vie for the coveted “Con Carne Trophy” on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. Attendees can warm up by fire pits and roast s’mores while savoring delicious chili. Family-friendly activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, an ice skating rink, and a kids-only silent disco, while adults can join a silent disco from 1-6 p.m. Don’t miss the thrilling cardboard sled races at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Lighthouse Keeper’s House. Plus, enjoy a Bloody Mary on a boat and take advantage of Pub Slide deals throughout South Haven. Embrace winter fun! Full schedule here.

Ottawa Sands Honored

Ottawa Sands, a 345-acre park in West Michigan that transformed from a sand mining site into a vibrant ecological and recreational area, has earned a 2025 Park Design award from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association. The park features an inland lake, walking trails, a 1.6-mile paved path, modern restrooms, a universally accessible kayak launch, and campgrounds, all resulting from extensive renovations and ecological enhancements to address past disturbances. These improvements included dune reconstruction, native plantings, and invasive species removal. County officials highlighted the project as a significant achievement, supported by millions in public and private funding. The award will be presented on March 4 at the mParks Conference in Traverse City. Additionally, construction is nearing completion on the Idema Explorers Camp, which will offer unique overnight accommodations, thanks to a $3.48 million donation from the Bill and Bea Idema Foundation.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Love Cafe To Open In Muskegon

The Love Café, a new pay-what-you-can restaurant, will open in March at 557 W Western Ave, Muskegon, Michigan. Guests can choose to pay nothing, the typical restaurant price, or contribute more to help others. The café will also provide job skills training for back-of-house workers, led by Chef Eric Cockream. Love INC of Muskegon County, which has served the community for over 40 years, aims to create a welcoming space for all. The café will operate like a traditional restaurant, ensuring dignity and respect for every guest. Volunteers will support service roles, while participants in the training program will be paid.

15.6 Million Expansion At Muskegon Museum of Art

The Muskegon Museum of Art is set to unveil a $15.6 million expansion on February 6, with a grand opening in March. This significant project reflects the community’s dedication to enhancing arts and culture along the lakeshore. Executive Director Kirk Hallman emphasizes the importance of a vibrant art scene in attracting residents, particularly younger generations who can work remotely. The expansion, which doubles the museum's size, will showcase more of its 5,000+ collection items and introduce new galleries and learning studios. Attention to detail in design and climate control ensures an optimal visitor experience.

SPONSORED BY SIMULATOR CONSULTANTS

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN

MUSKEGON

Thursday - Wonderland Distillery - Trivia Night 7pm

Hot Rod Harley-Davidson - Indoor Cornhole 6:30-9pm

Friday - Lotus Room - Dueling Pianos 8pm

Frauenthal Center - Fleetwood Gold Live 7:30pm

Bonfire & Brews Night at Muskegon Luge 5-8pm

Wonderland Distillery - Euchre Tournament at Snowfest 6-9pm

Pigeon Hill - Kickoff 2025: Hops for Harbor Hospice Fundraiser 6-9pm

Saturday - Winter Farmers Market 9am-2pm

Trinity Health Arena - Snowfest 2025 9am-10pm

Unruly Brewing Company - Adult Prom 6-11:30pm

Bonfire & Brews Night at Muskegon Luge 5-8pm

Downtown - RJN Comedy Pub Crawl at Snowfest 6-10pm

Sunday - Pigeon Hill - Euchre Sundays 2pm

Monday - Pigeon Hill - Holiday Trivia Night 7pm

GRAND HAVEN

Thursday- Grand Armory Live Music 6:30pm

Friday- Odd Side Live Music 8pm

Saturday- Sweet Temptations - National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day 8am-12pm

Grand Armory Live Music

Sunday - Loutit District Library - Live music Jim Cooper 2pm

Monday - Odd side - Pub Trivia Night

HOLLAND

Thursday - Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

Friday - Park Theatre - Desmond Jones & Roosevelt Diggs 8pm

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 9am-1pm

Critter Barn - Winterfest 2025 10am-5pm

Sunday - New Holland Brewing - Trivia Night 6pm

Monday - Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

WEATHER

Thursday

44 🌡️ 30 | ⛅️ |

Friday

40 🌡️ 21 | 🌧️ |

Saturday

30🌡️ 27 | ⛅️ |

Sunday

42 🌡️ 34 | ⛅️ |

Monday

37 🌡️ 20 | ⛅️ |

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

Grand Armory I Roger Gonda I 6:30pm

Sandy Point I Bryan Hammond I 6pm

Friday

Grand Armory I Velvet Mushroom Syndicate I 6:30pm

Oddside I The Polaroids I 8pm

Lucy’s I Live Music I 7pm

Itty Bitty Bar I JP & The Energy I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Jake Vs Jayk I 7pm

Saturday

Grand Armory I Liquid Radio I 6:30pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Trixie Tang I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Wealthy Soul I 7pm

Sunday

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5pm

Sandy Point I Randy Johnson I 5pm

SPORTS

Super Bowl LIX - Kansas City vs Philadelphia - February 9th 6:30pm

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Lakeshore Current today. If you found something useful, please share with someone who is enjoying this warm up and sunshine

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