By Celia Kauth
It’s a summer weekend in western Michigan. The sun is shining, the day is young, and as you drive along the scenic Red Arrow Highway, you notice a cluster of brightly-colored tents and booths outside of Skip’s, an award-winning steakhouse located just north of New Buffalo, one of Michigan’s most popular beach towns. There are dozens of people weaving in and out of the booths and tents, and you wonder what everyone has gathered for. You can’t resist but to navigate your vehicle into the parking lot of Skip’s and investigate!
This is a common scene for both Michiganders and tourists alike; the weekly New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market just north of New Buffalo is one of the best-kept secrets in western Michigan! Since 2009, the New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market has offered a diverse array of food, entertainment, and goods to purchase from 9 am-3 pm each Saturday and Sunday from mid-May to Mid-October. One could spend hours perusing the crafts and treats from vendors, and the New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market is one of the best ways to get acquainted with local artists and creators, as well as locals themselves.
No two weekends are the same at the New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market. While many of the vendors establish permanent positions in the farmer’s market each season, there are often new merchants joining every single week!
Start your visit with some locally-brewed cold brew coffee. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a sumptuous delicacy baked only minutes away! Sway to one of the many live bands and artists providing entertainment, or enjoy the music from one of the many comfortable, shaded tables and chairs located in the middle of the market!
The New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market even has a convenient shuttle service that allows guests to travel from the center of the city to the market at no cost! The shuttle service runs every half hour on the hour, and guests can venture back and forth from the market to the downtown area. The shuttle picks up passengers at the New Buffalo Savings Bank, and often, it will make more trips than its scheduled hourly journeys.
With a wide range of shopping and dining options offered, the New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market is truly the treasure of the Red Arrow Highway. Savor the flavors and tastes of local western Michigan delicacies, purchase fine goods and souvenirs from one of the many vendors, or simply enjoy the music and atmosphere! With amenities such as free parking, the shuttle service, and an ATM on-site, the New Buffalo European Farmer’s Market is an underrated place to make your Michigan memories!
