Photo by Kai Oberhäuser on Unsplash.com
Downtown Ludington hosts several arts and crafts fairs throughout the year. The summer fairs are especially popular, being held outdoors in Rotary Park (formerly City Park) at 400-500 West Ludington Avenue. It’s the perfect location to browse the arts and crafts and then walk just a short distance either to beautiful Stearns Park to enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline, or walk a short distance the opposite way to browse many friendly Ludington stores and experience great restaurants.
The West Shore Art Fair is typically scheduled for the first full weekend in July. The WSAF is sponsored by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts and is a juried fine arts and crafts show which means more stringent criteria is used and only the highest-quality artists are admitted. Every year, close to 100 vendors display paintings, photography, jewelry, clay, glass, fiber, wood, and many other varieties of fine art. In addition to the exhibits, the fair features live musical performances, food stations, a children’s activity area, and a booth where children can purchase art for just $5. The Art Fair is open Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm.
The Gold Coast Artisan Fair, sponsored by the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce, is typically held in mid-August. The hours are Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Vendors from across the state and beyond sell a variety of wonderful handmade items, jewelry, photographs, paintings, and more. Shop for gift items, or pick up something unique for your home. There’s something for everyone, including good things to eat!
