On Saturday, June 16 at the Warren Dunes State Park located at 12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125, right off of I-94, will be hosting the 13th annual Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival 2018. This is an awesome event with 20+ wineries, 5 food trucks, live music and of course the Warren Dunes and Lake Michigan as your backdrop. This is their first year for hosting the Wine Fest at the dunes because of the popularity in previous years the vendors needed a bigger spot to convene.
Nearby hotels are offering special rates for Wine Fest attendees along with shuttles back and forth from the festival. The festival itself is $10 in advance and $15 at the ticket window. Your ticket includes admission and a souvenir wine glass. Parking is free for anyone with a Michigan State Park Passport, attached to your license plate. If you do not have this pass they charge the regular park fee at the entrance per vehicle, so it is a good idea to carpool with friends or family.
As stated above, tickets are $15 at the event, and additional tickets need to be purchased for tastings usually 1 sample is 1 ticket, which equals $1. Now, sometimes the winery may charge you 2-5 tickets for one sample depending on how strong it is or if it cost more to make. Usually your Ice Wine, Ports, Sherries, liquors or hard to find wine take more than 1 ticket. There you have it 1 ticket equals $1. I suggest buying a lot of tickets! For more information go here!
Of course, as always pace yourself and drink responsibly. Festivities start at 1pm and last until 9pm or sunset, whichever happens first. The food trucks are there to help you sober up and tantalise your palate, along with the dunes and beach you can take a long hike and end up chillin' in the sand for a while or take a dip in the temperate blue waters of Lake Michigan. Make sure to bring lots of water to stay properly hydrated during this event. Temperatures will peak around 87 with the heat index reaching low to mid 90s. Also, with the sun out and almost directly overhead the UV index is going to be at a 9, which is very high, this means sunscreen is a must!
I hope to see you there on June 16!