A plethora of events will populate the 2024 museum season with three fundraisers, a kids’ carnival, a band concert, another tour of the Edwardsburg Cemetery, and the annual Christmas tree lighting.

Plants, Plants, and More Plants

On May 17, the first of three fundraising events begins when the perennial plant sale gets underway. Dussel’s Market and Greenhouses of Cassopolis is a supporter of the event and this year’s floral offerings will include a much wider selection. From ground covers to designer lilies and peonies, butterfly bushes, and miniature hydrangeas, various prices and colors will be offered. The sale will include not only clematis vines but also peony trees. A selection of annuals, featuring hanging baskets, and patio and cemetery pots again will complement the sale.

Several large plants will be available, including the popular gallon size, as well as ‘fresh starts’ of hens and chicks. Prices will start at $1.

Kiddies Needed for the Carnival

On Memorial Day, May 27, the activities committee again will staff a kids’ carnival in the museum’s backyard. Games will include Go Fishing, Duck Pond, Pick-A-Pop, Velcro Target, and a Bean Bag Toss. The carnival is for all ages and tickets will be 5 for $1. The event begins immediately following the parade and concludes at 2 p.m.

The Hacienda Beckons

The museum will hold its annual Hacienda Fundraiser on June 19 at the Mishawaka location on Grape Road. Participants must produce a coupon, available at the museum or from members, before ordering a meal. The restaurant then donates 20 percent of the proceeds to the museum. Coupons also can be presented that day for gift cards for later use.

The Historical Society Visits

The Cass County Historical Society will hold its meeting at the museum at 6:30 p.m., on July 16. It is open to the public.

Chill Once Again to Music in the Museum Backyard

For the second consecutive year, the VanDyke Revue Band will play. The performance will be at 7 p.m., Sat., July 27, on the museum’s back deck. There is no admission charge and music lovers can enjoy the show from their lawn chairs or on blankets they spread on the ground. The band is from Buchanan and was founded in 1999 by Dave VanDyke and his father, John. Sensational Scoops of Edwardsburg again will sell ice cream during the evening.

Remember the U.S. 12 Garage Sale!

The second full weekend in August is always the U.S. 12 Garage Sale and this has been the museum’s largest of its three fundraising events. The sale takes up all of the side yard and at least half of the backyard of the museum property, and planning takes nearly all year. It runs this year from Fri., August 9^th through Sun, Aug.  12^th, but the museum always opens a day early, which, this year, is Thurs., Aug. 8.

The sale is fully staffed by volunteers with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Sunday.

See the Schoolroom After the All-School Reunion

The museum is always open immediately after the Edwardsburg Public Schools All-School Reunion, the third Sunday in August. This year, it falls on Aug. 18. The museum building opens at 3:30 p.m. for those who want to reminisce about school years, look at yearbooks, and see newly-mounted displays.

Calling All Cemetery Tour Enthusiasts

The tour of the Edwardsburg Village Cemetery was so popular in 2023 that the activities committee has another one scheduled for Sept. 28. It again will be a walking tour and there will be a golf cart on site for participants to ride if needed. Transportation will be provided from the museum. Times are to be determined. A morning tour may be added since last year’s tour was sold out. There will again be re-enactments of historical figures buried in the cemetery, but those are yet to be selected. Tickets are $5 each.

Let’s Light the Christmas Tree

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be at 5:30 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 5, in the museum side yard. It is sponsored by the Uptown Improvement Association (UIA) in concert with the museum. The museum will be open and activities are in the planning stages.