Third Coast Surf Shop in St. Joseph and New Buffalo is presenting Harbor Shores Harvest Paddle Fest Saturday, Oct. 8.
The event is centered around a 23-mile paddle from Shamrock Park in Berrien Springs, down the St. Joseph River to the harbor in St. Joseph. The paddle is open for both kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders.
Paddler check-in is from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 at Biggby Coffee, 111 Main St., St Joseph.
Then head over to The Livery, 190 Fifth St., Benton Harbor, to meet some of the paddlers who will be on the river.
Paddlers will meet at the Harbor Shores Beach Oct. 8 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. for transportation to Berrien Springs. Park vehicles and load boats and gear on their transport for the drive to the launch site at Shamrock Park in Berrien Springs.
The first wave of paddlers launches on the St. Joseph River at 9 a.m. for the start of a 23-mile downstream paddle, where participants can enjoy the fall colors, see anglers on the water and take in breathtaking rural vistas.
An hour and a half into the paddle, participants will land at Jasper Dairy Road DNR site for a pit stop and refreshments. Three hours later, it will be time to stop for lunch at the City of St Joseph’s Riverview Park. After finishing lunch, it’s back in the boats for the final hour of the trip through St Joseph to finish just where the trip started that morning at the Harbor Shores Beach.
Later that evening, get together with all the paddlers at The Livery for snacks, a beer and music.
Meet at the Harbor Shores Beach Sunday, Oct. 9 for optional guided paddle trips out onto Lake Michigan — weather and conditions permitting — up the scenic Paw Paw River, or attend a paddle board demo sponsored by Third Coast Surf Shop.
Check out the details at www.berrienpaddlers.com.