As the summer begins to come to a close get out and enjoy the many events that are taking place in the Four Flags Areas.

Sept. 1-30, Visit the Fernwood Railway Garden with fall coming soon, be sure to visit this exciting new garden before it closes for the season at the end of October. The garden features four trains running at different elevations from overhead to ground level on more than 500 feet of track. Located at Fernwood Botanical Gardens in Niles.

Sept. 2, Niles summer concert series continues with the First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan Choir, free to attend located at the amphitheater in the Riverfront Park in Niles.
Sept. 3, Stop by and visit the Niles Bensidoun French Market. Located at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 3, Niles summer concert series continues with Kevin Q and the Night Crew with Venitia Sekema, free to attend located at the amphitheater in the Riverfront Park in Niles.
Sept. 4, Knee-high Naturalists 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. this class for children ages 4 and 5 will explore how animals move. Fee $10 (Members $8). Located at Fernwood Botanical Gardens in Niles.

Sept.4-7, MSPB&O Futurity Horse Show located at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds in Berrien Springs.

Sept. 5, Cassopolis Farmers Market this is an open air market open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. featuring local grown foods, organic foods, honey, maple syrup, craft items.

Sept. 5, Buchanan Farmers Market this market is committed to providing the community with fresh, local, fruits and vegetables.  Located at the Commons in downtown Buchanan.
Sept. 5, Niles Bensidoun French Market at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 5-6, Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Powwow, Celebrating the Huckleberry Harvest Labor Day Weekend.  Located at Rogers Lake Campground 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac.

Sept. 6, Join with others to sing favorite ‘old’ Christian hymns that many people grew up with in the 1900s. No admission charge. Free will offering to support restoration of the Old Rugged Cross Church located in Pokagon.

Sept. 7, Annual Labor Day Auction – Featuring Antiques, Collectibles, Big Boy Toys, etc. Pre view items the day before the sale all located at Big Bear Auction Company located in Eau Claire.

Sept. 10, Monthly consignment auction at Big Bear Auction Company located in Eau Claire.

Sept. 11-12, Downtown Sidewalk Sale Days & Community Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in downtown Niles.

Sept. 11-13, Michigan Snaffle Bit Horse Show located at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds, Berrien Springs.

Sept. 12, Salute to Veterans Fly-In & Breakfast EAA Chapter 865, Inc. will hold its third annual, Salute to Veterans Fly-In/Drive In Breakfast, free to all veterans. The event will start at 7 a.m. and run till noon. Located at Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport, in Niles.

Sept. 12, Niles Bensidoun French Market at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 12, Buchanan Farmers Market at the Commons in downtown Buchanan.

Sept. 12, The 14th Annual Harvest Festival and British Car Show ia at Lemon Creek Winery. This free event will run from noon to 6 p.m. The Austin Healey Club of the Midwest will be co-hosting the event with about 50+ classic cars on sight.  There will be live music performed all day. There will be food, hay rides, arts and crafts, and plenty of free wine tasting and much more. Located in Berrien Springs.

Sept. 12-13, Visit Tree Mendus Fruit U-Pick and help support our injured soldiers and their families through the Fisher House Foundation. We will donate $2 for every bushel of fruit you pick, located in Eau Claire.

Sept. 13, Niles summer concert series continues with Jypsi, with Round Mountain, free at the amphitheater in the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 13, Fernwood continues their Second Sunday Concert. Guitarist Peter Aglinskas will be performing at 4 p.m. Second Sunday concerts are sponsored by WAUS Radio Station in Berrien Springs. Fernwood in located in Niles.

Sept. 17, Niles Bensidoun French Market at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 18, This is the opening day for the Niles Haunted House and Scream Park with 44 acres of multiple haunted attractions, hayrides, games, and concessions. Open every Friday and Saturday in September, and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until November.

Sept. 19, Niles Bensidoun French Market at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 19, Buchanan Farmers Market at the Commons in downtown Buchanan.

Sept. 19-20, MIHA District 3 Equestrian Meet located at the Berrien County Youth Fair Grounds, Berrien Springs.

Sept. 24, Niles Bensidoun French Market at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Sept. 26, 16th Annual Golf for Goods a benefit for the Stuff a Truck Food Drive by the Southwest Michigan Community Action Committee. Bring non-perishable food items in exchange for green fees.  Located at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course in Eau Claire.

Sept. 26, Cassopolis Farmers Market – Fall Harvest Market, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Cassopolis.

Sept. 26, Buchanan Farmers Market.

Sept. 26, Niles Bensidoun French Market at the Riverfront Park Niles.

Also take a visit to your local senior center they offer a wide variety of events, trips and activities.  There are many groups that meet daytime and evening at your local senior center that you don’t have to be a senior to enjoy.

Be sure to check all of your local libraries for a wonderful list of events and fun filled things to do for all ages.

Melinda Michael is executive director Four Flags Area Council on Tourism.