
Ludington Sesquicentennial Celebration
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
When you see the Scottville Clown Band, you’re amused by their colorful attire and crazy antics. When you hear them play, you’re amazed at their extraordinary talent. They’ve been entertaining crowds in Michigan for over 100 years, with no sign of slowing down. Perhaps their best performances are during the summer parades, with “The Stripper” being the favorite number. The horns, cymbals, and drums give the Clown Band their other name, “The Big Noise from Scottville.”
In 1903, a musical group of Scottville merchants dressed up as hillbillies and began entertaining at local carnivals. Their popularity grew until World War II called its members away and the group disbanded. In 1947, a local businessman, Ray Schulte, resurrected the group, and to this day, the Scottville Clown Band continues to bring smiles to countless faces. The city of Scottville is located ten miles east of Ludington, with about 1,200 residents. This small town has certainly been put on the map through the notoriety of the Scottville Clown Band.
Clown Band members come from all over Michigan and over 14 other states, including Florida, New York, Tennessee and California.
They represent all walks of life, from police officers and farmers to doctors, bankers, and disc jockeys.
The members are represented by a board of directors, a group of people that make decisions on band operations and policies.
Their charitable contributions include funding and maintaining both the Scottville Clown Band Shell and the Museum of Music at Historic White Pine Village.
One of the primary goals of the Scottville Clown Band is to provide scholarships for students accepted to summer programs for any of the performing arts, including vocal music, theater, or instrumental music. Each year money is given out to over 30 students, helping them with costs to places like Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen. The scholarship recipients are invited to play with the Scottville Clown Band in early summer at a concert performed at Waterfront Park in Ludington.
The city of Scottville is a small town located in the heart of Michigan’s Mason County! Read the stories below or go to the Scottville destination page.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville's Riverside Park.
Scottville Riverside Park, along the Pere Marquette River, has over 50 modern sites and is popular for camping and fishing.
West Shore Community College in Scottville offers classes, the West Shore Ice Arena, and a complete recreation center.
Scottville, Michigan may be small but they do their events in a big way. This rural community knows how to have fun!
Scottville Clown Band Board of Directors
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
The Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Program is typically held each September and is a precursor to the Miss Michigan program.
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Pentwater is known for its art galleries, antiques shops and boutiques, so expect some great finds at their summer arts and crafts fairs.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
Autumn is a great time in West Michigan, with fall festivals, corn mazes, Halloween parties and ghost ships.
Visit downtown Ludington and enjoy music and family activities in an outdoor setting, to celebrate one of the last hurrahs of the season!
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Created in 1980, this trail has 1,000 miles running through Michigan, which also runs through the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
Set in the heart of downtown Ludington is the Todd & Brad Reed Photo Gallery, and it’s a must-see for anyone who appreciates true beauty.
Enjoy the happiest of holidays in West Michigan! From Manistee to Ludington and every city in-between, there is holiday cheer all around!
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Is your business located in West Michigan? Contact us today to learn about advertising opportunities on this website.
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