SAUGATUCK DOUGLAS - MICHIGAN'S WEST COAST PRIDE

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Tucked between soaring sand dunes and the glorious Kalamazoo River, Saugatuck-Douglas showers the spoils of resort-life on locals and visitors alike. With its beautiful beaches and eclectic cuisine and nightlife, the area’s relaxed atmosphere has charmed gays and lesbians for nearly a century. Whether hosting the club kids or the over 60 crowd, Saugatuck-Douglas proudly offers something for everyone.

Once a thriving lumber town, Saugatuck-Douglas became a popular tourist destination in the early 1800s. By 1870, Chicago and St. Louis natives commonly traveled to the Saugatuck-Douglas lakeshore to escape the summer heat, but the area’s true turning point came in 1910, when artists from the Chicago Art Institute established the Summer School of Painting on the Ox-Bow Lagoon. Oxbow encouraged a gay presence in Saugatuck-Douglas and over time, the community flourished as a gay safe haven. In fact, tourists have warmly nicknamed Saugatuck the “Fire Island of the Midwest.”

After forging a reputation as a gay-friendly weekend retreat, Saugatuck-Douglas emerged as a pillar of the greater Midwest gay community. Many who once called Saugatuck-Douglas a home away from home became full-time investors in the town’s success. As they fell deeper in love with their surroundings, the weekend warriors purchased and renovated homes and businesses. What were once abandoned storefronts and dilapidated cottages gradually became quaint bed and breakfast establishments and storefronts. Saugatuck-Douglas now features more than 30 art galleries and a local calendar loaded with music, art and film festivals. Currently, more than 30 percent of Saugatuck-Douglas’ impressive restaurants, hotels and shops are gay owned and/or operated.

The Saugatuck-Douglas dining circuit bridges the gap between top-shelf taste and low-brow attitude. American, French, English and Italian delicacies are available in abundance, as are the prerequisite burgers and ice cream demanded by most travelers.

Saugatuck-Douglas’ clothing, gift and antique shops run the gamut from classic to contemporary.

Tourists also enjoy many options when it comes time to rest their weary heads. Saugatuck-Douglas motels, resorts, cottages, suites and Bed & Breakfast inns are suited to every taste and budget.

For art enthusiasts, the area boasts more than 38 galleries and an ever growing Film Festival every June. The Mason Street Warehouse professional theater company in the Saugatuck Center for the Arts presents "uptown theater in downtown Saugatuck" every June - October.

Although business and tourism thrive year-round in Saugatuck-Douglas, things really heat up between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Swimmers and sunbathers soak up the scene on infamous Oval Beach. MTV once touted Oval Beach as one of the nation’s five best beaches, and Conde Nast Traveler rated it one of the world’s 25 best shorelines.

Saugatuck-Douglas has plenty of physical, outdoor diversions for the young and restless as well. Canoeing, jet-skiing and horseback riding can be arranged from several locales, and premier hiking awaits at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Allegan State Park and picturesque Fenn Valley vineyard (269/561-2396).

When travelers tire of the sand in their suit, romantic Lake Michigan is on hand to conjure another stunning sunset each and every night.

For more information:

Felicia Fairchild, Saugatuck/Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau
269-857-1701 or www.saugatuck.com

Mike Jones, Gay Saugatuck Douglas
616-836-2770 or www.gaysaugatuckdouglas.com

Many of the photos below can be clicked to see a larger version suitable for print.

www.gaysaugatuckdouglas.com
www.saugatuck.com
www.saugatuckdouglas.com

GOIN' ON @ THE DUNES SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN

Summer 2012

5/26 DJ Randy Bettis
5/27 DJ John LePage
7/01 DJ Roland Belmares
7/04 DJ Tony Moran
7/06 DJ Ralphie Rosario
7/07 DJ Chi Chi LaRue (Pool)
7/07 DJ Paulo
9/01 DJ Drew G (Pool)
9/01 DJ Chris Cox
9/02 DJ Tracy Young

Coming up in May 2012

May 2012

31st Annual Black & White Anniversary Party 4/27 - 4/29
Masquerade Ball 4/28
Summer\'s First Tea Dance 4/29 4pm

DJ Mark Vallese Every Friday & Saturday
Tea Dance Every Sunday 4-9pm

MML Send Off Party, Burlesque Bingo May 5

Men of Manwatch Saturday May 12

Save a Horse/Ride a Cowboy Weekend 5/18 - 5/20

Memorial Day Weekend 5/25 - 5/28

Save a Horse/Ride a Cowboy Weekend

Save a Horse/Ride a Cowboy
May 18 - 20
Friday MIGRA
Saturday ILGRA
Sunday Tea "Charlies DJ" Michael B

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend May 25 - 28
Friday - DJ Mark Vallese, Men of Manwatch, Niah Whitely in the Cabaret
Saturday - Opening Day @ The Pool!  PM Gay Days DJ Randy Bettis, Kelly & Rick in the Cabaret
Sunday - Tea DJ Mark 4-7 & DJ/Producer John LePage 7-cl, Amy & Freddy in the Cabaret
Monday - Tea Dance 4-9pm

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan @ The Dunes Resort
Friday July 13 & Saturday July 14
8:30pm Showtime outside on the deck!
Tickets available @ www.reactionshows.com

Alison Arngrim

The Bitch is Back
Little House on the Prairie\'s
"Nellie Olsen" ALISON ARNGRIM
At the Dunes Resort
Friday August 3rd & Saturday August 4th
Showtime 8:30pm outside on the Deck
Tickets available @ www.reactionshows.com

July 4th Weekend

Friday June 29th DJ Mark Vallese, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Saturday June 30th 4th Pool Kick Off, PM DJ Joe Gauthreaux, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Sunday July 1st Tea Dance 4-7p DJ Mark Vallese, 7-close DJ Roland Belmares, Cabaret Niah Whitely

Monday July 2nd Pool Parties All Day!

Tuesday July 3rd DJ Mark Vallese, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Dunes Divas

Wednesday July 4th Tea Dance 4-7DJ Mark Vallese, 7-close DJ Tony Moran, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Thursday July 5th Pool DJ & Men of Manwatch 1-6pm, PM DJ Mark Vallese, Cabaret Karaoke

Friday July 6th Pistol Pete Pool Party, PM DJ Ralphie Rosario, Men of Manwatch, Cabaret Niah Whitley

Saturday July 7th Porn at the Pool w/Chi Chi LaRue 1-6pm, PM DJ Paulo, Cabaret Kelly & Rick

Sunday July 8th Tea Dance DJ Mark Vallese 4-midnight, Cabaret Dunes Divas