A traditional Bavarian dance troupe from Ft. Wayne joined Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans band to put everyone in a Hoptoberfest mood on S. Monroe Street on Friday night, Oct. 2.
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
COLDWATER, MI. – Downtown Coldwater was filled with hundreds of visitors Friday evening, Oct. 2, as Hoptoberfest and the annual Art Walk combined to create an evening of art, entertainment, and fun.
Hoptoberfest closed off S. Monroe Street for the annual beer party with craft beer tastings at the street-sidebars and restaurants.
The adults-only street party featured Jay Fox and the Jammin Germans, along with a traditional Bavarian dance troupe from Ft. Wayne, performing polkas from 5 to 10 p.m.
The accompanying Art After Hours Art Walk included over 20 downtown businesses, each hosting artists, along with chocolate and wine tastings from 5 to 8 p.m.
With downtown’s social district designation, visitors and residents could move between art displays with drinks on the fall evening.
With a map showing locations, each business became a gallery of local and regional talent. Artists displayed paintings, photography, jewelry, and other works at businesses and venues, allowing attendees to meet creators and view a variety of artwork.
Tibbits Opera House hosted Clovis Bordeaux, who creates puppets often used on the stage.
At Firebird Fine Arts Academy, 19 West Chicago St., Rachel Claar demonstrated how clay becomes pottery, which is available for purchase at the store.
Inside El Taco Loco, Alexia Lopez showed off small-scale ceramics created under the Dinky Studios brand. The future park ranger from Sturgis has made her pottery for the last five years.
She was joined by 17-year-old Camilla Benites, who showed off her paintings.
Hair stylist and trash-turned-art creator Karla Vae Heminger showed off her art in a corner of Jim’s Place.
In John Fulmer’s State Farm office, Tekonsha resident Kalyn Ellis-Ritchie displayed mosaic glass and tile creations.
Main Street Director Kristen Johnson said the combination of art, entertainment, and community gathering helped showcase what downtown Coldwater has to offer while boosting participating businesses.
The event also provided a map to the 15 public art projects that are scattered around downtown, some permanent, others on display for just a year before new ones are rotated in and installed.
Contact Don Reid, [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Hoptoberfest and Art Walk combined for art, entertainment, and fun
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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This story was originally published October 5, 2026 at 10:56 AM.
Source: www.bnd.com
