LMC Hosting Presentation on 120-Year History of Blossomtime Festival

The free public event will explore the origins and evolution of the long-running Southwest Michigan tradition.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Lake Michigan College is planning a presentation on the history of the Blossomtime Festival, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. The event, titled 'Deep Roots & Beautiful Blooms: The History and Heritage of Blossomtime,' will feature guest speakers discussing the history of fruit farming in the area and sharing archival materials from the Israelite House of David. The presentation will also include a display of historic items from past Blossomtime celebrations.

Why it matters

The Blossomtime Festival is the oldest and largest multi-community festival in the United States, making it a unique tradition in Southwest Michigan. This presentation provides an opportunity for the public to dive deeper into the rich history and evolution of the event over the past 12 decades.

The details

The free public presentation will be held on Sunday, March 23 from 4 to 5 p.m. in room L-311 of the LMC Main Building in Benton Harbor. Lia McCoskey of the LMC English faculty has been working with three historians to prepare for the event, which will feature presentations from Jayson Otto, a PhD candidate at Michigan State University, as well as Olivia Beebe and Neave Carroll from the Israelite House of David Archives and Collections.

  • The Blossomtime Festival is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year.
  • The presentation will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2026 from 4 to 5 p.m.

The players

Lia McCoskey

A member of the English faculty at Lake Michigan College who has been working with historians to prepare the presentation on the history of the Blossomtime Festival.

Jayson Otto

A PhD candidate at Michigan State University who will be presenting research on the history of fruit farming in the area as part of the Blossomtime history presentation.

Olivia Beebe

A representative from the Israelite House of David Archives and Collections who will be sharing archival materials and helping to explore the history of the Blossomtime Festival.

Neave Carroll

A representative from the Israelite House of David Archives and Collections who will be sharing archival materials and helping to explore the history of the Blossomtime Festival.

Lake Michigan College

The college hosting the free public presentation on the history of the Blossomtime Festival.

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What they’re saying

“The event has been around for 120 years this year, and it's something that, even though we're still celebrating it, it has a really rich past. So, we wanted to look at that past and how it has been shaped by events and led to what we see today.”

— Lia McCoskey, English faculty, Lake Michigan College (wsjm.com)

“It's actually the first such event historically anywhere in the United States. It's the oldest and largest multi-community festival. So it is really unique and I think that's why it's important to look at its history and to really appreciate the tradition.”

— Lia McCoskey, English faculty, Lake Michigan College (wsjm.com)

What’s next

The presentation on the history of the Blossomtime Festival will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2026 from 4 to 5 p.m. in room L-311 of the LMC Main Building in Benton Harbor.

The takeaway

This presentation provides a unique opportunity for the public to learn about the rich 120-year history and evolution of the Blossomtime Festival, which is the oldest and largest multi-community festival in the United States. By exploring the origins and development of this long-running Southwest Michigan tradition, attendees can gain a deeper appreciation for the festival's significance and enduring legacy.