John E. N. Howard Bandshell — Local services in Saint Joseph

The John E.N. Howard Bandshell was perfect for our wedding! The city made it very easy to rent, and we lucked out and had beautiful weather.

The blue things that actually sit on the bandshell are very rusty, but we covered them with some tulle using industrial sized magnets and it worked great. We also used tulle to rope off the last 8 pews to people would fill in towards the front of the venue.

We rented a trolley through Suncoast Trolley, and did our photos beforehand, so the trolley dropped the photographers and groomsmen off 15 minutes before our ceremony, and then myself (bride) and my bridesmaids did a few laps around town and came back right before the ceremony started. We walked off the trolley and down the aisle, which was perfect to keep hidden from guests before existing the trolley. After we were done with the ceremony we hopped back on the trolley to sign our marriage license. It was the perfect way to add a little hidden “room” at the back of the venue.

We got married May 18 and it was the perfect temperature outside, a bit warm and it drizzled a bit after the ceremony.

There isn't anyone from the city onsite for the event, but it's super easy to pick up the key beforehand (which is really just to use the bathroom). We didn't have any problems logistically.

We used Tim Sewyck from Music Unlimited for music and mics for the ceremony and he was great. Tom Hamel from My West Michigan Wedding was our officiant and he was...

Band performances held here throughout most of the summer are excellent. The orientation of the bandshell is on a hill facing Lake Michigan and immediately adjacent to the St Joseph River. Most performances conclude around sunset. If you're seated in about the 5th row or a bit higher your view of many sunsets are absolutely beautiful. Many of the members of bands performing here are professional musicians drawn from around the area who donate their time. A highly skilled conductor directs the band. Do some on-line research before attending your your first performance to ensure the schedule is up to date. We drive an hour to reach St Joseph on I-94 about six or more times each summer to attend these excellent...

Why these concerts aren't packed is beyond me, but good for us. Easy, free parking, nice bench seats, views of Lake Michigan, walk to St. Joe downtown for dinner or snacks before the music. And best of all, the orchestra of community-based musicians is terrific. BTW, did I say it's free. I probably shouldn't post this -- let's keep...