Welcome to Dowagiac

Whether you live here, or visit for the day or a week or all summer, there is no denying the energy and charm found in this small southwest Michigan town called Dowagiac. We are actually the only “city” in rural Cass County, and we are built around our historic central business district.  We are rural, AND we are encompassed by lake communities.  You could say we have it all—without the traffic!

Dowagiac is passionate about the arts—music, performance and visual.  Summer’s Music in the Park series features a diverse lineup of music from a variety of bands from around the region.  Beckwith Theater features community theater at its best-including an improv night.  A state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center at Dowagiac Middle School hosts youth productions and more, fostering a love of theater in our students and community.   Visual enrichment is evident throughout Dowagiac, with outdoor, public sculptures by nationally renowned artists Rosetta, John Mishler, Richard Hunt, Fritz Olsen, Nina Akamu and others-- a grand SculpTour.

Join us for our seasonal festivals and events.  From Ice Time to BBQ, car shows to Christmas, farm market to family fun, we celebrate community and the good stuff of every season, regardless of what Mother Nature serves us.  Check out our Event Calendar in the following pages.

Our neighboring Sister Lakes provide all sorts of freshwater fun.  Summer homes and rental cottages set the stage for play.   From watersports to snowmobiles, bonfires and s’mores on the beach, or just hanging out at the local brewery, one can find a way to press pause.    

This small town also boasts a college, a hospital, and two museums, golf courses, numerous recreational areas for hiking, specialty shops and restaurants, and hundreds of businesses ready to welcome you. 

When the traffic of your big town gets to you—come visit Dowagiac!   Drive our country roads “in to town” or “out to the lake”.   Either direction, you will find fun and make memories to last a lifetime.

Latest News from your Chamber

  • January 16th, 2025

    2025 Ice Time Festival features Ice Guru

    DOWAGIAC – Now in its 28th year, Dowagiac’s Annual Ice Time Festival, is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, and will once again offer a reason to get out of hibernation and visit Dowagiac.  The winter festival, a Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce event, takes place mostly in the central business district, with some activities hosted by businesses in close proximity to downtown.

    “I am thrilled to share that Ice Sculptures, Ltd. from Grand Rapids, Michigan, will be on site carving a very large, multi-block piece during Dowagiac’s Ice Time Festival,” announced event chairperson Kris Soenen. “ The Ice Guru himself, Randy Finch, will be onsite to create an extra-large marquee ice sculpture out of 10 blocks of ice.” 

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  • September 25th, 2024

    Decorate Dowagiac 2024

    Click ornament to donate

    Decorate Dowagiac LOGO

     

     A new committee, Decorate Dowagiac, announced today their mission of building upon and enhancing the City of Dowagiac’s traditional holiday streetscape decorations.   

    “Our goal is to enhance the basics that are already in stock, and add some new features,” stated Melissa Gunn, committee Chairwoman. “Because commercial décor is expensive, this is going to be a group effort in fundraising in order to build a variety of decorations over a few years.”

    Gunn stated that the first goal is to embellish the City Christmas Tree that is set up in Beckwith Park annually.

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