March 17–20: Possibly the Busiest Four Days in Elberta–Frankfort History…for more details on the first annual Benzie County Water Festival, see the official site.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

• 4 pm–10 pm St. Patrick’s Day Party, Mayfair Tavern
• 7 pm Elberta Village Council Meeting, Village Community Building

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

• 6 pm Waterlife Documentary Film ($5; Friends of Betsie Bay fundraiser), The Garden Theater
• 9 pm Sub-Prime Blues Band ($5), The Cabbage Shed

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

• 8 am Morning Yoga (donations suggested), Studio on Main
• 9 am–3 pm Grow Benzie Workshop on Hoop Houses and potluck lunch with Mike Hulbert of Creation Farm, Craig Schaaf of Golden Rule Farm, and Nic Welty of 9 Bean Rows Farm; suggested $10 donation, $12 for couples; unheated hoop houses and other simple methods for extending the growing season, 5885 M-115, Benzonia
• 9:30 am Kirby Music, Frankfort Elementary
• 10 am Opening Ceremonies, Frankfort Elementary
• 10:30 am Speaker: Derek Bailey on the Asian Carp, Frankfort Elementary
• 11:30 am Soup Kitchen (local, homemade soup for purchase), Exhibit: Recycling, Art, and more…Take the Water Pledge, Harmonica Workshop with Kirby, Water Barrel Exhibit, Frankfort Elementary
• 12 pm–5 pm Art Opening, Crystal Lake Art Center
• 1 pm Speaker: Rob Karner, Importance of Native Plants, Frankfort Elementary, Snowman Competition, TBA
• 2 pm Greywater Workshop: Valerie Strassberg, Frankfort Elementary, Story Hour with Julie Morris, Benzie Shores District Library
• 3 pm Rain Garden Workshop: Carolyne Thayer & Carol Navarro, Frankfort Elementary, Art Awards, TBA
• 4 pm Speaker: Cyndi Roper, Michigan Clean Water Action, The Garden Theater
• 5 pm Speakers: Hans VanSumeren & Tom Kelly, The Garden Theater
• 6:30 pm Music: May Erlewine & Seth Bernard, The Garden Theater
• 10 pm After party: Airborne or Aquatic ($5), The Cabbage Shed

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

• 8:30 am Water Sermon, Trinity Lutheran Church (and again at 11)
• 1 pm–2 pm Elberta Alert office hour, Elberta Library
• 3 pm Music: Song of the Lakes (donations go to the Friends of the Benzie Bus), The Cabbage Shed
• 5:30 pm–9 pm Documentary Real Dirt on Farmer John Film Night with Opening Party Hors d’Oeuvres, Northern Natural Winery. “Bring an ordurve to share and get comfortable with a glass of organic hard cider or wine (nonalcoholic beverages available) and enjoy a documentary film on farming. Film starts at 7 pm.”