Today's a decent one to start the weekend, high near 71 and mostly cloudy, with just a slim 10 percent chance of rain. Hang onto that window, though, because Saturday brings the real change: a wetter system rolls through with a high near 63 and rain likely most of the day. Sunday improves again, high near 69 with a lighter 20 percent shower chance.

Lake conditions follow the same swing. Today's still manageable out there, but wave heights build through tonight and into Saturday as winds shift out of the east and southeast, with the open lake forecast calling for rougher pier conditions by Saturday afternoon. Water's holding in the low-to-mid 60s.

The verdict: Get your outdoor plans in today or push them to Sunday. Saturday's the one to spend indoors.

7 Day Glance: The wet stretch clears by Monday, with highs settling into the low-to-mid 60s and lighter rain chances through midweek, a good sign for anyone with plans stretching into next week.

Muskegon's Farmers Market keeps its regular Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday hours this week, 8 AM to 2 PM, with fall produce filling out the stalls. Grand Haven's market has settled into its new home at Mulligan's Hollow for the rest of the season, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 AM to 1 PM.

The Michigan Irish Music Festival plays out its final stretch at Heritage Landing this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, with multiple stages of Celtic music, the Celtic Kitchen, and a marketplace of Irish goods. Sunday's the move if you haven't gone yet, everyone through the gates by noon gets in free.

If books are more your speed, comedian and author Joel Walkowski stops by downtown tonight from 6 to 7:30 PM for a talk and signing on his new book, Honolulu Blues, a memoir built around growing up a Detroit Lions fan.

And Sunday afternoon, the Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective turns Duncan Woods into an open-air gallery for A Walk in the Woods, an outdoor art experience and pop-up sale, 1 to 4 PM, weather permitting.

The Frauenthal's got the weekend's two biggest shows. Elvis Costello & The Imposters bring their Radio Soul! tour to the theater tonight at 7:30, a rare stop on a limited run of North American dates, if you're holding tickets don't sit on them. Saturday flips the mood entirely with A Solitary Man, a Neil Diamond tribute that's become a Frauenthal regular.

Down at the waterfront, the Musical Fountain keeps its fall Friday-Saturday schedule going with two theme nights: tonight is Made In Michigan & Motown, a playlist built entirely from artists who call the state home, and Saturday flips to Boys Night Out, a boy-band double feature for anyone still loyal to NKOTB or BSB. Both shows run 8:30 to 9:30 PM at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, free as always.

The Deck keeps its beachside run going too, Jedi Mind Trip plays tonight, Global Village takes Saturday.

In Grand Haven, the Kirby House has acoustic solo acts both nights, 7 to 10:30, a solid dinner-and-a-show combo downtown.

And if you want live music with your empanadas, Saturday's Hispanic Fiesta brings its own lineup of bands, DJs, and dance performances to the waterfront all day. Full details up top.

Rain's moving in behind today, so get your time on the water in early if you can. Waves build through tonight and into Saturday as winds swing east and southeast ahead of the weekend system, with the open lake forecast calling for swells building into the 6 to 9 foot range Friday night and staying rough through Saturday before easing back Sunday. Water's holding in the low-to-mid 60s, cooling as fall settles in.

Piers get dangerous fast once waves like this show up, so skip the pier walk Saturday and check the flags before anyone gets near the water this weekend, especially at Grand Haven State Park and Pere Marquette.

For the anglers: Salmon fishing is still producing off both cities as Chinook run deep, glow spoons and glow plugs remain the standard play at that depth.

Melli's Deli gets its own mention below, but if sandwiches aren't calling your name, Legends Bar & Grill in downtown Muskegon runs Wine on Western every Wednesday, 4 to 9 PM, a 9-ounce pour at 6-ounce prices alongside small plates like a charcuterie board and stuffed mushrooms. Worth building a Wednesday around.

If you're at Irish Fest this weekend, Bob & Bernie's Pub inside the festival grounds is worth a stop even outside the main stages, and the Celtic Kitchen has food vendors running the length of the festival.

And if Saturday takes you to the Hispanic Fiesta instead, the Mercado brings in more than 20 Latino-owned vendors, plenty of them food. Come hungry either way this weekend.

Grand Haven's unbeaten start is behind them, but the Bucs are still 2-1 and host East Kentwood tonight in a real O-K Red test, the Falcons are 3-0 and lead the league. Across town, Muskegon and Reeths-Puffer renew their rivalry, Muskegon's 1-2 and R-P's 2-1 heading in.

Fremont's the story nobody saw coming: a 1-8 season last year has flipped into a 3-0 start behind senior quarterback Brayden Crosley, drawing early area-player-of-the-year buzz. They host Ludington tonight looking to stay unbeaten.

Mona Shores is home against Grand Rapids Union, and the rest of the county rounds out a full Friday night board.

Full schedule, Friday, Sept 18, 7 PM:

Pick a stadium, most of the county's in action tonight.

Melli's Deli opened this January in Grand Haven's Washington Square, and it's already carved out its own lane downtown. Owner Owen Mulcahy grew up visiting East Coast bodegas and sandwich shops on family trips and built Melli's around that feel: cold subs ready to grab and go, a build-your-own sandwich counter, and a New York City-style hot dog cart. The name is a nod to a family nickname, one he wanted to keep close. It's small, no-frills, and fits right into the neighborhood.

📍 1115 Washington Ave, Grand Haven
🕐 Tue-Sat 11 AM-6 PM, Sun 11 AM-3 PM, closed Mondays

Grand Haven's Lake Forest Cemetery has a reputation, and it's not just about who's buried there. Climb the winding staircase at the center of the grounds up to Ferry Hill, where the town's founder Reverend William Ferry has rested since 1867, and locals will tell you to watch for a bluish glow near his tombstone. They call it the Blue Man, said to be Ferry's spirit still keeping watch over the family plot he's guarded for well over a century. The staircase carries its own legend too, some call it the Stairway to Heaven, others the Stairway to Hell, depending on who's telling it. True or not, stand there alone after dark and you'll understand why the story's lasted this long.

Two festivals, a rivalry game, and one very persistent ghost story. Pick your weekend and get out there before the rain rolls in. See you Tuesday.