Empire holds 15th annual Asparagus Festival
From staff reports
The quirky local festival featuring the pungent green stalk returns to Leelanau.
The Empire Asparagus Festival returns for its 15th delectable year. This year’s festival is the weekend of May 18-20 with asparagus themed events and entertainment planned for all three days. Friday night will kick off the festival with the block party featuring live music from Jack Pine and an old-fashioned Great Lakes fish boil as a new option this year in addition to the usual pig roast. Entrance to the festival will be $5; children under 16 get in free, and tickets are available online.
You can work up an appetite Saturday morning running the Kick Yer Ass-paragus 5K, then head downtown for the rest of the festivities. All runners will receive free entry to the festival, a free drink ticket, and a customized t-shirt—just show your bib number.
The big tent on Front Street will be open all day Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m., featuring a Children’s [soda] bar sponsored by Northwoods Soda until 5 pm. Sunday morning join the Leelanau County Zonta Club at the Empire Township Hall for an asparagus and eggs brunch to cap off the weekend.
This year we will once again partner with Bay Area Recycling for Charities to be a Zero Waste certified event.
Visit the Empire Chamber’s website for the complete schedule, or follow the Asparagus Fest on Facebook for updates.
Friday, May 18
Dance, Fish Boil, and Pig Roast
7pm to 10pm | Front Street
Dance to the music of Jack Pine and enjoy an old-fashioned Great Lakes fish boil and pig roast. Entrance $5 | Fish boil $16
Pulled pork sandwich with all the fixings $12
Saturday, May 19
5k Kick Yer Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk
9 a.m.: Registration begins | 10am: Race begins | Empire Public beach
Enjoy a scenic run by the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan and finish at the pavilion for refreshments and prizes. All runners get free entry to festival, a free drink ticket, and a customized t-shirt (combined valued of $50.00) — just show your run number!
Registration begins at 9 at Empire Public beach. Entry fee is $40 for standard runners and $25 for walkers and juniors up to 17 years old. All entry fees include t-shirt.
Asparagus Recipe Contest and Cook-Off
Noon, Empire Township Hall
Free to enter, this competition is open to anyone who loves asparagus! Participants create asparagus dishes for the public to sample while competing for cash prizes. This year, food vendors can also participate in the new professional category.
Empire Area Museum Open House
1-4 p.m., 11544 S Lacore Rd.
“Ode To The Asparagus” Poetry Contest
2 p.m. Glen Lake Community Library
Celebrate a local rite of spring by listening to (or sharing your own!) asparagus-themed poetry. All styles of poems are acceptable and prizes will be awarded. Check out the Glen Lake Library expansion plans!
All day: Asparagus Eats + Wine and Beer Tasting Noon to 10 p.m. Under the Big Tent
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Keith Scott Blues Guitarist Noon to 2 p.m. Andre Villoch 2 to 3:30 p.m. 5th Gear Band 5 to 7 p.m. The Benzie Playboys 7:30 to 10 p.m.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Children’s Magic Show with Gordon Russ 3:30 p.m.“
Miss Asparagus on Stilts” presented by Cherry Life Productions 2 to 4 p.m. Northwood Soda Children’s Bar Open noon to 5 p.m. Asparagus Queen
FOOD VENDORS
Scalawags Fish & Chips Norconk’s Fresh Asparagus Art’s Tavern Glen Arbor Deerings Asparagus Brats Pleva’s Meats Shipwreck Cafe Rockwich Nepalese Have Another Holiday Hills Mel & Fell Village Inn
DRINK VENDORS
St. Ambrose Cellars Right Brain Brewery Asparagus Beer Lake Ann Brewery Selection of Leelanau County Wines Owens Soft Water
Sunday, May 20
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Empire Township Hall
Enjoy an asparagus breakfast by the Zonta Club of Leelanau County $10 per plate
