asparagus

Posts

Asparagus is ripe in the land of the Sleeping Bear

Empire’s quirky, fun, day-long Asparagus Festival returns to Leelanau County on Saturday, June 6. The day of peace, music and food offers something for everyone in the family. Events include the Kick-Yer Ass-paragus 5K Fun Run/Walk at Empire’s public beach at 10 am; a pop-up book sale at the Glen Lake Community Library from 11 am-3 pm; a recipe contest in the Township Hall at noon (click on the story for a link to enter); open hours at the Empire Area Museum from 1-4 pm; the Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest at the Library at 2 pm (click on the story for a link to enter); an appearance by the Asparagus Queen on Stilts from 2-4 pm, and the Magic Lady Family Magic Show from 3-4 pm.

Read more
/by

Spear your Asparagus in Empire

The Empire Asparagus Festival returns on Saturday, June 7. This day-long, quirky and unique festival includes a Kick-yer-Assparagus 5 km Fun Run Walk at 10 am, an asparagus recipe contest at noon at the Township Hall, asparagus eats with food vendors, local beers and music from noon-6 pm on closed-off Front St, an open house at the Empire Area Museum from 1-2 pm, the “Ode to Asparagus” poetry contest at 2 pm at the Glen Lake Community Library, a visit from “Miss Asparagus on Stilts” from 2-4 pm, and a Children’s Magic Show with Gordon Russ from 3-4 pm.

Read more
/by

Asparagus Spears Empire

Miss Asparagus on Stilts returns to the Empire Asparagus Festival on Saturday, June 1, from 2-4 pm. The day-long event includes: a Kick-Yer Assparagus 5k Fun Run/Walk at 10 am; a Recipe Contest in the Town Hall at noon; an Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest in the library at 2 pm and Asparagus Eats with food vendors, local breweries and live music from noon-6 pm. Visit EmpireChamber.com for more information.

Read more
/by

Empire Asparagus Festival turns 20

The Empire Asparagus Festival— once lovingly dubbed one of the world’s weirdest festivals by MSN.com—returns for its 20th year on June 3. The fête includes local asparagus eats, great music, and fun activities for all generations. Read the story for the full lineup.

Read more
/by

Empire holds 15th annual Asparagus Festival

, ,

The quirky local festival featuring the pungent green stalk returns to Leelanau. The Empire Asparagus Festival returns for its 15th delectable year.

Read more
/by

All aboard for asparagus

, ,

One of the first harbingers of spring in the veggie world is asparagus, a popular early farmers market pick. People are so enthusiastic about asparagus, said third generation farmer Harry Norconk — who along with wife Barbara owns Norconk Asparagus Farm between Empire and Honor — that they begin inquiring about availability as early as April. “When you get a sunny day about 50 degrees, people start calling to ask when the asparagus will be ready,” he said.

Read more
/by

Empire Asparagus Festival pops out of the ground

It’s spring — at least according to the calendar book, and to the tourism arrival schedule (Memorial Day weekend is just a week away!). And yet, Leelanau County today knows only rain and a chilly 40 degrees (and tomorrow could yield snow!). Nevertheless, Empire’s 11th annual Asparagus Festival commences tomorrow, May 16, with a dance and pig roast from 7-10 p.m. Eat fresh pork supplied by Art’s Tavern and wash it down with asparagus beer from Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City. Then stomp your feet to music from the Benzie Playboys.

Read more
/by

Empire Asparagus is “Big in Japan”

,

Empire’s Asparagus Festival this year drew the attention of Japanese food importer Tsukasa Miyakawa (pictured here with Miser’s Hoard owner Paul Skinner), who intends to purchase locally-grown asparagus and import it to Japan. Miyakawa visited Skinner in Empire on June 3. His company imports approximately 800 tons of frozen asparagus each year, and looks to grow that market by 250 tons over the next five years, according to Skinner. Northern Michigan may become their new supply source.

Read more
/by

Empire Asparagus Festival 2013 Poetry Contest winners

Here are the top three entries from the Empire Asparagus Festival’s 2013 Poetry Contest. The winners are Mary O’Neill, R.D. Andrews and Sylvia Duncan

Read more
/by

Economic investment, community resilience, save 10th annual Empire Asparagus Festival

,

Years ago, when Paul Skinner traveled around Michigan to acquire antiques for his Empire-based business Miser’s Hoard, he was routinely asked, “Where in the world Empire?” But now, as the annual third-weekend-in-May festival celebrates its tenth birthday, Empire is known far and wide for its eclectic celebration of the green stalk. In fact, four years ago MSN.com named the Empire Asparagus Festival among “the World’s Weirdest Festivals” along with South Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival and Thailand’s Monkey Buffet Festival.

Read more
/by