Each year the Empire Asparagus Festival crowns winners of its poetry and recipe contests. This year’s poetry winner is Joseph Povolo for his poem “High on Asparagus.” The recipe contest staff published a booklet (click here to view it) which contains recipes submitted by participants in this year’s contest. Together they reflect the creativity of our community—from classic appetizers and salads to unexpected uses for one of Michigan’s favorite spring vegetables.
“Come on in,” says Paul Skinner as he opens the door at the Miser’s Hoard. “Don’t mind them. Hush,” he says to Brandi and Gizmo, the Shih Tzu security team. The tall, ungainly building on Front Street in Empire is home to the two tiny guard dogs, Paul and Shelly Skinner, and the Miser’s Hoard, their catch-all store which sells an eclectic mix of gifts, jewelry, furnishings, accessories and antiques—which celebrates 25 years of operation in Empire this year. And more than that, if you want to know the truth. It’s also the headquarters for the Empire Asparagus Festival and the Empire Hill Climb, both of which Paul oversees. That’s quite a bit for one place in the diminutive village in the southwestern corner of Leelanau County. But the Skinners make it work.
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.
Each June the Glen Arbor Sun publishes the winning poem and recipe from the annual Empire Asparagus Festival, which was held this year on June 7. This year’s Asparagus Poetry contest winner was third grader Caroline Smith for her poem, “I’ve Been Eating Asparagus.” The recipe contest winner was Empire resident PJ Ehalt for her “Asparagus Cheesecake” recipe.
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.
The Empire Asparagus Festival’s “Ode to Asparagus Poetry Competition” on June 1 attracted 25 entries and 100 attendees at the Glen Lake Community Library. The winning poem, as selected by the audience, was “Astrological Asparagus” by Joseph Povolo. Meanwhile, one Empire family swept the Asparagus Recipe Contest held at the Town Hall. Don Cunningham won the People’s Choice Grand Prize for his “Asparagus Benedict” recipe. Carol Cunningham finished second for her “Spargelsalat” (German asparagus salad). Carol’s brother Duane Schmidt won third place for his “Asparagus Peppers” recipe.
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.
A-spear-ing poets are invited to come share their asparagus themed verse at the Ode to Asparagus, the Glen Lake Community Library’s contribution to the annual Empire Asparagus Festival, which will be held on Saturday, June 1 at 2 pm. Poems of all styles are welcome—sonnets, haiku, epic, even limericks. Submit your poems to the library by Friday, May 31, via mail, email, or drop them off at the library directly. The Glen Lake Library will also host Jane Elder, author or “Wilderness, Water & Rust” on May 30.
Here are the winners from the 2023 Empire Asparagus Festival poetry and recipe contests. This year’s festival was held on Saturday, June 3.
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.