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.
The annual Empire Asparagus Festival, which will be held on Saturday, June 3, invites entries for both its popular recipe and poetry contests. Click here to learn more about submitting your asparagus recipe or poem.
Athena Gillespie, age 20, won the Audience Choice award at this year’s Empire Asparagus Festival poetry contest, held on Saturday, June 4, for her poem “Green Force.” Gillespie also submitted a poem to the contest in 2012, when she was 10 years old. Both poems are published here.
The Empire Asparagus Festival returns following a two-year COVID hiatus. This scaled-back event on Saturday, June 4, features a 5K Kick Yer Ass-paragus Fun Run/ Walk at 10 a.m. at the public beach, a Recipe Contest and Cook-off at noon at the Town Hall, an open house at the Empire Museum from 1-4 p.m., an “Ode to Asparagus” poetry contest at 2 p.m. at the Glen Lake Library, and Asparagus Eats, Wine and Beer Tasting from noon until 6 p.m. under a tent on Main Street.