8th Annual Empire Asparagus Fest!
On May 20th, and 21st join the Village of Empire at its 8th Annual Empire Asparagus Festival Located in Downtown Empire.
Help celebrate the arrival of this welcome spring bounty by penning a tribute and submitting it in the 2011 Empire Asparagus Festival Poetry Contest.
Entries will be judged in two age groups - youth (ages 18 or younger) and adult - with prizes awarded in each group. Submit your verse by Saturday, May 14th to:
Glen Lake Community Library
PO Box 325, Empire, MI 49630
Or email it to info@glenlakelibrary.net with the subject line Asparagus Poetry.
Asparagus Festival Lodging Options
Click here to view the Schedule of Events Click here to find Empire and get directions from Google Maps
Click to download: Recipe Contest Entry Form.doc
2011 Schedule of Events
Join the Village of Empire at its 8th Annual Empire Asparagus Festival Located in Downtown Empire
This Year's Festival will be a "ZERO WASTE EVENT" with Recycling Services provided by Bay Area Recycling for Charities Inc. visit their website at
www.mybarc.org
Friday, May 20th
6.30PM Empire Township Hall Empire Area Museum Presents
A Film of the play by the Leelanau Historical Society “Whaddaya Give” Inspired by the Roen Family Auction in Empire in the 80’s.
90 minutes of wonderful entertainment for the whole family
Donations ACCEPTED FREE POPCORN!!!
Dance & Pig Roast 7.00pm to 10.00pm
$5.00 Admission Fee
Come Dance & Dine on Art's Taverns famous Pig Roast and wash it down with one of your favorite Right Brain Brewery Brew!! It will be a foot-stompin' butt swingin' good time!!
Music provided by the The Benzie Playboys click here to visit their site!
Saturday, May 21st
5K Kick Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk
9 a.m.Registration at the Beach
Run Starts at 10.00am
Entry fee of $15.00
Click here for Race details and REGISTRATION FORMS
Asparagus recipe contest Asparagas cook-off
at 11:00 a.m. in the Town Hall. Bring your favorite asparagus dish and recipe to enter to win fabulous prizes. Print and complete the Recipe Contest Entry Form and bring it with your entry. To download the entry form see above the list of Vendors and Sponsors.
Empire Area Museum will be open 1PM to 4 PM click here to visit our site
Asparagus Eats/Wine and Beer Tasting 11:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m. (These vendors will only be charging $5.00 or less for each small plate)
Under the BIG Tent featuring...
Maybings Ethnic Organic Foods / Asapagus Crepes
Leelanau Cheese/ melted Raclette on grilled asparagus click here to visit this site
Great lakes Tea & Spice click here to visit this site
Scalawags Fish & Chips/ Fish & Chips with Asparagus Tarter Sauce click here to visit this site
Stone House Bread/ fresh aspragus focaccia and baguettes with asparagus spread. click here to visit this site
Norconks Asparagus/Fresh & Pickled Asparagus
Empire Village Inn /Spring Asparagus Pizza
Gemmas Coffee Shop & Baked Goods/ Asparagus Croissants Asparagus Scones and fresh brewed coffee click here to visit this site
Joes Friendly Tavern/ Cream of Asparagus soup click here to visit this site
Phils On Front/ click here to visit this site
Arts Tavern/Deep Fried Asparagus in Beer Batter click here to visit this site
Deerings Market and Bakery/Asparagus Brats
BLU /Asparagus French Baguettes and Asian Noodle & Asparagus Salad click here to visit this site
Trattoria Stella click here to visit this site
Black Star Farms click here to visit this site
Right Brain Brewery/Asparagus Beer click here to visit this site
Forty-Five North Winery/click here to visit this site
Acoustic Mead click here to visit this site
Music & Entertainment brought to you by Bo Bossa Swing & Jazz band click here to visit their site!
Kids Activities!
Kids asparagus hat making & sidewalk chalk will be available on front street between 12:00 noon and 2.30pm
The "GREEN" Parade
Non Motorized Asparagus Parade: 3 p.m., all are welcome, no entry fee required, but MUST salute asparagus! Walk, Pedal, March, Dance or come on Horse Back.
ASPARAGUS Bar-B-Q! 7.00pm
Come and Dine on Great Local Fare brought to you by Joe's Friendly Tavern of Empire
Charcoal Grilled Flank Steak served on a Bed of Asparagus & Quinoa Salad Topped with Goat Cheese, Pine Nuts & Grilled Asparagus Tips, Drizzled with Extra Olive Oil & Seasoned with Cracked Black Pepper.
Asparagus Sweet Potato & Spinach Stuffed Crepes Topped with Fresh Herbs & Manchego Cheese
Salad of Spring Greens, Grilled Aspargus Tips, Red Onion & Pear Gorgonzola Vinegrette.
Draft Right Brain Brewery Beer Available!!
Great Dancing & Foot Tapping Music Brought to you by "Who Hit John?" click here to visit their site!
Sunday May 22nd
Empire Eagles Famous Breakfast 8am to noon at the Empire Township Hall
Click Here To Join the Empire Asparagus Festival Facebook Page!
The Empire Asparagu Festival Is Among The Wierdest World Festivals!