Empire Asparagus Festival

Empire has no asparagus industry to speak of - just one farmer south of town - but every May wild spears come up in the ditches and meadows around Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the village's 400 residents decided that was reason enough. They dress in asparagus costumes, parade down three blocks of downtown, and hold an 'Ode to Asparagus' poetry contest where local bards outdo each other honoring the vegetable. There's also a community cook-off and a 5K called the Kick-Yer-Assparagus Run.

Dates

Early June (2027 dates TBA)

Town

Empire, Michigan

Venue

Downtown Empire, MI

Price

Paid (~$10)

Type

Harvest