The beloved and spear-ited 15th annual Empire Asparagus Festival is back! Join us this year for asparagus eats, groovy beats and community feats!

Friday

Dance, Fish Boil, and Pig Roast
7pm to 10pm | Front Street

Dance to the music of Jack Pine and enjoy an old-fashioned Great Lakes fish boil and pig roast.

Entrance $5 | Fish boil $16
Pulled pork sandwich with all the fixings $12

Saturday

5k Kick Yer Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk

9am: Registration begins | 10am: Race begins | Empire Public beach

Enjoy a scenic run by the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan and finish at the pavilion for refreshments and prizes. All runners get free entry to festival, a free drink ticket, and a customized t-shirt (combined valued of $50.00) — just show your run number!

Registration begins at 9am at Empire Public beach. Entry fee is $40 for standard runners and $25 for walkers and juniors up to 17 years old. All entry fees include t-shirt.

Asparagus Recipe Contest and Cook-Off
Noon | Empire Township Hall

Free to enter, this competition is open to anyone who loves asparagus! Participants create asparagus dishes for the public to sample while competing for cash prizes. This year, food vendors can also participate in the new professional category.

Empire Area Museum Open House
1pm to 4pm | 11544 S Lacore Rd.

“Ode To The Asparagus” Poetry Contest
2pm | Glen Lake Community Library

Celebrate a local rite of spring by listening to (or sharing your own!) asparagus-themed poetry. All styles of poems are acceptable and prizes will be awarded. Check out the Glen Lake Library expansion plans!