June 8-10, 2012

In celebration of Oceana County's most famous crop--the National Asparagus Festival is an annual event, held in mid-June and alternates between the towns of Shelby and Hart. Asparagus was first cultivated in Greece, and is derived from the Greek word meaning "stalk" or "shoot."

Asparagus is perhaps a lesser-known vegetable than broccoli or carrots, but its nutritional value is one of the highest. It is a good source of folic acid, potassium, and fiber, contains no fat or cholesterol and has less than 5 calories per spear. Fresh asparagus can be steamed or boiled for 5-8 minutes, so preparation is fast and easy. Only California and Washington produce more asparagus than Michigan.

Here is the 2012 schedule. Check back for updates.

Friday, June 8

NAF Information Tent, located in the art fair, 10am-6pm.
Arts & Crafts Fair, downtown Hart in front of courthouse, 10am-6pm.
Family activities: Presented by Bouncers & More: Adena Line Rush II, Cliff Hanger, All Star Sports Center and more; co-sponsored by Hart Main Street Program. $$$
Asparagus Dinner & Mrs. Asparagus Pageant, Shelby High School Jazz Band, Oceana Singers, Shelby High School, $15/person, $25/couple, dinner 6pm-7:30pm, pageant 7:30pm.

Saturday, June 9

NAF Information Tent, located in the art fair, 9am-5pm.
Spear-It 5k Run/Walk, Silver Lake Dune Town Mini-Mall, registration 7:30am-8:30am. $$$
Arts & Crafts Fair, downtown Hart in front of courthouse, 9am-5pm.
Asparagus Farm Tours, depart from NAF Information Tent, 10am.
NAF Food Show, Knights of Columbus Building, Washington Street, Hart, 11am-1:30pm. $$$
National Asparagus Festival Royale Parade, downtown Hart (rain or shine), 2pm. Parade entry application form for 2012 is here.
Community Picnic, Hart Commons, downtown Hart, co-sponsored by Shelby Boy Scouts, $5/person, 4pm-7pm.
NAF Evening Concert by the Electric Wombats, Hart Commons, downtown Hart, 7pm-11pm.

Sunday, June 10

Fly-In Breakfast, powered parachute and static aircraft displays, pancake breakfast, Oceana County Airport, East Baseline Road, 7:30am-12pm. $$$
Oceana County Animal Shelter Open House, Baseline Road west of airport, 8am-12pm.
1st Annual NAF All Star Softball Game, Mead Field, Shelby, co-sponsored by Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce, women's and men's games, 1pm.

More information can be found at the National Asparagus Festival website.