The Story of Kraut Fest

Algomah Acres Honey House Meadery is excited to be hosting this year's Kraut Festival spearheaded by Dale Venema of Ontonagon.  This year's festival will take place on Saturday Oct. 24th from 12-5 PM at 611 Plank Rd. in Greenland, MI.  Admission is free and this family friendly event is open to the public.  Kraut based foods will available for purchase all day.  Vendors will also be on site with culinary themed items, produce and educational materials.  

From 12-2 PM we will feature various speakers and demonstrations, and from 2-5 we will have live music!  The band line-up is as follows:  

2-3:  Space Cabbage  https://www.facebook.com/spacecabbage

3-4 Neverlund https://www.facebook.com/neverlund
4-5 Wildhack  https://www.facebook.com/wildhackmusic

Venema, of Ontonagon, is passionate about farming and also preserving the tradition of kraut making.  He is a "Renaissance Man" skilled in many areas of the arts and sciences.  He is also an inspiring mentor and teacher to the younger generation of farmers and musicians emerging today.  

John Hersman, brewer and chef from Algomah Acres Honey House Meadery, picked up 250 lb of cabbages from Dale today, and will shred it and get it fermenting for the Oct. 24th event.  This year we will have pre-made kraut available for purchase along with the tradition of being able to purchase a bucket of shredded cabbage ready to become sauerkraut.  We ask that you pre-order your bucket so we can have it ready for you to pick up at the festival.  You can do this online at http://krautfestontonagoncounty.blogspot.com  or send a check in the mail.  

This year the Keweenaw Co-op and the Marquette Co-op are helping to sponsor the event.  Local farmers Wintergreen Farms and Northharvest will have vendor booths, along with others.  

Hersman in conjunction with the Harvest Country Market of Mass City, will be producing some homemade artisan sausages for the event.  Mead is produced on site and there will be some special brews for pairing with kraut based cuisine.  

Arlene Coco Buscombe, Servsafe and Culinary Instructor is also an event coordinator and will be sharing recipes for some kraut based salads that will win over any doubters.  She has recipes for various salads made with kraut and other fruits, vegetables, and spices.  Breads and cakes can also be made with kraut to add moisture and flavor to the recipes.  

This will be a celebration of passing on traditions, culinary arts, music, and creativity.  Melissa and John of Algomah Meadery are excited and honored to be hosting this festival, as it aligns perfectly with their mission as a community center promoting the arts.  

For more information please call 906-883-3894 or e-mail algomahacres@live.com.  Check out the event page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/1626461717619168/

Check out our blog for event details and to  pre-order your kraut buckets.  http://krautfestontonagoncounty.blogspot.com/