CALUMET, Mich. (WZMQ) – The pasty…It’s been called Yooper soul food, and the dish most associated with the Upper Peninsula, in the Keweenaw, it’s sacred. For 20 years this iconic cuisine has been celebrated at Calumet’s Pasty Fest, and this year was no different. Saturday’s Pasty Fest attracted hundreds of pasty lovers to downtown. Jesse Wiederhold of Visit Keweenaw, explains how important this festival is.
“It’s the biggest day of the year for Calumet, and to see that it continues to grow year after year. That’s really important, you know, for the economic development and just getting people through downtown. It’s so fun to hang out here,” said Wiederhold.
This year’s theme was all about Medieval Larpers. What are Larpers? Live action role players, who were seen everywhere. Pasty Fest organizer, Rebekka Mikkola says the role players really get into character.
“You dress up as you know, a medieval person, you know, you can develop your character,” said Mikkola. “It’s just a fun way to, you know, test yourself on creating a character, and then you have fake battles.”
The festival included dozens of vendors, classic cars, the Pasty Pull, live music and of course a pasty eating contest, this year’s winner, was Greg Esser.
“Upon signing up for this past eating competition, I had never eaten a pasty. I’ve been in Calumet, for the last two weeks,” said Esser. “I’ve warmed up to the food. They were served a little cold today. So, that might have done me a disservice. But I still got through two and a half.”
And if you’re wondering who won the Pasty Bake Off, it was first-time winner, East Fork Pasty Company of Calumet.
