Pasty Fest Travels to the Past in its 20th Year

Pasty Fest will travel back to the dish’s roots in England with this year’s special medieval theme. Each year hundreds of people will fill 5th Street in Calumet while eating pastries, enjoying various competitions, checking out local vendors, and celebrating the region’s favorite meal. Main Street Calumet director Leah Polzin says that the festival continues to grow in popularity as it enters its 20th year.

So this is the 20th annual Pasty Fest. Over the past five years, we moved it from Agassiz Park to downtown and we’ve seen a tremendous increase in both vendor participation and customer participation, attendees. And it’s been great to know, it’s a lively day in downtown Calumet. We fill the street with vendors and fun activities for the whole family. – Leah Polzin, Director, Main Street Calumet

The medieval theme this year for Pasty Fest will invite live-action role-playing groups from Hancock and Marquette to immerse the community in the fun. Polzin adds that the event’s competitions will also include some medieval themes and aspects.

And so we will have medieval-themed games for people. We’ve invited some groups, Mark West from the Marquette area and a local live-action role-play or reenactment medieval reenactment group from Hancock to come. And they will be putting on reenactments. You may see some blacksmithing, some casting being done as well as Rattan combat. And if you want to come out. put a friend in the stocks for a short period, we can make that happen. – Leah Polzin, Director, Main Street Calumet

Organizers for Pasty Fest do ask volunteers and vendors to please contact Main Street Calumet as soon as possible to get set up. Those interested in taking part in the car show will also need to register with Pasty Fest, poetry slam, or competitions will also need to register for events with Main Street Calumet. Past fest activities next on the 17th will begin at noon. Find more details for Pasty Fest here.