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A couple thousand people visited Calumet to celebrate Pastys, and come together for the pasty festival’s very first pasty Olympics. The day started early, with many lining up near the Keweenaw National Historic Park’s Visitor center to pick up a pasty voter’s kit. Vendors also gathered near the Calumet Theater to offer fresh produce at the farmer’s market, and show off various artisans crafts along Fifth Street.
The pasty fest Olympics started in grand fashion, with the calumet high school band and Michigan tech university pep band in attendance. As well as a dance performance from the Kivajat Dancers.
Main street calumet executive director Leah Polzin welcomed one and all to the Pasty Fest, to celebrate a delicious dish that brings together Yoopers, from far and wide, to the small village of Calumet. Polzin honored State Representative Greg Markkanen with a special Pasty Fest honor, thanking him for his continued support of the festival.
The Pasty Fest bake off ‘s line stretched around the corner, with many sitting under the nearby tents to pick out their favorite pasty. This year’s field included an outside competitor, the Sheboygan Pasty Company. But they were no match for the reigning bake off champions, Slim’s Café. The little shop from the town of Mohawk, took home the region’s Top Pasty award for the third time in a row.
The new and exciting pasty Olympics included three events; the pasty eating competition, pasty pull, and a relay race. John the Hammer Bates reigns supreme in the Copper Country, besting his record from last year, devouring three and a half pastys. In the pasty pull’s strong man truck pull, William Jahns took home the fastest time and inaugural award. Find a full list of awards below along with some photos from the day.
Pasty Bake Off: Slim’s Cafe- 3rd consecutive win
Art Prize:
1. Ava Raisanen
2. Grandma’s Love Language by Tony Hatala
3. The Pasty Pack by Benjamin Mitchell
Pasty Fest Olypmics
Pasty Pull: William Jahns
Horse Shoes: Justine and Dave
Pasty Eating: Jon “The Hammer” Bates (3.5 pasties)
Pasty Fest Car Show:
Car Show Owner’s Choice: Ray Aho, ’68 Firebird
Car Show People’s: Dave Junti, ’63 Corvette
