Bucket)CountyList

By Sarah Miller Travel Writer

Two piles of vanilla ice cream, two piles of chocolate ice cream, one pile of twist ice cream with an Oreo bottom–all topped with strawberries, hot fudge, hot caramel, cherries, and whipped cream.

Another must-eat food here is asparagus. You cannot truly appreciate the tender crisp stalk of asparagus, until you’ve tasted a freshly plucked spear from the sandy soil of Oceana County in West Michigan. This area holds the title for “The Asparagus Capital of the Nation,” and you can buy them fresh from farmer’s markets or try them fried with dipping sauce. Either way is incredible, and a perfect way to taste summer at its best.

Cool off at one of several area Silver Lake Sand Dunes/Hart Beaches like Silver Lake State Park or Mears State Park in Pentwater along Lake Michigan. Silver Lake State Park is home to a historic working lighthouse built in the late 1870’s. The red-brick lighthouse provides the perfect backdrop to watch the sunrise or set. Then, retire to one of several resorts or campgrounds on the lake.

What’s the fuss? 50 Years of Asparagus!

Every day here feels like a summer celebration, but if you time your visit right you can sneak in the added bonus of a festival. June 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Asparagus Festival on June 10th and 11th. Fresh asparagus grown in Michigan’s sandy soil is a local delight. Classic events like the Ryan Walsworth Spear It 5K, Taste of Asparagus, parade, and a fly-in pancake breakfast. Add in music, fireworks set against the lake, and this is summer!

Why celebrate asparagus though? To say asparagus is a big deal in Oceana County is an understatement. Just ask Michele Amstutz, the National Asparagus Festival President and 2008 Mrs. Asparagus. “Asparagus has been an integral part of our county for years,” she says. “Oceana County is one of the leading producers nationally for asparagus.” As the popularity of asparagus continues to soar, so has the festival’s popularity. “Nothing tastes better than fresh West Michigan asparagus! So why not continue to celebrate it!”

The 17th Annual Balloon Glow presented by Ozark Chevrolet is scheduled for June 16th at the Finley River Park in downtown Ozark.

The festival and parking lot will be open 5 - 11 p.m.. Due to the number of attendees in previous years,it is recommended that you arrive early.

Various ponsorships provide the funding for the Balloon Glow that benefits Children’s Smile Center! This allows the Balloon Glow to be offered FREE to the public!

7 p.m.: EXCLUSIVE VIP Sponsor Dinner and Experience.

The Glow at Dusk event will take place between 8-9:30 p.m. The hot-air balloons are tethered to the ground so all attendees can watch the massive balloons inflate and glow for approximately an hour and a half at dusk. This is a night-time balloon glow exhibit and not a launch; hot-air balloons do not launch into the air when it is dark.

WEATHER NOTE: The 17th Annual Balloon Glow presented by Ozark Chevrolet is highly dependent on weather conditions. If there are high wind speeds or rain in the area, it is possible the balloon pilots will decide not to inflate. This decision will be made minutes prior to the scheduled event. Updates will be given on this event page as they become available.

To support Children’s Smile Center’s efforts to bring this incredible event to Southwest Missouri and to fund our mission to provide oral health and wellness to children through access to quality dental care, please contact our clinic at 417-582-5439.

For more information on Missouri