A Harvest Celebration at the Port Austin Farmers Market!
Harvest Market and Chamber Chili Cook-off: A Day of Fun and Flavor!
On September 28, 2024, Port Austin was alive with excitement as the 2nd Annual Harvest Market and Chamber Chili Cook-off brought together our community for a day filled with fun, flavors, and festivities! The event featured a mix of activities, including trick-or-treating for the kiddos, live chainsaw carving, a vendor costume contest, a thrilling pie-eating contest, and, of course, the highly anticipated chili cook-off.
Trick-or-Treat and Live Chainsaw Carving
Dressed in their festive Halloween costumes, happy kiddos filled the crowd. Making their way around the market, they collected treats from our generous vendors, making it a memorable experience for families. Meanwhile, spectators gathered to witness the extraordinary skill of our live chainsaw carvers, Maylen & Dan Skinner, who deftly transformed blocks of wood into stunning sculptures. Currently, these demonstrations only take place during the Harvest Market, but their carvings can be found at the market every Saturday.
Costume Contest with a Twist
Vendors strutted their stuff in the vendor costume contest, bringing a fun and festive spirit to the event. Visit our Facebook page to vote for the best vendor costume! The public voting period remains open until Thursday at 5pm. Cast a vote by "liking" the best vendor costume. The stakes are high, with first place winning $100, second place $50, and third place receiving $25!
Cast your vote here!
Pie-Eating Showdown: The Rematch
The pie-eating contest was a highlight, featuring fierce competitors Mike Fura and Andrew Samann. After competing in last year's contest, the demand for a rematch was palpable. With Mike as the reigning champion from 2023 and Andrew as the runner-up, the crowd was eager for a showdown. In an intense battle of wills and appetites, Mike Fura emerged victorious once again, holding the title of Port Austin Pie Eating Champion for two consecutive years! The coveted Pie Trophy will be proudly displayed at the The Landing Tavern. You can sign up anytime to compete in the 2025 Harvest Market Pie Eating Contest. Become the Port Austin Pie Eating Champion and have your name carved into the Pie Trophy!
Chili Cook-off: A Delicious Success
The inaugural Chamber Chili Cook-off saw an impressive turnout, with competitors including: The Landing Tavern, Lake Street Local, IGA Port Austin Market, Port Austin Hardware, Port Austin Artist in Residence, The Cove, Cafe 53, Szymanski's Creekside Acres, and our regular market food truck, Farm 2 You. Set up on the Village Green, these talented cooks offered samples to eager tasters while promoting their businesses and organizations. For just $5, attendees could sample all chilis and vote for their favorite!
An official panel of five judges including Lisa Pridnia, Martin Kohl, and family, weighed in on the best chili. With both the judges' and popular votes combined, the winners were crowned. While every chili received rave reviews, first place went to The Cove, with Port Austin Artist in Residence taking second, and Cafe 53 claiming third.
Supporting our Farmers Market
The Chili Cook-off was not only a celebration of our Chamber members culinary talent, but also a fundraiser for the 20th anniversary fund for the Port Austin Farmers Market. We are thrilled to announce that the first time event raised an impressive $620 to support this beloved community staple.
“That was the best $5 meal I’ve had in years!”
Thank you!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in and contributed to the success of our Harvest Market! We would like to extend special recognition to our wonderful volunteers: Dave Kady, Embry Fura, Mike Fura, Jason Hinman, and Linda Creaser. We are truly fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals lending their support in our beautiful community. Your selfless contributions not only enhance the Harvest Market but also make a significant positive impact throughout the year. We sincerely appreciate all that you do!
Looking Ahead
All in all, it was an absolutely beautiful day filled with laughter, community spirit, and amazing food. As one taster claimed, “That was the best $5 meal I've had in years!” The Harvest Market experienced an outstanding turnout in its second year, and we are excited to continue growing this event in the future.
