Agriculture

PHOTO GALLERY: The 2026 National Asparagus Festival parade

June 13, 2026

HART — Oceana County residents and visitors celebrated the 2026 National Asparagus Festival during the Joan Glover Royale Parade Saturday, June 13, carrying on a 53-year tradition. OCP photos by Allison Scarbrough, News Editor   ___________________ Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your…

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Shannon Beishuizen crowned 2026 Asparagus Queen

June 13, 2026

HART — Shannon Beishuizen was crowned the 2026 Asparagus Queen during the National Asparagus Festival’s kickoff party Friday night, June 13, at the Oceana County Fairgrounds. Sami Weesies was crowned the Runner Up. Shannon and Sami will ride on the National Asparagus Festival float in the Joan Glover Royale Parade Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. ___________________ Please Support Local…

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Asparagus eating champ

June 13, 2026

HART — James Jensen won the National Asparagus Festival’s first-ever asparagus eating contest during the kickoff party Friday night, June 12, at the Oceana County Fairgrounds. With the victory, Jensen earned the title of Grand Marshal of the National Asparagus Festival Joan Glover Royale Parade, which is set for Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. Please Support Local News and…

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53rd Annual National Asparagus Festival set for this weekend

June 11, 2026

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor  HART — Every year thousands of people flock to Oceana County to celebrate asparagus season in the “Asparagus Capital of the World” during the National Asparagus Festival.  Oceana County is the top producer of asparagus in Michigan, accounting for about 80 percent of Michigan’s asparagus production, and Michigan is the leading producer in the country. …

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Queen candidates receive hands-on asparagus lesson

May 19, 2026

WEARE TOWNSHIP — Candidates for the National Asparagus Festival queen title recently received a lesson about asparagus during a tour of the West Michigan Research Station.  Under the guidance of Justin Adams, the women learned about the local asparagus industry; what growing conditions make a good crop; how imported asparagus is affecting the US asparagus industry; and the various types…

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