30th Annual Cherry Fest
August 3, 2024
Lakeside Park - Jacksonport
9AM - 4PM: Jacksonport Women's Club Bakery Booth featuring fresh baked cherry kolaches, cherry pie. cherry sundaes, hot dogs and cheese curds. A variety of cherry jams, cherry pie filling, and other cherry products will be for sale to benefit the Jacksonport Historical Society.
9AM - 4PM: Juried Arts & Crafts Fair featuring talented artists and craftsmen from the Midwest. And, a Fiber Arts Demonstration!
9AM - 3PM: Cherry Fest Car Show - Tractors, trucks and cars on display at the Erskine Rest Area by the Root Cellar. Show participants register on-site. People's Choice Award at 2 pm.
We had 42 cars registered at the Car Show.
The People's Choice winners were:
1st Place - Pete VanSistine from Egg Harbor with his 1961 VW Single Cab
2nd Place - John Nordstrom from Egg Harbor with his 1941 Cadillac Convertible
3rd Place - Mark Mueller from Egg Harbor with his 1950 Chevy Truck
4th Place - Joe Zepnick from Pulaski with his 1939 Ford Snubnose COE
Thank you to the following businesses
who donated items for the prizes:
Advance Auto Parts
Amoco Car Wash
Bley's Bar
Culver's
Door County Medical Center
Institute Saloon
Island Fever
Kring Automotive
Mike's Port Pub
Napa Auto Parts
9:00AM: Food Booth opens - Hamburgers, brats and pulled pork.
10:30AM - 3:30PM: Music in the park by the Modern Day Drifters in the Big Tent. Picnic tables around the tent or bring your chairs and blankets.
12:00PM - 3:00PM: On the grounds will be Miss Door County and Miss Door County Outstanding Teen.
12:30PM: Registration for the Kid's Penny Hunt by the playground.
1:00PM: Penny Hunt for ages 3-5 and 6-8. Bounce House All Day!
Free Tours of the 1880's Erskine Root Cellar by the car show!
29th Annual Cherry Fest
August 5, 2023!!!!!
9AM - 4PM: Bakery Booth featuring fresh baked cherry kolaches, cherry pie and ice cream and cherry sundaes. A variety of cherry jams, cherry pie filling and other cherry products for sale to benefit the JHS at a booth nearby.
9AM - 3PM: Cherry Fest Car Show - Tractors, trucks and cars on display at the Erskine Rest Area west of the Root Cellar.
Car Show Results 2023
Thank you all for bringing your cars to our 2023 Herb Mueller Memorial Cherry Fest Car Show. We had 37 cars registered and several more who arrived after the noon deadline for registration. Cars came from all over Door County and Appleton, Kewaunee, Two Rivers, Wrightstown, DePere, Luxemburg, Mishicot, Green Bay, Seymour, Pulaski, Abrams, Porterfield, and Memominee, MI.
People's Choice Awards: 1st Place went to Peter VanSistine's 1961 Volkswagon
2nd Place went to Terry Slack's 1976 Triumph
3rd Place went to Ziggie Stauder's 2001 Corvette
Hope to see you all in 2024 on the first Saturday in August!
9AM - 4PM: Juried Arts & Crafts Fair featuring talented artists and craftsmen from the Midwest. Many of your favorite artists from past years returning for this show as well as many amazing first timers.
10:00AM: Lunch Booth opens
10:00AM - 12:00PM: Music in the park by Kaleidoscope. Plays a mix of tangos, Irish fiddle, gypsy-jazz and original songs as well as vocals of old standard pop music.
12:00PM - 4:00PM: Music in the park by Modern Day Drifters. High energy local country and western band popular with one and all.
Registration for the Penny Hunt for the younger set. (Time to be determined)
Penny Hunt for ages 3-5 and 6-8. (Time to be determined)
All musical performances take place in the Big Tent. Picnic table seating around the tent is available.
Cherry Fest August 6, 2022!
In case you missed the 27th annual Cherry Fest---this is what you missed! What a day!!!
Everyone's favorite -- the Annual Car Show!
Proud fan of the green and gold team!
Having lunch and listening to great music!
And who can resist cherry pie with a scoop of ice cream?
Volunteers at the jam and jelly booth!
A great big "thank you" to the many, many volunteers who once again came forward to make Cherry Fest a great event for the Jacksonport Historical Society!
It couldn't be done without you!
CHERRY FEST IS BACK!!!!
27th ANNUAL CHERRY FEST
AUGUST 6, 2022
9AM - 4PM: Bakery Booth featuring fresh baked cherry kolaches, cherry pie and ice cream and cherry sundaes. A variety of cherry jams, cherry pie filling and other cherry products for sale to benefit the JHS at a booth nearby.
9AM - 3PM: Cherry Fest Car Show - Tractors, trucks and cars on display at the Erskine Rest Area west of the Root Cellar.
9AM - 4PM: Juried Arts & Crafts Fair featuring talented artists and craftsmen from the Midwest. Many of your favorite artists from past years returning for this show as well as many amazing first timers.
Restored Erskine Root Cellar – The restored Root Cellar in the Erskine Rest Area will be open for self guided tour.
JHS Publications and Memorabilia - Books containing local history published by JHS and other memorabilia available for purchase near the jam booth by the upper pavilion.
10:00AM: Lunch Booth opens
10:00AM - 12:00PM: Music in the park.
12:00PM - 4:00PM: Music in the park.
Registration for the Penny Hunt for the younger set. (Time to be determined)
Penny Hunt for ages 3-5 and 6-8. (Time to be determined)
All musical performances take place in the Big Tent. Picnic table seating around the tent is available.
26th ANNUAL CHERRY FEST
AUGUST 1, 2020
9AM - 4PM: Bakery Booth featuring fresh baked cherry kolaches, cherry pie and ice cream and cherry sundaes. A variety of cherry jams, cherry pie filling and other cherry products for sale to benefit the JHS at a booth nearby.
9AM - 3PM: Cherry Fest Car Show - Tractors, trucks and cars on display at the Erskine Rest Area west of the Root Cellar. A "People's Choice" award voted by spectators and participants will be given at 3PM.
9AM - 4PM: Juried Arts & Crafts Fair featuring talented artists and craftsmen from the Midwest. Many of your favorite artists from past years returning for this show as well as many amazing first timers.
Restored Erskine Root Cellar – The restored Root Cellar in the Erskine Rest Area will be open for self guided tour.
JHS Publications and Memorabilia - Books containing local history published by JHS and other memorabilia available for purchase near the jam booth by the upper pavilion.
10:00AM: Lunch Booth opens: Hamburgers brats will be provided by Door County Custom Meats owned by Keith and Jaci Birnschein.
10:00AM - 12:00PM: Highland Road local group featuring bluegrass music.
12:00PM - 4:00PM: Modern Day Drifters local group featuring country music.
Registration for the Penny Hunt for the younger set. (Time to be determined)
Penny Hunt for ages 3-5 and 6-8. (Time to be determined)
All musical performances take place in the Big Tent. Picnic table seating around the tent is available.
Cherry Fest August 4, 2018!
In case you missed the 24th annual Cherry Fest---this is what you missed! What a day!!!
Kolache bakers at 5 AM???
Future kolache bakers!
Kolaches still baking!
Many vendors setting up for the big day.
Jams and jellies anyone!
Almost time to shop!
Beautiful day for Cherry Fest!
Now for the car show.
Still selling jam?
Face Painting too!
24th ANNUAL CHERRY FEST
AUGUST 4, 2018
9AM - 4PM: Bakery Booth featuring fresh baked cherry kolaches, cherry pie and ice cream and cherry sundaes. A variety of cherry jams, cherry pie filling and other cherry products for sale to benefit the JHS at a booth nearby.
9AM - 3PM: Cherry Fest Car Show - Tractors, trucks and cars on display at the Erskine Rest Area west of the Root Cellar. A "People's Choice" award voted by spectators and participants will be given at 3PM.
Juried Arts & Crafts Fair featuring talented artists and craftsmen from the Midwest. Many of your favorite artists from past years returning for this show as well as many amazing first timers.
Historical Review Booth – Sponsored by the JHS. Booth featured Jacksonport Family memorabilia on display and the Society's 10 books for sale – Jacksonport Through the
Generations. The restored Root Cellar in the Erskine Rest Area will be open to the public.
10:00AM: Lunch Booth opens: Hamburgers brats will be provided by Door County Custom Meats owned by Keith and Jaci Birnschein.
10:00AM - 12:00PM: Music by Highland Road a local blue grass band.
12:30PM: Registration for the Penny Hunt on the beach for the younger set.
1:00PM: Penny Hunt on the beach for ages 3-5 and 6-8.
12:00PM - 4:00PM: Modern Day Drifters local group featuring country music.
All musical performances take place in the Big Tent. Picnic table seating around the tent is available.
2017 Cherry Fest
August 5, 2017 was a great weather day for the Jacksonport Historical Society’s 23rd annual Cherry Fest. While the rain and high winds delayed the setup for the vendors and planners the
day before, the sunny skies and slight breeze provided the backdrop for a successful Saturday event.
Lori Orthober’s team of bakers and makers created the homemade fresh kolaches, which were again in high demand from the beginning of Cherry Fest until the last sale in the late morning. Beverly Ozburn’s team sold the kolaches, plus cherry pies, ice cream sundaes with cherry sauce, and coffee, water, and cherry sodas until the close at 4 pm at the bakery sales area of the upper pavilion.
The Jacksonport Women’s Club also provided fresh deep fried cheese curds plus a variety of home made cookies for sale.
A mix of food and beverages were available at the lower pavilion with Door County Custom Meats providing grilled cherry brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork sandwiches. The beverage sales team led by Mitch Honold sold a variety of soft drinks and beer, and Randall Manges sold fresh Door County cherries along with local produce. Phyllis Zatlin and family helped with the kolache transportation, and also staffed the popular cherry jams, jellies, and salsa products at the jams and jellies booth.
Beth Chafey-Hon and her team of car show experts managed the third Herb Mueller Memorial Car Show at the Erskine Rest area. The root cellar at the Erskine Rest area was also open for
viewing. Beth also managed the popular Penny Hunt for the children in the early afternoon at the playground area.
The Arts and Craft Show drew a large crowd of customers; and included both returning vendors and new participants. Part of the special interest at this show was the Open Door Bird
Sanctuary display of some of the birds they have rescued and care for and a return of the chain saw wood sculpture artist.
Musical entertainment was provided by Highland Road in the morning, and in the afternoon by Modern Day Drifters. Both of these bands are local; and were very well received and enjoyed
by the guests.
This year the weather was suitable for horse drawn wagon rides from Lakeside Park around the town of Jacksonport. And the Jacksonport Historical Society’s historical site south of town on Highway 57 was open with two old structures available for viewing – the Loritz Home and the Cote Cabin.
To all those who helped make this event a success, a big thank you for your support and contribution
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Raffle Winners 2016
- The Rushes – 3-night stay, subject to availability-excluding Memorial Day to Labor Day / $400 value---Brandi Pumphrey
- Square Rigger Lodge – 2 nights midweek—Sept-Oct 2016 or May-June 2017 /$178.00 value---Irene Flebbe
- Door County Carpet One –Green Bay Packer area rug, 4’ x 6’ /$119.00 value---Chelle Rezeau
- Plum Loco Animal Farm – Gift Certificate/Annual Family Pass/$56.00 value---Maria Nerip
- Jacksonport Historical Society – Fred Erskine Photography Book /$50.00 value---Rebecca Weinet
- Jacksonport Historical Society –Jacksonport Dock poster by Bayard Michael, unframed /$40.00 value---Cambria Mueller
- Mr. G’s Supper Club, Inc. – Gift Certificate/$35.00 value---Alyssa Suchy
- Door County Candle Company – Gift Certificate/ One (1) Handcrafted 16 oz Scented Candle and Two (2) Dipped Candles that you create/$28.00 value---George Kelly
- Schopf’s Dairy View Country Store – Gift Certificate/4 admissions to the 2016 corn maze/$28.00 value---Travis Mueller
- Schopf’s Dairy View Country Store – Gift Certificate/4 admissions to the 2016 corn maze/$28.00 value---Jerry Torbeck
- Pet Expressions –Gift Certificate/$25.00 value---Julio Roseinio
- Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant – Gift Certificate/$25.00---Jeff Brouchoud
- Welsing’s Foodland –BP Gift Card/$25.00 value---Denise Blaszynski
- Bley’s Grocery –Gift Certificate for meat case/$25.00 value---Robbi Oleson
- Mike’s Port Pub –Gift Certificate/$25.00 value---Chris Antonissen
- P.C. Junction –Gift Certificate, two (2) sandwiches and two (2) sodas/$25.00 value---Stacey Mortvedt
- Waseda Farms – Gift Certificate/$25.00 value---Cambria Mueller
- Door County Custom Meats & Venison Processing –Gift Certificate, product of your choice, through 10/31/16/$25.00 value---Char Mueller
- Jacksonport Craft Cottage Gifts – Gift Certificate/$25.00 value---Randy Erskine
- Waseda Farms –Gift Certificate/$25.00 value---Nancy Loritz
- Island Fever– Gift Certificate/$20.00 value---John Moen
- Mike’s Port Pub –T-shirt/$20.00 value---Bob Carstens
- The Tin Plate –Gift Certificate/$20.00 value—Mariann Valosek
- JJ’s/Sister Bay –Gift Certificate/$20.00 value---Madeline LeClair
- Mike’s Port Pub –T-shirt/$20.00 value---Jan Smrekar
- N.E.W (Valmy) Thresheree – 2 weekend admission tickets/Aug. 19, 20, 21, 2016 only/$16.00 value---Connie Hafenbredal
- N.E.W (Valmy) Thresheree – 2 weekend admission tickets/Aug. 19, 20, 21, 2016 only/$16.00 value---Mitch Honold
Prizes not printed on ticket:
Door County Beach Rentals – 2-night stay/Condo #3---Lori Orthober Town Hall Bakery – 2 Cherry Oatmeal Cookies, 2 Muffins/Cupcakes, 2 Scones---Hunter Ebel
Jacksonport Historical Society---proceeds used for repairs and improvements at the JHS museum site.
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2014 Cherry Fest
August 2, 2014 was a very good day for the Jacksonport Historical Society. The 20th Annual Cherry Fest was a huge success with record turnout, record gross revenue and ultimately record profit. All involved are to be commended for the superb job in planning, setting up, and ultimately for the accomplishment of putting on a very well attended event in downtown
Jacksonport. My personal thanks to all.
As you may have noticed we added and or changed a few things again this year. Jeanne Kuhns and her group Small Forest delighted us with their wonderful entertainment in the morning session. The Jacksonport Women's Club changed their menu items a bit and ultimately sold out before the end of the day. Well done JWC! Pete Stoffell was on hand, selling out as well, of whole cherries. Thanks to Pete. Herb Mueller and his committee pulled off our first car show very successfully suggesting there will be more to follow. And we added helicopter rides thus adding nicely to our bottom line for the day's revenue. Thank you to Nathan Peters and ground crew. Unfortunately, the horses were on a different schedule that day so no wagon ride as promised but they will be back I am assured.
As usual we had great vendor turnout in the Arts and Crafts Show thanks to many returning and some new vendors. The food was agian superbly, provided by Keith and Jaci Birnschein of Door County Custom Meats. Joe Jarosh and his staff thrilled the kids and parents again at the Penny Hunt. Thanks Joe and staff. Mike, Mitch, Brett, and Kelly kept the very cold and delicious refreshment coming resulting in record sales and happy customers. Eileen Roberts and all of the volunteers at the JHS booth again did a very nice job of showcasing what the JHS is all about and how we operate throughout the year. Great job all. And finally with much gratitude and appreciation for their keeping them coming I want to thank Lisa Bieri and all of the volunteers that helped Lisa bake and Kandie Skippon sell more than 500 kolaches. Sold out way to early suggesting more are needed next year. Oh, and that along with selling out of 125 cherry pies. Hungry crowds and great supporters of the JHS on the grounds once again.
I do not want to understate the gratitude and appreciation the JHS has for all the hard work provided by the many, many great volunteers we had again this year. Many are returning volunteers and we look forward to their continued support. Please take no offense to my not mentioning each of you individually. You know who you are and we do also, so please allow me to simply say thanks as we look forward to next year's Cherry Fest.
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2013 Cherry Fest
Another Successful Year
On August 3rd, 2013 a spectacular day unfolded in Lakeside Park downtown Jacksonport at the 19th annual “Cherry Fest”. Once again thanks to the dedication and hard work of many friends and volunteers we enjoyed a very successful not to mention profitable event enjoyed by an estimated 2000 participants.
Of course with the theme being that of cherries many cherry based food items were again available including over 500 kolaches baked by our very enthusiastic crew of ladies, delivered to the park and consumed by 2 p.m. DC Custom Meats provided the staple lunch with their cherry brats and burgers. And of course there was the cherry pie, ice cream, jams, jellies, salsa, whole cherries, funnel cakes and a variety of refreshments to go along as well.
Mayberry’s Carriage’s provided a pleasant tour of downtown Jacksonport. Everyone enjoyed the great and returning live entertainment between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Mr. Matt Wahl followed at 1 pm. to close by the also returning group “The Modern Day Drifters”. 60 vendors occupied over 80 booth spaces providing our guests with a large variety of fine arts and crafts to choose from. And let’s not forget the infamous “Penny Hunt” held on the beautiful sandy beach of Lakeside Park around one o’clock. The playground was equally busy entertaining young and some old alike throughout the day. Mike Kay, Bob Spittlemeister, Bob Mikels and Herb Mueller very graciously displayed their very well kept tractors, truck and car respectively. And of course the infamous “Root Cellar” and many historic artifacts was again on full display in the “Erskine Rest Area.
As mentioned earlier it was a great day for all. The profits from the day along with those of all of our efforts throughout the year help to promote the completion of the many cabin and future museum site projects. Please feel free to follow our progress at the site located just atop the hill on the south end of Jacksonport.
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2012 Cherry Fest Recap
Thanks to cooperation from the weather and dozens of volunteers, Cherry Fest in Jacksonport once again met with success. Proceeds from the annual event, held the first Saturday of August, help develop the museum property of the Jacksonport Historical Society (JHS) .
Highlights of this year’s festival included the music of popular folk singer and songwriter Matt Wahl and country music by Modern Day Drifters. Visitors to Cherry Fest sat at picnic tables or brought their own chairs to enjoy the concerts that ran from 10 to 4.
Lakeside Park and the Erskine Rest Area were filled with vendors from the juried arts and crafts fair along with the historical society’s exhibit and display of the Erskine Root Cellar. A variety of food, featuring cherries, was available to eat in the park or take home, and special activities were offered for young children, who also enjoyed the town’s playground.
Of special interest were an antique car, truck and three tractors for all to see.
Leaders among the many Cherry Fest volunteers typically serve for multiple years before moving on to other projects. This year several stalwart workers have asked to pass the torch on to others. They include Joe and Sue Jarosh and Vicki Bley. Joe has long helped with setting up Cherry Fest, running the beer stand, organizing the penny hunt, and cleaning up at the end of the day. Sue, who spearheaded the creation of Cherry Fest, has overseen the preparation of the ever-popular, freshly baked cherry kolaches. Vicki has served as the overall director or co-director of Cherry Fest for the past several years.
The new co-director of Cherry Fest for 2013, Darrel Birnschein, shadowed Joe Jarosh and Vicki Bley this year to be ready for his new responsibilities. He will join Kandie Skippon in overseeing this major fund-raising project.
The JHS museum site is located at the top of the hill on State Hwy 57 as one heads south from the village of Jacksonport. Two historic log cabins have already been moved there and plans have been approved for a new building that will house the society’s library. Check out the progress at the Museum Tab.
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2011 Cherry Fest Recap
Another Great year for Cherry Fest
On August 6,2011 the Jacksonport Historical Society, Inc. once again celebrated the cherry harvest at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport with the 17th annual Cherry Fest. The day started out cloudy but soon the large crowds of happy folks came to listen to music and shop the many artists displaying their hand crafted items. To start the day fresh baked kolaches and coffee were available. The hardy volunteers had been busy since 4 am that morning baking the delicious treats. Keith and Jaci Birnschein and their crew from Door County Custom Meats arrived, fired up their grill and started serving cherry hamburgers, cherry brats, and pork sandwiches all prepared especially for us. Always delicious! In the meantime the Jacksonport Historical Society was busy opening the root cellar in the Erskine Rest Area which was restored a few years ago. Sandy De Master, and two of her friends demonstrated the fine art of spinning wool sheared from her very own sheep. Certainly a learning experience for those of us not familiar with this amazing process. As the morning progressed we heard the soft melodic sound of the guitar of Matt Wahl playing folk music as well as some of his original pieces. Matt has been playing at Cherry Fest for many years. Now that everyone had lunch they needed desert and that they found at the Jacksonport Historical Society food booth where the most delicious cherry pies, furnished by Grandma Tommy’s Market, were available to purchase. Along with the pie, they had coffee, cherry ice cream, cherry sundaes, and a cherry drink to wash it all down. The Jacksonport Women’s Club provided delicious funnel cakes. A variety of jams and jellies were also sold at a nearby booth. On the beautiful sand beach that Lakeside Park is known for, was a penny hunt. Fun for kids and adults alike as the kids searched the sand to see who could collect the most pennies. Then a change in music as the Modern Day Drifters began their 3 hour set. So for another year Cherry Fest was a successful fund raising event for the Jacksonport Historical Society, Inc. The money that is raised at this event goes to help develop the museum property located on the south end of Jacksonport. So in 2012 Cherry Fest will be Saturday, August 4 at Lakeside Park. A fun time will be had by all and will make it possible for the Jacksonport Historical Society to be “keepers of the past” for all future generations.
In 1935, Claire Acker was named Door County's National Cherry Pie Baker and was chosen to deliver cherries to President Roosevelt on his tour of Northeastern Wisconsin. Claire is the granddaughter of Margaret Butler Higgins, whose family arrived in Jacksonport in 1874. A 1935 picture of Claire is on display each year at the cherry jam and pie filling booth at Cherry Fest. In 2011, Claire Acker Radi herself was there to see it. Now 95 and a resident of San Antonio, Texas, Claire included Cherry Fest in her August visit to Door County with her children and grandchildren.