14th Annual Turnip Festival
Step aside summer squash, move over mushrooms, clear the path pumpkins & Make Way for Turnips!
It’s time to roll out the turnip bandwagon and hop on board! The Eastham Library staff invites you to celebrate the Cape’s favorite locally grown root vegetable ~ the Eastham Turnip, of course ~ at their 14th annual harvest extravaganza. Admission is free and this event will be held indoors rain or shine.
Plan to Arrive Early
Eastham Turnips ~ those sweet, succulent, versatile tubers ~ sell quickly! Other Thanksgiving fare will also be available including locally grown fruits and vegetables (apples, cranberries, winter squash, yams) as well as honey, jams, seasonal pies and breads ~ everything you need to grace your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Plan to Have Lunch
Food concessions will include pulled pork sandwiches with sides of turnip slaw and delicious crepes with choices of fillings made to order, both sweet and savory ~ one a turnip special. Other selections include kid-pleasing pizza by the slice.
Try New Taste Sensations
The culinary cornerstone of the Festival is a Turnip Cook-Off and this year’s competition will feature licensed food establishments vying for top turnip honors. The public can sample turnip delectables and cast votes for the coveted People’s Choice Award. Past prize winners have included such creative culinary fare as curried turnip soup, pumpkin turnip cheesecake and maple turnip ice cream. What will this year’s batch of chefs whip up to tantalize our turnip taste buds? You’ll have to turn up to find out!
Get a Jumpstart on your Holiday Shopping
Stroll the Holiday Marketplace featuring local vendors, all displaying goods that are locally grown, designed or produced. With over 60 merchants, this is the largest gathering of LOCAL farmers, artisans, artists, hand crafters and book authors on the Outer Cape. Pick up a Thanksgiving hostess gift ~ from candles to cranberry jams, from gourmet chocolates to a seasonal bouquet ~ there’s something sure to please. Of course, turnip hats, tees and cookbooks are always popular choices for our turnip enthusiasts. Think Turnip, Shop Local!
Visit our Special Guest
Local independent bookseller Booksmith/Musicsmith will be hosting local children’s author Fran Weller from 1 – 4 p.m. Fran will be on hand to sign copies of her popular children’s book, Riptide, recently republished by David R. Godine, Publisher. To meet Fran, visit Booksmith’s vending booth located in the NRHS gym. The Library staff are tickled “purple” to have her aboard this turnip bandwagon!
Turnip-themed Fun for the Young at Heart
Higher Ground String Band, the perennial Fest favorite, is returning for their 13th festival appearance and will entertain guests with foot-stomping, crown-pleasing blue/ grass tunes. Turnip line dancing is on tap for those itching to swing their partner on the dance floor. Guess the weight of the Enormous Turnip, witness the crowning moment as we announce this year’s Turnip King or Queen, and root for your favorite contestant in the annual Shuck-Off (who can peel a turnip the fastest?). Visit a henna artist for free henna body art ~ a selection of designs includes, you guessed it, a turnip! Our mascot, Mr. Turnip, sharing his effervescent turnip humor and style, is always turnip thumbs up for a photo. And we’re delighted to announce you’ll be able to meet Mr. Turnip’s lady friend, Ms. Turnip!
Bring the Kids
Check out the Kids Turn Up for Fun Zone. Festival favorite Trevor the Juggler will astound onlookers with juggling feats extraordinaire ~ even juggling turnips! There’s face painting, turnip arts and crafts, a balloon artist making turnip topper hats, and a new offering, temporary turnip tattoos. Turnip games await, including festival favorite, Turnip Bowling and new this year, Turnip Hole (our version of the popular Corn Hole). Those 12 and under can enter a Mr. Turnip Head decorating contest (where every turnip is a winner!). Companion Animals of Cape Cod will be visiting with trained companion dogs. These furry friends love a good story (especially those that feature turnips!), and youngsters can practice their reading aloud skills in a Reading to Dogs corner, just one of many turnip photo ops.
Enter a Festival Contest
Visit easthamlibrary.org for details on entering our Turnip Festival Photography Contest and the Turnip Shuck-Off.
So much TURNIP FUN in store – so fans keep coming back for MORE!
Date: November 18, 2017 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: Nauset High School | 100 Cable Road, Eastham, MA 02642
Event website: easthamlibrary.org
