Grab your beer mugs and lederhosen, Bavarian Winterfest is coming

ARMADA, Mich. (FOX 2) - Grab your beer mugs and dirndl dresses. Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill will soon transform into a bierhaus for the first annual Bavarian Winterfest. 

"I want to see the lederhosen. I want to see the hats with the feathers," said Shelby Ackerman, director of experience at Blake’s. "I want to see it all."

The ticketed event will be on Saturday January 18, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ackerman said there’s going to be a best-dressed contest, pretzel-eating contest, live polka music and a sauerkraut-making workshop. 

"Everyone’s going to get the chance to make our sauerkraut from the cabbage that was growing out in our field," said manager Lonnie Decker. 

She said each participant will pour cabbage into a large bucket and then use a large wooden peg to squash the cabbage for 30 minutes until the juice squeezes out of it. 

The workshop is one of the highlights of the event along with their menu. 

"We have our Harvest Beet Bliss Salad, which uses beets from our farm, some balsamic drizzle, orange segments and golden beets that we roasted in house," said Amber Hart, executive chef. "Some dried cherries and goat cheese. Some pepitas on it." 

The folks at Blake’s said they’re one of the few orchard and cider mills to remain open year-round. 

Besides the Bavarian Winterfest, they’ve got the Blanket And Brews workshop on January 14, where attendees are given yarn to make their own blankets. Also, they’re hosting Renew and Reset New Year Yoga for yogis on January 26. 

"National Peanut Butter Day is Friday January 24, which we’re super excited about because our hard cider team is releasing a new draft-only option: Peanut butter triple jam," said Ria Seremetis, director of communications. "[It’s] inspired by our fan favorite triple-jam hard cider, which just sold its 1-millionth case this week." 

However, for right now, all eyes are on Bavarian Winterfest, which they’re hoping to put on for years to come. 

"We will have steins on-site so you can actually drink out of stein, beer out of stein," Ackerman said. "We’re giving you that real authentic experience."

For tickets and information, visit blakefarms.com/bavarian-winterfest