MUSKEGON, MI – The Muskegon Rotary Club is preparing for its third annual Harvest Fest this month in downtown Muskegon.
The fundraising event will be hosted at Baker College’s Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) on Oct. 23, offering an evening of tastings prepared by local culinary students, paired with a curated selection of wine, craft beers and seltzers.
This open-style event will also feature live music, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction items.
“It is a perfect opportunity for the Muskegon community to celebrate the fall season and support community programs funded by the Muskegon Rotary Foundation,” said club President Dave Alexander. “It will be an evening filled with community building, great food, and live music all for a good cause.”
Tickets, priced at $85, can be purchased online via Eventbrite. The event is catered towards guests 21 and over.
Each ticket includes entry into the event, unlimited access to multiple food stations, a seasonal gift from Barry’s Greenhouses and Landscaping and a free beverage ticket.
Baker College’s CIM staff and students will be sharing some of their favorite fall dishes set up at food stations throughout the venue. The menu includes:
Harvest Fest Apple Sangria – Created with locally produced Estelita Apple Moscato from Muskegon Heights, specialty crafted mulled cider and garnished with fresh apples.
Veal Herb Crostini – Veal sausage, garlic herb focaccia crostini, cherry merlot chutney and microgreens.
Finnish Meatballs – Beef, pork and Dutch Gouda cheese.
Asian Dumplings – Char siu bao and vegetable potstickers with assorted dipping sauces.
Irish Fish Cakes – Haddock, potatoes and tartar sauce.
Apple Fritter Slider – Smoked pork, Granny Smith apple slaw with a selection of sauces.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding – Rosemary caramel, cinnamon Chantilly cream and persimmon compote.
Apple Brandy Tiramisu – Apple butter, brandy, mascarpone mousse and cinnamon apple-soaked lady fingers.
Harvest Fest Apple Cake – Apple cake, cream cheese Bavarian cream and salted caramel.
Proceeds will benefit students at Baker College, the CIM Scholarship Fund and local charitable organizations through the Rotary Foundation.
Since 1994, the Muskegon Rotary Foundation has awarded over $545,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations across the greater Muskegon area, supporting initiatives in community development, health, education, public art, and environmental stewardship.
Individual donations can also be accepted online. To keep up-to-date on the Harvest Fest event, follow the Facebook event page.