By Alexandra Haller
Vegetarians, beware. There are more cheeseburgers seen, eaten and celebrated at this Michigan festival than you're likely to see anywhere else. For a rollicking 10 days, visitors to Caseville can participate in all sorts of family-friendly activities and relax with the easygoing vibe of the town. Once you know about the festival, you'll understand why it's remained a steady tourist attraction for more than 11 years.
Location
The festival is held each year in Caseville, Michigan, a coastal town along the northeast arm of Saginaw Bay. It's approximately three hours north of Detroit.
Significance
The obvious star of this festival is the cheeseburger. It is celebrated in the amateur photo contest, the design contest for buttons and T-shirts and the cheeseburger-eating contest.
Features
There is more to this festival than just cheeseburgers. Participants can enjoy golf outings, water sports, charity races, live music and a pie-eating contest.
Time Frame
The first Cheeseburger Festival was held in 1997. Since then, it has always been Caseville's biggest tourist attraction during the second full week in August.
Caribbean Influence
The festival was based on Jimmy Buffet's famous, beach-friendly "Cheeseburger in Paradise" tune. Because of that, there is a Caribbean flair in the cuisine served at this festival and in the live music that's heard most nights.
About the Author:
Alexandra Haller has written for numerous health and fitness outlets. Her work has been picked up by "Runner's World," "Reuters." She has worked as a copy editor for the American Mathematical Society, the editor-in-chief for Her Active Life and is now a proofreader for Plante & Moran.
