Petoskey’s 2nd Annual Banana Bread Festival
Join Grandpa Shorters Gifts for a fun-filled and delicious day at Petoskey’s 2nd Annual Banana Bread Festival!
Go Bananas! Petoskey’s Banana Bread Showdown Coming to Downtown Petoskey on January 31, 2026!
Petoskey, MI – Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Go Bananas! Petoskey’s Banana Bread Showdown, taking place on Saturday, January 31st, in downtown Petoskey. This much anticipated event is the perfect way to brighten a quiet winter weekend while celebrating a beloved classic: banana bread.
The highlight of the festival will be a Banana Bread Bake-Off, featuring three categories:
- Amateur Baker
- Professional Baker
- Child Baker (ages 14 and under)
Members of the public are invited to bring their homemade banana bread to Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts between 9 AM and 11 AM on the day of the event. There will be a $15 entry donation to the Manna Food Project, a local nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger in northern Michigan. And each participant will receive a $25 gift certificate to Grandpa Shorter’s stores as a thank-you for entering and donating. Judging will begin at 1 PM and will be conducted by a panel of three judges, including at least one professional chef.
Banana breads will be evaluated based on Appearance, Texture, Flavor, Creativity (optional), and Overall Impression, with each category scored on a scale of 1-10. Winners in each category will be announced at Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts at 3 PM, both in-store and via Facebook Live. Each category winner will receive $150 in prizes from a variety of downtown Petoskey businesses and an overall winner will receive $250 in additional prizes.
There will be a required entry form available upon drop off.
“Our first banana bread bake off was so successful we had to bring it back again this year!” said Jennifer Shorter, owner of Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts. “We had over 80 banana bread entries last year, and participants from as far as Tawas City! We can’t wait to see what this year brings!”
In addition to the bake-off, festival-goers can enjoy banana-themed fun, including:
- Themed giveaways and displays at participating downtown businesses.
- Refreshments and yummy treats.
- Opportunities to shop, dine, and explore everything Petoskey has to offer.
Whether you’re an expert baker or just a fan of great food and good company, Go Bananas! Petoskey’s Banana Bread Showdown promises to be a delightful day for all. Mark your calendars for January 31, 2026, and join us in celebrating this sweet tradition.
Enjoy banana bread at these participating businesses:
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