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Petoskey’s 2nd Annual Banana Bread Festival? Date: January 31st, 2026
? Location: Downtown Petoskey
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.
Roast & Toast Cafe (309 E Lake Street) : Serving banana bread samples from 12-2!!!
Monarch Garden & Floral (317 E Mitchell Street): Serving Banana Split Cups. And, "Go Bananas For Plants!! - 20% off house plants, care tips and more!!
Poetess and Stranger & Hexagon Records (320 E Lake Street):
"Banana Hunt" in which customers are invited to find one of 20 Bananas hidden around the shop for a weird, wacky, or wonderful prize. Poetess And Stranger will offer a 21% off Discount on any item in the shop that is ACTUALLY YELLOW. Sarah is an art major, so no trying to pull a fast one! We will have banana snacks as well!
Apple Blossom Baby & Decor (323 E Mitchell Street): Serving Banana Bread from 12PM - 5PM!!
Noggin Room (100 Lewis Street, underneath THE PERRY HOTEL): Serving Banana Bread Carajillo (think espresso and banana liquer, with a dash of vanilla and a dusting of cinnamon. YUM!!
Bearcub Outfitters (336 E Lake Street): We’re hiding paper bananas all around the store. Find one, flip it over, and score a surprise % off ONE item. A great way to score a bananarific discount!!
Fustini's Oils & Vinegars (206 Howard Street): Try our delicious BLOOD ORANGE BANANA CAKE samples and hot cocoa during Cake and Cocoa - what a great combination!!! And, $20 off the olive oil cake set.
Grandpa Shorter's Gifts (301 E Lake Street): See the banana bread judging in action starting at 12PM, and join us at 3PM as we announce the winners and hand out prizes worth over $750!! In addtion, we will be serving banana bread mini muffins all day long, and having banana loads of games, prizes, and bananariffic fun!! Plus, specials and sales!
JW Shorter & Son Mercantile (311 E Lake Street): Banana inspired gifts with purchase and spin the banana wheel of fun.
Luci & Carl's Candy Cabin (209 Petoskey Street): Guess how many banana RUNTS are in the candy jar. Closest correct guess without going over wins a $25 gift certificate to the store. Sample banana flavored candies.
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.
For more information, visit Grandpa Shorter’s Facebook page or visit grandpashorters.com.
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Event Venue
301 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI, United States, Michigan 49770
Tickets
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