Fish Boil at Cherry Point Farm & Market

If you have never been to a fish boil before, you are in for an experience at Cherry Point Farm and Market. Located in Shelby, MI it is just a mile from Lake Michigan and a short drive to Silver Lake sand dunes. You will see numerous Jeeps and side-by-sides traveling down the road from the dunes with their tall orange flags protruding from the hoods. (Tall flags bearing fluorescent colors are used so that vehicles can be seen from the dunes by other drivers.)

The working farm is a destination if you have always wanted to visit a real lavender farm. If you weren’t aware, Michigan lies on the same parallel with France, hence the reason for the grapes and lavender that grow so well in the area.

Cherry Point Farm and Market is part orchard, part herbs, and part produce market. On Friday and Saturday nights, during the summer, they also have a fish boil. The process involves a huge pot over an open fire with the grand finale of kerosene being thrown on the flames to produce a “boil over.” This extracts the fish oils away from the food as the giant cauldron bubbles over the top and black smoke fills the air.

Food is served straight out of the wire baskets that are pulled from the fire. During the age of COVID, we were asked to bring our own service settings (plate, cutlery, etc.) to use. However, this did not detract from the experience we got to share with about 20 other guests. The cost for the fish boil is $30 per person, but includes fish, potatoes, onions, and a fresh slice of homemade cherry pie for dessert. Pie is made from the cherries picked right from the farm.

If you are interested, they also have a small store at the market where they sell lavender products, fresh (and frozen) baked goods, fudge, souvenirs, clothing items, puzzles, and books written by the proprietor of the farm, Barbara Bull.