Why cereal?
Battle Creek is the town where the Kellogg brothers found a way to make breakfast quick and easy. In 1894, they accidentally discovered how to turn grain into flakes. That discovery eventually became Corn Flakes.
This is where C.W. Post started a business in a barn that became a worldwide corporation. He first termed the phrase “Road to Wellville,” and that road started here.
Cereal began as a health food, but Post and Kellogg made it fun, too. And we celebrate that every year in June.
Who is going to be at the parade?
Meet your favorite cereal characters, the stars of the parade. There’s Tony the Tiger, Toucan Sam and Sugar Bear.
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 13. It starts and ends at the Kool Family Center.
Is the festival free?
Everything is free on Saturday, June 14 – the bowls of cereal, the entertainment and the bounce houses. It all starts at 8 a.m. and ends at noon.
What is the World’s Longest Breakfast Table?
The Battle Creek festival first made it into the Guiness Book of World Records in 1979, shortly after it became a regular event.
It was called the World’s Longest Breakfast Table because tables were set up end-to-end, creating one long table that stretched through downtown.
This tasty tradition is still the best part of the festival. While the long table no longer runs along Michigan Avenue, you can find space at tables set up along McCamly Avenue for the festival.
What can I eat?
Post and Kellogg donate cereal for the festival, while Prairie Farms provides the milk. There’s also Pop-tarts and juice.
Who is performing?
Country artist Jessey Adams takes the stage at Festival Market Square from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Then JP & the Energy make it a party with modern pop from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Will there be alligators?
Yes! Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary will be there for animal shows.
What is there for kids to do?
Head to the bounce zone for inflatables and crafts, or take a mini train ride. There will also be yard games for kids – they usually have bubbles, bean bag toss games and hula hoops.
Wait, there’s more!
Battle Creek has a lot of fun festivals going on in the summer. Cereal Fest is just the beginning.
Look to the skies for Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival July 2-6; there will be Thunderbirds, airplane stunts, hot air balloons and carnival rides.
Rock out at Leilapalooza on July 26; this all-day music festival has a unique venue, set among the monsters and wizards of Fantasy Forest at Leila Arboretum.
End the summer with Backyard Burgers & Brewsfest on Aug. 23; the hardest part of this food truck festival is trying to decide how many different kinds of food you can eat in one night.
