Spargelfest Sümmern at Hof Drepper

Iserlohn-Sümmern — Märkisches Sauerland in Family Hands

Iserlohn, with around 92,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the Märkischer Kreis district in southern Westphalia, situated at the transition from the Ruhr area to the Sauerland. The district of Sümmern lies to the north, with a village-like suburban character, shaped by agriculture, club life, and nearby industrial history. Hof Drepper is one of the best-known family-run agricultural businesses here: asparagus cultivation, strawberries, potatoes, farm shop, pick-your-own field — a classic adventure farm that keeps regional direct marketing alive.

23 Years of Asparagus Festival — A May 1st Classic

The Asparagus Festival has been jointly organized since 2003 by the Sportfreunde Sümmern (the district's sports club) and Hof Drepper. The idea: to combine the seasonal harvest festival with club life — the club provides the volunteer logistics (bar, service, setup), and the farm provides the culinary substance (asparagus, potatoes, ham, farm shop). The concept has been successful for two decades, making May 1st in Sümmern a firm meeting point for all of northern Iserlohn.

2026 Program — From Asparagus to the Farm Market

The festival runs from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On the farm grounds, you'll find:

• Fresh Asparagus from our own harvest — classic with ham and boiled potatoes, asparagus pan, asparagus cream soup, vegetarian options
• Homemade Sauces — Hollandaise, vinaigrette, herb butter
• Ham Specialties from the region
• Potatoes prepared in various ways
• Cake Buffet with strawberry cake (early in the season!), asparagus cake, and classics
• Coffee, regional beer, soft drinks

Simultaneously: Farm Market 11 AM–5 PM — the farm shop expands with additional stalls from regional providers: honey, cheese, bread, sausage, eggs, seasonal products. A mini farmers' market with a premium focus.

Hof Drepper — The Adventure Farm

Hof Drepper has been cultivating asparagus for generations — the asparagus fields surround the farm, and the season runs from mid-April to mid-June (St. John's Day, June 24th, the traditional season end). Farm shop, ice cream parlor, pick-your-own strawberry field (from May/June), farm café — the farm has become a regional excursion destination that attracts visitors far beyond the Asparagus Festival.

A Tradition with Significance

May 1st is traditionally a day for hiking, family outings, and May festivals in Germany — the Asparagus Festival at Hof Drepper fits this pattern. Thousands of families travel from Iserlohn, Hemer, Menden, Schwerte, and Letmathe for the day. Atmosphere: rural, cozy, regional — the antithesis of large folk festivals (Volksfeste), offering an authentic farm character and excellent asparagus quality.

Iserlohn and the Sauerland as an Excursion Destination

Those who start May 1st with the Asparagus Festival should continue their day in the Sauerland: the Felsenmeer (Sea of Rocks) in Hemer as a geological wonder, the Dechenhöhle near Iserlohn-Letmathe as a dripstone cave, the Sorpesee lake near Sundern, the Möhnesee lake. Iserlohn itself is worth exploring, with its city center, the Stephanusturm tower, and the historic pharmacy district. For those staying longer: the Märkisches Sauerland offers numerous hiking trails starting directly from the village of Iserlohn-Sümmern.