Everything Nac

     The 23rd annual Texas Blueberry Festival presented by Brookshire Brothers is a true blue family friendly event set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 9 in historic downtown Nacogdoches.

The Kids Get Wet Water and BouncePark will be back at the Texas Blueberry Festival on June 9 in FestivalPlaza, just south of the historic downtown brick streets in Nacogdoches.

     The festival offers a variety of activities for all ages of children and according to Maury Littleton, co-executive officer with Marshall Stephens, “bubbles are the new attraction this year in the FestivalPlaza kids’ play area.”

     The Bubble Pit will be a part of the Kids Get Wet Water and BouncePark with giant inflatables – some with water features. To play in the bounce park, tickets will be sold for $2, or wrist-bands for unlimited play are $10.

     “Children need to have adults with them to purchase and enter the bounce park,” Littleton said, “but an attendant will be present at each station, so adults are welcome to bring lawn chairs, sit in the shade and enjoy watching the kids play.”

     Another new addition to the children’s activities is the Nacogdoches Medical Center Teddy Bear Clinic located in the Cool Zone. “Kids can bring their special stuffed animal friends to the check up station, and our specialists will fix any boo-boos with care,” said event organizer Debbie Stevens.

     The Kids Blueberry Boot Camp is a free-of-charge event for children ages six to twelve, managed by Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and Healthy Nacogdoches Coalition and open from 1 to 3 p.m. “Kids will run a fun obstacle course that exercises skills such as throwing, balance, speed and agility,” said event organizer Derek Head. “The event seems to entertain both participants and spectators.”

     Just for moms and babies, a private, quiet baby feeding and care facility is open all festival day and is located in the lower level of the VisitorsCenter at 200 E. Main St. It is managed by Healthy Nacogdoches Coalition volunteers.

Other blueberry kid activities are:

· CASA Kids Cupcake Decorating NEW!!! – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at CASA of Deep East Texas, 115 E. Main St. Create and enjoy your own blueberry-sweet treat at a cupcake decorating booth! $1/cupcake – cupcakes, icing and blueberry-theme decorations provided. Look for the Blueberry Lemonade Stand too!

· Cowboy Max – Cowboy Max saves the Blueberry Farm and Sweet Betty Blue from the evil villain in a family-friendly Wild West melodrama in the CBTx lobby. Cheer for the hero, boo the villain and swoon at Sweet Betty Blue (and the air conditioning.) Will Cowboy Max be able to save that blueberry farm? Find out in a show the whole family is sure to love. See the shows around 9:40 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

· Blue Threads Costume Contest – 9:45 a.m. registration Commercial Bank lobby; 10:15 a.m. parade around the downtown square; and at approximately 10:45 a.m. awards announced on Plaza Principal Stage.

Events in FestivalPlaza:

· Kroger Craft Corner – Free activities for children. Art and craft projects for children that will vary through the day. Sponsored by Kroger.

Too Blue Petting Zoo – A petting zoo with horses, ponies, goats, mini horses, llamas, dogs and baby ducks and chicks. Pony rides available for a nominal fee. Nacogdoches Animal Shelter will bring adoptable animals. Sponsored by NacogdochesCountyExpositionCenter.
Big Blue Murals – We’re looking for artists short and tall to create our murals! Sponsored by Consolidated Communications and Beth Mazer, M.D.

     The Texas Blueberry Festival is a production of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit the festival’s web site at TexasBlueberryFestival.com or call (936) 560-5533. The festival is a Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful litter-free event.