The Texas Blueberry Festival presented by Brookshire Brothers and produced by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce returns to Nacogdoches the second Saturday in June with a celebration of the annual blueberry harvest, featuring delicious blueberry fare, live entertainment and activities for all interests and ages.
Nacogdoches County Chamber Chair of the Board Angela Wiederhold, left, and Chamber Vice Chair Special Projects and Fundraisers Jessica Henderson stand with the official 24th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival event poster and t-shirt. Both are available now at the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, 2516 North St.
Bakers are encouraged to enter the Brookshire Brothers’ Blueberry Pie Contest. In addition to ribbons and gift cards for the top three winners ($500, $300, $150), festival attendees can vote on the People’s Choice award. That winner will go home with a Brookshire Brothers $300 gift card. Cooks can pick up an entry form at Nacogdoches Brookshire Brothers locations or at the Nacogdoches County Chamber, 2516 North St., or Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, 200 E. Main St. Those who register in advance at the chamber or CVB will receive a B2B discount card good for a 10% one time grocery discount at Brookshire Brothers. All entries must be submitted by 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8 at the Brookshire Brothers festival tent on Main St. Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m.
“Enjoy humorous tales in the Bob Murphey in the Bob Murphey Story Reading Room read every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the comfy cool Regions Bank Community Room – enter from Pilar St. Discussion,” Smith said. “Throughout the event time, Q&A sessions will happen between readings and coloring and craft activities will be offered for children.”
Festival favorites continue such as the Running of the Blueberries 5K fun run and walk. Kiwanis’ 8 a.m. Blueberry Pancake Breakfast – now in its new location north of the Main St. and Pecan St. intersection, fresh blueberries for sale by Hayter’s Mill Creek Farm and free shuttle rides provided by SFA Driving Jacks to transport guests from the festival to a nearby farm where all can pick their own blueberries right off the bush. Live musical entertainment and performances can be enjoyed on three downtown stages. Cowboy Max is back with comedy and stunt performances in the Commercial Bank of Texas lobby in between the Cookin’ Up the Blues cooking demonstrations that include guest chef Amy McLeod. Sweet blueberry treats can be found and enjoyed at the Regions Bank Blueberry Hill Soda & Sweet Shoppe.
Plenty of free-of-charge and nominal fee activities for children including a petting zoo and water and bounce park are available and more than 100 vendor spaces will be filled with arts, crafts, food and unique items.
Other attractions include multiple blueberry pie-eating contests for kids and adults, a pet parade, washer board tournament, classic car show and the children’s costume contest.
“The festival offers a variety of fun volunteer opportunities for groups, organizations, families and individuals,” Smith said. “Please send an email that includes a contact phone number to TexasBlueberryFestival@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of the tastiest festival in Texas.”
Prime growing conditions make NacogdochesCounty one of the leading blueberry producers in the state, and the annual harvest peaks in early summer. Proceeds from the
Texas Blueberry Festival benefit the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce’s various community and business development programs. Nacogdoches is located approximately 150 miles north of Houston via U.S. Hwy. 59.
For more information about the Texas Blueberry Festival, contact the Nacogdoches County Chamber, 936-560-5533 or the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-888-OLDEST TOWN. For a complete schedule of events and other festival details including event registration forms, go to www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com.
