Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce
Kelly Daniel, Membership & Marketing Manager
936-560-5533; business@nactx.com
Blueberry Celebration is June 13
The 26th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival committee has held meetings for months, and they are planning a fun-filled day for all ages. Pictured from left are a few of the committee members - festival chair Grace Handler and Brooksher Brothers representatives Staci Hodges, social media coordinator, and Angela Gandy, social media associate. Photo by Kelly Daniel
“Find the details on all the festival fun-stuff at TexasBlueberryFestival.com,” said festival chair Grace Handler.
Festival favorites continue such as the Running of the Blueberries 5K fun run and walk. Kiwanis’ 8 a.m. Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Main St. and Pecan St. intersection, fresh blueberries for sale at Brookshire Brothers The Place to “B” in the 400 block and free shuttle rides to transport guests from the festival to a nearby farm where all can pick their own blueberries right off the bush. Visitors can also celebrate Nacogdoches’ designation as Garden Capital of Texas and take a free shuttle ride and tour local gardens.
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 Claudann Jones. 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 water and bounce park 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 and the Paul Kendrick Memorial 42 Tourney.
We are excited to announce the planning of the Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park the Friday before the Blueberry Festival this year.
“The Chamber has been looking for ways to make the Texas Blueberry Festival more of a weekend-long event,” said Scott Waller, Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park committee member. “We wanted to create a free, family-friendly event for Friday that would attract more people to spend the night, to stay in our hotels, eat in our wonderful restaurants and shop in our great stores. Bluegrass is such a wonderful genre of music; you just have to smile and tap your toes when you listen. We know there is a huge following in East Texas and we are hoping they all turn out for this event.”
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.
