For the past 25 years, Sudbury’s Blueberry Festival has been highlighting “the world’s most perfect fruit.”
“We really should celebrate the best thing we have above ground,” John Lindsay, festival chair, said.
After all, blueberries are “free for the picking.”
This year’s blueberry festival begins and ends at the William Bell Gazebo in Bell Park. Opening ceremonies begin during the gazebo concert series, when Gavan Rousseau performs July 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Closing ceremonies take place a week later, on July 24, when the Nickel City Dixie Stompers take the stage.
Other highlights from the festival include:
- Blueberry-themed art at Artists on Elgin will be displayed for the entire month of July. Visit the gallery at 168 Elgin St. to view blueberry art, translated in “almost any medium.”
- The One-Eleven Senior Citizens’ Centre, located at 111 Larch St., will host a Blueberry Bash July 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dances, raffles and book sales will take place, and blueberry desserts and refreshments will be served for $3. Phone 705-675-5001.
- Local celebrity pie eating contest, to be held at the centre court of the Rainbow Centre at noon on July 21. “That’s when the blueberries fly,” Maureen Luoma, pie eating contest co-ordinator, said.
- The Ukrainian Seniors Centre will host a Family Garden Party at its facility at the corner of Elm and Notre Dame Streets. Festivities run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information, phone 705-673-7404.
- Southwind Retirement Home will serve free blueberry sundaes from 2 p.m. to 2:30 on July 21. Guests will have the chance to win door prizes. Phone 705-521-1443 ext. 203 for more information.
- Westmount Retirement Residence will host a blueberry cheesecake social from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at its William Avenue facility. Phone 705-566-6221 ext. 22 for more information.
- The Blueberry Bash at Market Square takes place from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on July 23. Blueberry pancakes will be served, and guests can enjoy live music, children’s entertainment and wagon rides.
- Village International will sell blueberry cheesecake throughout the week. A limited number of cakes will be made, and they must be pre-ordered. Phone 705-524-2999 for more information.
- A hike up Blueberry Hill, located behind the Carmichael Arena, gets underway at 10 a.m., weather permitting, on July 18.
- Meadowbrook Retirement Village will host Country Mutt during Blueberry Happy Hour on July 22 from 2 p.m. to 4.
- The tea room at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre is serving blueberry tea and sweets all week. For more information, phone 705-858-5050.
- The “famous” blueberry breakfast at the Skead Community Centre runs from 8 a.m. until noon on July 17.
- The Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin will host a blueberry-themed open house July 22 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
For more information about the Blueberry Festival, visit blueberryfestival.ca.
- Posted by Vivian Scinto
