Despite a barbecue breakdown that required some last-minute improvisation, Sudburians lined up for free blueberry pancakes served with blueberry maple syrup at the Blueberry Bash at Market Square July 21.

The Blueberry Bash, one of the main events in the week-long Sudbury Blueberry Festival, also featured children’s activities, horse-drawn wagon rides and live entertainment.

The pancakes were cooked on a barbecue and served by staff and board members from the Northridge Credit Union, which is the major sponsor of the Sudbury Blueberry Festival.

“We ran out of propane, and we had to change it, and then we couldn’t get the barbecue to light anymore,” laughed Nadine Sauter, who works in training and development at Northridge.

Eventually, volunteers were forced to locate another barbecue and bring it on site.

“It’s been fun,” she said. “The lineups have been long. It’s always a good turnout.”

Paulette Dahl, who sampled some of the pancakes along with friend Cindy Doering, said she loves both pancakes and blueberries.

“Put the two together, and I’m a happy camper,” she said.

Dahl said she normally goes blueberry picking each summer, but fears she might be too late this year.

“I hear they’re almost done because we had an early season,” she said.

John Lindsay, the long-time chair of the Sudbury Blueberry Festival, said there’s a bit of a sad note to the Blueberry Bash this year, as it’s the last year it will be held at Market Square’s present location.

The facility will close for good this year to make way for construction on the school of architecture.

“I’ve just been talking to people, and they’re sort of nostalgic, because for so many years we’ve been here,” Lindsay said. “It’s too bad we have to move, because this is a great spot.”

He said traffic at Market Square roughly doubles during the event, with festival-goers eagerly buying fresh produce and other items from the vendors.

The Sudbury Blueberry Festival will wrap up at the William Bell Gazebo at 7 p.m. July 22 with the draw for a sapphire diamond ring from Ambrosia Jewellers.

For more information, visit www.blueberryfestival.ca.