Marquette, Michigan – Plans are underway for the 11th Annual Blueberry Festival, set for Friday, July 27, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Downtown Marquette. Washington and Front streets will be bustling with sidewalk sales, food vendors, artists, demonstrations, pony rides, inflatable arcade games, and activities for children and families. Downtown restaurants will satisfy your cravings for blueberry fare, from blueberry pizza to blueberry beer, while many downtown shops offer will offer “blue” specials. Local farmers will be on-hand throughout the day selling fresh produce, including mounds of plump blueberries.
Music fills the streets as live musicians perform throughout the day. Enjoy the melodies of Eclettico String Quartet at the Washington Street Pocket Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the Lost Lake Effect Band from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Center Stage at Washington and Front Streets will rock with live music of the “Blueberry Jam” by local favorites Union Suits (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.), Jim & Ray (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Les Ross Sr. (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Team Awesome (4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.), Flat Broke Blues Band (5 p.m. to 6 p.m.), and Shotgun Kelli & The State 51 Band (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
Returning this year is the “Blueberry Bead Challenge”, sponsored by Bella Beads to benefit UPAWS; karate demonstrations by Spirit Warrior Karate Academy at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; and the popular Youth Talent Show from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by the Lake Superior Youth Theatre. Additional entertainment include a dance performance by the Beladinas at 4 p.m.; a “Blueberry Quest” brought to you by Switchback Gear Exchange; and a blueberry pie eating competition at Upfront & Co. beginning at 7 p.m.
The eleventh annual limited edition festival posters are available for $10 each at select downtown businesses and at the information booth on the day of the event. Artist Ethan Hornacek will be on hand to autograph posters. Concurrent with the Blueberry Festival is the Blueberry Dance Festival sponsored by the Second Skin Shop and the second annual Northern Michigan University Blueberry Classic Golf Outing at the NMU Golf Course.
For more information on the Blueberry Festival, call the Marquette Downtown Development Authority at (906) 228-9475.
Ethan Hornacek’s untitled photograph, above, has been selected by the community as the winner of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority’s 2012 Blueberry Festival Poster Contest.
Source: Marquette Downtown Development Authority mlang@downtownmarquette.org
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