Right in Our Region .....................Cover

Right in Our Region

Blueberry Festival Ends Summer with a Bang

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Every year during Labor Day Weekend, one of the Midwest’s premier events returns with the Marshall County Blueberry Festival. Located at Centennial Park, 1660 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Ind., this year’s festival takes place from Sept. 1-5 and promises a parade, fireworks, carnival, car show, hot air balloon rides and more. “We have several can’tmiss activities here at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival,” says Tracy Houin, festival coordinator. “We have something for everyone of all ages, from a bike cruise to arm wrestling to tractor pulls to a wide range of entertainment. There’s not a slow or dull moment the whole weekend.”

Approximately 42 committees, 15 board members and hundreds of volunteers help put on the festival, Houin adds. Volunteers have been the backbone of the event since the beginning, when the Plymouth Jaycees organized a Labor Day Celebration in 1966 to observe Indiana’s sesquicentennial. The celebration was such a success that a group of citizens formed a board of directors to organize an annual festival.

At the time, Marshall County provided one third of Indiana’s blueberry crop, so, the board named the celebration “The Marshall County Blueberry Festival.” Now, 56 years later, the humble event has grown into one of Indiana’s largest festivals.

The board’s main objectives are to provide quality family activities at little or no cost, and to additionally provide a venue

The Marshall County Blueberry Festival is happening Sept. 1-5 at Centennial Park, in Plymouth.

FAQs About Blueberry Festival

1. Where can I pick blueberries at the festival?

Unfortunately, blueberry picking season has come and gone by the time the festival rolls around. But this does not mean you cannot find the best in blueberry treats. The nonprofit food area has blueberry ice cream, sundaes, cheesecake, pies, muffins, shakes, donuts and cups of blueberries.

2. Since blueberries are out of season, why is the festival called the Marshall County Blueberry Festival?

Marshall County at one time produced one third of Indiana’s blueberries.

3. What is the admission charge?

The Blueberry Festival is free admission. Musical entertainment is also free.

for many of Marshall County’s nonprofit organizations to raise funds, Houin adds. Many organizations are able to generate not just some, but all of their operating costs for the whole year thanks to festival profits.

Throughout the festival, Marshall County welcomes more than 300 craft vendors from across the country. Hundreds of booths are dedicated to food, and of course, blueberries are in abundance, with blueberry pie, ice cream, shakes, sundaes, donuts, cheesecake and just plain blueberries as some of the options.

Musical entertainment takes place on three stages all weekend long at no cost. There’s also a pageant, 5K/15K run, bicycle cruise, pony rides and more. The newest addition to the festival is a beer garden, Houin says. Upon arrival at the festival, be sure to pick up an event guide which contains a map of all the booths.

“You can truly find something for everyone at any age,” Houin reiterates.

Entrance to The Marshall County Blueberry Festival is free, with parking at Plymouth High School, 1 Big Red Dr., Plymouth, for $10 per car or $20 for a weekend pass. This includes shuttle service from the parking lot to the festival. Keep an eye on blueberryfestival.org/index.html for more information about the festival, including schedule updates. ❚

4. What about parking? Is that free also?

The official parking for the festival is at Plymouth High School. The fee is $10 per car, or $20 for a weekend pass, and this includes shuttle service for all passengers. Proceeds benefit groups at the high school. Other parking is available, with lots run by church groups, boy scout troops or private citizens. These fees vary.

5. What is not allowed at the festival?

No pets, alcohol, weapons, bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, chains, illegal contraband or harmful substances allowed. Leader/service dogs are the only exception. These dogs must be wearing vests and the owner must carry proper documentation.

6. If I want to spend a couple of days, where can I stay?

Plymouth and the surrounding area offer many places to stay. Visit blueberryfestival.org/pg/lodging.html for a list of hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping facilities.

7. Is the festival handicap accessible?

Yes. handicap parking is available at Plymouth High School, and trams are equipped to transport wheelchairs and ADAapproved scooters. The terrain at the festival varies from paved sidewalks to grassy paths to gravel roads. Wheelchair rentals are available through the Friends of the Plymouth Library.