NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
Thousands of people filled
downtown Nacogdoches to celebrate the county's love of blueberries.
"We have so much anticipation
building up to the event, the streets are full, the blueberry pancakes are
going, the bounce park is up," said Michelle Smith, Chairman, Texas
Blueberry Festival.
The 23rd Annual Texas Blueberry
Festival started bright and early Saturday morning with people lined up for
blocks waiting for fresh blueberry pancakes.
Throughout the day festival goers could get
their hands on blueberry donuts, cobbler, lemonade, pies and other variations
of the famous fruit and even pick their own.
"Everybody has to come get
blueberries and they do come from 250 miles away to buy the blueberries,"
said Teresa Darby, Logistics Co-Chair, Texas Blueberry Festival.
The celebrated blueberries do a little
more than just satisfy taste buds.
The festival showcased not only the
county's favorite fruit it also highlights some of the cities local
businesses."
"All these vendors here on the
square giving our local residents as well as our visitors an opportunity to
favor local vendors," said Smith.
Hill Creek Farm, Farm Manager, Clay
Sunda says the festival gives people an opportunity to see exactly where their
berries are coming from.
"People kind of like buying
locally, especially within your community," said Sunda.
With 154 vendors on hand and numerous
activities, the Texas Blueberry Festival is a celebration of family and
community.
"It's a family event; there is
something here for everyone in your family, from your newborn all the way to
your 80 year old," said Smith.
Festival officials hope that when
people think Nacogdoches, they'll think blueberries.
"Blueberries put us on the
map," said Darby.
Copyright 2012 KTRE. All rights reserved.
