MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday was Marquette’s 25th annual Blueberry Fest, celebrating all things blueberry.
There were nearly 100 vendors, and artists selling blueberry cakes, pies, and beer, and even blueberry pizza.
“This time of year, it’s all about the blueberry,” said Mike Bradford, the Marquette Downtown Development Authority’s business outreach and promotions director. “it’s one of the most popular things around this area. So why not have a festival to celebrate one of the most popular fruits in our community.”
According to Bradford, around 8000 people attended the Blueberry Fest last year and they expect at least that many this year.
“So it’s not even noon, and it’s packed,” said Bradford. “So far I think it’s been very good.”
Andrew Mathie, a Marquette resident at the festival, said it helps bring the city together.
“Marquette has a lot to offer,” said Mathie. “It’s very beautiful like with nature, we’ve got Lake Superior like right there, and it’s just great to see all these people come together for one festival.”
Aurora Dowd, a tourist from the Lower Peninsula said her family tries to make it up for the festival every year.
“We do like an annual trip up here every year, and we come up here a lot for the festival and farmers markets and things like that around here,” said Dowd. “I just like getting out and seeing what everyone has to offer.”
The festival also impacts local businesses. According to Trenary Toast Co-Owner Bri Wynsma, it’s one of their busiest days all year.
“Today we have about four to five hundred cinnamon rolls that we believe we’re going to sell out of by hopefully like 2 p.m.,” said Wynsma. “So it’s the most fun weeks of the year for us I think.”
For many people, blueberry fest is a way to get a taste of both Marquette’s blueberries, and its culture.
“Basically what you see here is arts, food, drink, and entertainment,” said Bradford. “It kind of brigs everything the community has to offer and just throws it into one place under the theme of the Blueberry.”
Marquette’s weekend continues with the Queen City Half-Marathon on Saturday, and Art on the Rocks and Outback Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday.
