It’s summer in Maine and that means it is wild blueberry season. If you haven’t had a chance to experience the magic of wild blueberry season, the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine has created a special event called Wild Blueberry Weekend, scheduled for August 3-4, 2024.
Now in its fourth year, the two-day event celebrates Maine’s iconic berry and puts the people who care for and harvest this special crop on center stage. Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate and learn more about the state’s native berry by exploring multiple Maine wild blueberry farms that are free and open to the public in Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington counties.
Over the last four years, Wild Blueberry Weekend has become a popular, annual tradition for locals and visitors. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine estimates that 7,533 individuals visited one or more of the 15 participating farms in 2023. This year, visitors can enjoy farm tours, rake wild blueberries, meet their local farmer, take in scenic wild blueberry vistas, and of course purchase fresh wild blueberries and other wild blueberry products like jams, pies, and syrups.
“Maine’s wild blueberry crop has been an integral part of our state’s agricultural heritage for generations. Most farms are family-owned and have been passed down from generation to generation for years,” said Eric Venturini, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine. “Wild Blueberry Weekend celebrates our iconic fruit and educates visitors about the importance of Maine’s wild blueberry industry. It also provides economic opportunities for the hard-working farmers who harvest our native berry and continue to propel this iconic Maine industry forward.”
Additionally, dozens of Maine businesses across the state are gearing up to serve special food and beverages made with wild blueberries throughout the weekend.
“We hope people will come from all over to celebrate Wild Blueberry Weekend and learn why Maine’s little berry, which is both delicious and good for you, is such an important part of our state’s culture and heritage. We know once they get a taste of the wild side, they’ll want to keep a stock of frozen wild blueberries in their freezer all year long,” said Venturini.
To map out your Wild Blueberry Weekend, visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com.
