Delightful “All Things Blueberry” Festival promises loads of family fun

by Dave Carew

One of Maine’s all-time most popular, beloved, and downright yummy summer events—Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival—is coming this year on Saturday, August 14, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the festival grounds is FREE.

Nearly 700 mouth-watering blueberry pies and “all things blueberry” baked goods will be available for sale. Blueberry pies ($12 each; $20 for 2; $10 each for additional pies) may be picked up at the church anytime from 3 to 6 p.m. the previous evening (Friday, August 13) or the day of the festival (Saturday, August 14) from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kicking off the 50th Annual Blueberry Festival on Saturday will be a delicious Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost of the breakfast will be $7 per person and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets for the pancake breakfast will be available in advance at Winslow Congregational Church on the Saturday prior to the festival (August 7) from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In addition to the “all things blueberry” pies and other culinary delights, festival patrons will enjoy a Lobster Shore-Dinner Raffle; live classical, pop, folk, and blues music; local crafts vendors; a yard sale; a popcorn vendor; an agricultural exhibit featuring goats; a dunk tank sponsored by Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry; and a firetruck and police car.

The night before the Blueberry Festival, there will be a Friday-evening (August 13) Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper (with “all the fixin’s”) at Winslow Congregational Church, which will be served by first-responders from the Clinton Fire Department. The Chicken Bar-B-Q Supper will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Blueberry pies, blueberry baked goods, and a yard sale also will be available during the Friday-evening supper. Cost of the Chicken Bar-B-Q supper is $12 per person, with advance tickets strongly encouraged, but day-of tickets also available. Advance tickets will be available at Winslow Congregational Church on the Saturdays prior to the festival (August 7) from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and also at Rita’s House of Pizza (51 Bay Street) and Pool Tech (28 Charland St .) during regular business hours through Thursday, August 12.

A beloved community favorite since 1972, the Blueberry Festival raises funds to empower the local humanitarian/Christian-service work of Winslow Congregational Church. Celebrating its 193rd birthday this year, the historic church is housed in a building dating from 1796, which has been home to a worshipping congregation since 1828.

Everyone seeking a wonderful opportunity to gather and enjoy a treasure trove of “all things blueberry” is cordially invited to attend this year’s Blueberry Festival. Mark your calendar now!

The 50th Annual Blueberry Festival is grateful for the support of both Hannaford Supermarkets, in Waterville, Rita’s House of Pizza, and Pool Tech, in Winslow, and Tradewinds Market, in Clinton.

For more information about the 50th annual Blueberry Festival, please visit: https://winslowucc.org/blueberry-festival/.