Help blueberry festival clean up its act
Posted 05/29/2008
Pictured above, the late Shirley Clark and her husband Bill Clark were ready and willing to keep Main Street spic and span at the 2006 Texas Blueberry Festival. Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful estimates it would take nearly 300 volunteers working fulltime to keep downtown and Festival Plaza clean during this year’s festival on June 14. With the help of festival attendees, the job will be much more manageable. (Photo: Bruce R. Partain)
The 19th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival, presented by Brookshire Brothers and produced by Nacogdoches County Chamber, will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 14, on the downtown brick streets and in Festival Plaza.
“It will be a delightful day of blueberry fun for the 10,000 to 15,000 local and out-of-town festival attendees that we’re expecting,” said festival Chairman Joe Scifo. “The festival is a litter-free event thanks to Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful. Our charming downtown stays beautiful, because the KNB volunteers work the entire day managing trash.”
Before the first blueberry pancake is flipped, KNB will have already placed dozens of cardboard receptacles throughout the festival area.
“In order for the litter-free event to work, we need for everyone to look for the cardboard trashcans with the KNB logo on it – and use them,” said Debbie Stevens, KNB immediate past chair and one of the current festival planners. “It’s an opportunity to set a good example for children.”
Scifo said that he is amazed at the thought of a small blueberry serving as the inspiration for the huge Texas Blueberry Festival that so many enjoy.
According to Karen Tucker with Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas AgriLife Extension, the blueberry deserves to be celebrated due to the long list of health benefits it packs in its small package.
“So many now know that blueberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants,” Tucker said. “The American Institute for Cancer Research has reported that blueberries can slow the aging process and reduce cell damage that can lead to cancer. Other benefits include improved vision, clearing arteries, strengthening blood vessels, enhancing memory, stopping urinary tract infections, reversing age-related physical and mental declines and promoting weight control. So I’ll be eating my blueberries!”
Fresh blueberries and blueberry treats, live entertainment, children’s activities, competitions and exhibitions will dazzle visitors of all ages. All the details including event times, locations, registration forms and new additions may be found by visiting www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com or the Nacogdoches County Chamber office at 2516 North St. Commemorative festival t-shirts, posters, hats and cooling neck wraps are available at the Chamber office, and t-shirts are also available at the downtown Visitors Center.
“I have to thank our top sponsor this year, Brookshire Brothers, and they happen to be the first Blue Diamond sponsor in Blueberry Festival history,” said Scifo.
The Nacogdoches County Chamber board of directors and staff would also like to recognize and thank the following festival sponsors:
Blue Diamond Sponsor
Brookshire Brothers
Blue Topaz Sponsors
1st Choice Personnel
Wal-Mart
Blue Ribbon Sponsors
Consolidated Communications
Kroger
Region’s Bank
Hayter’s Mill Creek Farm
Lehman Eye Center
Texas Farm Products
Huntington State Bank
Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry
Suddenlink
Blue Sky Sponsors
Citizens 1st Bank
Sam’s Club
Etech, Inc.
Timber Springs
Nacogdoches Medical Center
Blue True Sponsors
BancorpSouth
The Blood Center
The Daily Sentinel
Blue Buddy Sponsors
Adams, Belanger, Atherton, LoStracco
Aflac
Allcom AT&T Authorized Dealer
Austin Bank
Excel Car Wash
First Bank & Trust East Texas
Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center
Leon and Patsy Hallman
Major In-Kind Sponsors
The Blueberry Place
City of Nacogdoches
GAP Broadcasting
Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful
KJ-103 FM
KSWP 90.9
Lone Star Equipment
Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Nacogdoches County Expo
Pinecrest Children’s Academy
Texas Forest Service
The Daily Sentinel
Tipton Ford
University Rental
Yates Broadcasting