BY
BILL BRADLEY
Communities around the world will turn green with envy as
Greater Sudbury celebrates all things blue during the 20th
anniversary of the Blueberry Festival.
Events officially kick off this weekend on Sunday at 7 pm at
the William Bell Park Gazebo with a performance by the Sudbury
Blues Brothers.
This year, Voice Print Canada is the lead agency for
organizing the popular series of events held across Greater
Sudbury.
"Our big days are next Friday at Memorial Park from 8:30 am
and Saturday at Market Square from 8 am but as always, there
are many related events taking place all over Greater Sudbury,"
says festival co-ordinator Mikki Garofolo.
"We have contests too. Our mascot, the Sud-Berry Bear,
decided he was in need of a girlfriend, but the girl bear he
found has amnesia from a nasty fall. We are asking for name
suggestions for his new date throughout the festival."
Next Tuesday, the One Eleven Senior Citizen's Centre at 111
Larch St. hosts a Blueberry Social at 1:30 pm.
There are some new participants this year for the Blueberry
Festival.
The Sudbury Real Estate Board is hosting its first annual
garden tour of nine beautiful gardens, Wednesday, July 19, from
1 pm to 7 pm.
Catherine Bernier, a real estate agent and director of the
organization, says the garden tour will be fun and a learning
experience for those who want ideas to spruce up their yards.
"I went on a garden tour at Lake Wanapitae a while ago and
had so much fun I thought I would suggest it for the Blueberry
Festival. It is educational because if you plan on selling your
home first impressions are everything in real estate sales,"
Bernier said.
Tickets for the self-guided garden tour are $10, which
includes a map. Proceeds are for the next Habitat For Humanity
house building project. Call 673-3388.
On Wednesday afternoon there will be a blueberry tea with
blueberry treats at Red Oak Villa at 20 St Anne Rd. from 1:30
to 3:30 pm.
"We just opened our doors June 1. We are a retirement
residence and already we are half full. So we thought we'd
invite the community out for blueberry iced tea and blueberry
pastries like our delicious muffins," said Valerie Zuliani,
community relations person for Autumnwood, owners of the
residence.
On Thursday, the Southwind Retirement Residence, 1645 Paris
St., hosts prizes, tours, entertainment and refreshments from 2
to 4 pm.
The Ukrainian Senior's Centre hosts their 20th annual
Blueberry Family Garden Party from 10 am to 2 pm at 30 Notre
Dame Ave.
A big crowd always is present for the Celebrity Pie Eating
Contest outside the Rainbow Centre at 11:45 pm.
The big Friday event is the Blueberry Bash in Memorial Park
starting at 8:30 am with the Better Beginnings Better Futures
all-day breakfast. Many organizations have booths onsite
including All Nations Church, Junction Creek Stewardship
Committee, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Sudbury
Children's Services, Foodshed Project and others.
Two events highlight Saturday, July 22 starting with the
Blueberry Blast at Market Square beginning at 8:30 am with a
pancake breakfast and continuing to 4 pm. Later at 11 am, the
Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre hosts a
Blueberry Garden Party in Capreol. Phone 858-5050.
The Blueberry Festival winds down next Sunday with a
blueberry breakfast and bake sale hosted by the Skead
Recreation Committee. Phone 969-4633.
Musician Kevin Closs closes the festival with a performance at 7 pm at the William Bell Park Gazebo. At that time, the Sud-Berry bear will find out the name of his new girlfriend.