BY BILL BRADLEY
The local hills are alive with blueberries. And to celebrate, Sudbury Blueberry Festival organizers have arranged some great activities.
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Karen Jeza from Decorative Expressions Studio shows Leslie Stepancich how to paint blueberries during a free workshop this week at the Sudbury Arts Council office. |
The biggest celebration takes place today at Memorial Park downtown. Activities move down the street to Market Square Saturday. Events are also taking place in Capreol and Skead. Minnow Lake Days are being held in conjunction with the festival.
From 8:30 am today, Memorial Park hosts the Blueberry Blast in Memorial Park. It starts with the Investor?s Group annual blueberry pancake breakfast.
Human Resources Centre of Canada for Students will be doing face painting for children and All Nations Church volunteers welcome children and their parents to the children?s story tent.
The Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association entertains with games and treats, all free. Girl Guides of Canada shows girls how to have fun and gain skills with guiding.
From 11:30 am to 3 pm, the Older Adult Centre has a barbecue featuring hot dogs and hamburgers. There will also be numerous food and gift vendors.
On Saturday the Blueberry Bash at Market Square gets underway, beginning with the Investor?s Group pancake breakfast followed by the Older Adult Centre?s barbecue lunch.
There will also be hourly entertainment and children?s activities. Organizations with booths include Northern Agri-food Education Marketing, Sudbury and District Health Unit, Village International, Canadian Mental Health Association and Child Find Ontario.
The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum in Capreol hosts a Blueberry Garden Party at 11 am to 4 pm Saturday.
Events at the Minnow Lake Days include art demonstrations by the Sudbury Art Club at 10 am and the Blueberry Idol contest at 5:30 pm both at Minnow Lake Place at 1127 Bancroft Dr.
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Blueberry Festival Committee member Maureen Johnson dances to blueberry tunes with Blueberry Bear at the official opening ceremonies at Minnow Lake Place. |
The first annual Blueberry Festival and Minnow Lake Days bicycle tour gets underway at 9 am Sunday at Minnow Lake Place.
It involves the Tour de Sudbury, the 24-km Ramsey Lake Circle tour around the best kept secret Sudbury holds dear ? the majesty of the blue waters of Ramsey Lake. It starts at 10 am. There is a $5 entry fee, or $10 for a family. Kids under14 years must be accompanied by an adult. There is a shorter route to Moonlight Beach and return plus a special kids ride around Minnow Lake itself.
Sunday, the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale will run from 8 am to noon at the Skead Community Centre. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.
The Older Adult Centre holds a Blueberry Brunch from 10 am to 2 pm at the Centre for Life at 140 Durham St. Tickets are adults $10, children $5, 10 and under.
Lastly at 7 pm Sunday evening, the 19 th annual Blueberry Festival winds down at the Bell Park Gazebo with entertainment.
