August 21st, 2023
AFT Joins 60th Anniversary of the National Blueberry Festival in Michigan
This year was the 60th anniversary of the National Blueberry Festival in South Haven, Michigan! This region is one of the top producers of blueberries nationwide, as Michigan blueberries are grown, harvested, packed, and processed by 575 family farms annually. This activity contributes nearly $132 million to the state’s economy. (source: Michigan Ag Facts and Figures)
AFT was a sponsor of this year’s Pie Social on August 10th where hundreds of festivalgoers gathered to kick off the start of the long weekend celebrations. A few local farms participated in the Farm Day before the Social, where folks were able to visit and pick as many blueberries as they could carry. An estimated 25,000 people traveled to this small lakeside town throughout the four-day festival to celebrate.
Throughout the festival, participants enjoyed Michigan blueberries in dozens of forms from the various vendors present. Friendly volunteers served blueberry pancakes each morning, and locally brewed blueberry beers each evening, during the live music performances on the waterfront.
AFT was interviewed by local news the morning of Friday, August 11th to discuss the importance of agriculture-focused festivals like these and the important of the farms that support them.
Members of our marketing team were on the ground throughout the weekend to speak to attendees about farmland protection and potential Michigan farmland loss across the state. We even had a chance to meet THE Blueberry!