Maine’s Third Annual Wild Blueberry Weekend Set for August 5-6, 2023
Ah, summer in Maine . . . that incredible time of year we all wait for is just around the corner! With summer comes the opportunity to enjoy fun outings and excursions with family and friends. If you’re looking for a new event to add to your summer fun list, we’ve got something wild to share with you: The third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend is set for August 5-6, 2023. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine has organized this two-day, multi-location event to engage locals and visitors in celebrating Maine’s native berry and the local farms and businesses that propel this iconic Maine industry forward.
Attendees will be able to explore 17 different wild blueberry farms located in Franklin, Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington Counties for free. Some farms plan to open their doors to the public simply to sell delicious fresh wild blueberries directly to consumers, while others will host a wide range of farm activities and tours.
Additionally, dozens of Maine businesses are gearing up to serve special food and beverages made with wild blueberries throughout the weekend.
Everyone can find a wild activity they’re sure to enjoy. Rake fresh wild blues by hand in a brilliantly blue field, sip thirst-quenching cocktails by the water at sunset, or sink your teeth into mouth watering dishes crafted by Maine-based bakers and chefs. Whatever you choose to do is entirely up to you, but make sure to squeeze every wild blueberry-related activity into your itinerary! For a full list of the participating local wild blueberry farms and businesses (and the incredible activities they have planned), visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com.
Explore the Best of Maine’s Wild Places
“Maine’s wild blueberry farms are family traditions that often go back six, seven, or even eight generations…” said Eric Venturini, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, “…and Wild Blueberry Weekend is the opportunity to celebrate this tradition with the dedicated, hard-working farmers who harvest this special Maine berry. The weekend provides a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about the industry that is so important to our state and nation.” Last year, Governor Janet Mills even honored the event by officially proclaiming the first weekend of August 2022, as the second annual Wild Blueberry Weekend.
Native to our Northeastern state, wild blueberries have been prospering in the barrens of Maine for over 10,000 years, and unlike ordinary blueberries, wild blueberries are completely untouched and unaltered by man. They are one of three native North American fruits, and for over a hundred years, Maine’s multigenerational family-owned farms have passed their land down through the years, giving each generation the opportunity to sustainably steward their portion of the crop. In total, Maine’s 485 wild blueberry farmers can produce more than 100 million pounds of wild blueberries each year. Maine is the only state in the U.S. with significant commercial production of this wild crop.
Plan Your Family’s Wild Blueberry Weekend Itinerary
If you’re planning on heading to Maine this August or are lucky to live in our neck of the woods, make sure to map out your family’s weekend itinerary. You can do so by browsing through the Wild Blueberry Weekend map which highlights the 40+ participating businesses, as well as the 15 participating wild blueberry farms located throughout the state.
If you decide to join the fun and participate in Wild Blueberry Weekend, make sure to tag us using #WildBlueberryWeekend, and follow along with @wildblueberries on Instagram and Facebook.
To learn more about Wild Blueberry Weekend, visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com. If you’re curious about the health benefits, origin, and ways to enjoy wild blueberries, visit www.wildblueberries.com for research, recipes, and more.