By JENNIFER MOONSONG
The first day of Edmonton’s Blueberry Festival on Friday saw the town square buzzing with excitement and activity with more attendants and vendors than ever before.
Just like in years past the Kentucky Blueberry Growers Association served up plate after plate of piping hot pancakes to get the day started. The pancake batter is made with locally grown berries, and served fresh off the griddle.
“We’ve had a lot of people out already this morning eating pancakes,” John Tubbs, KBGA member, said.
All of the pancakes get topped with John and Joellen Tubbs’ secret recipe blueberry sauce.
People of all ages enjoy the small town ambiance of the festival, now in its seventh year, but the event is a real treat for the young and young at heart.
“Sometimes I have more adults than kids to ride the train,” Ray Yates, and Elizabeth town vendor said.
Ray’s huge, moving train with its four colorful train cars is an eye catcher.
“It makes all kids of sounds, and I ring the bells and flash the lights,” Yates said. “I have a lot of happy little customers.”
Many of this years vendors, from across the map, catered to the children in attendance. Free games, contests and prizes for the children provided each year by the KBGA was once again a huge hit.
“I love being able to bring my kids out and take them somewhere like this where they can get outside and play without it costing me a fortune,” parent, Beth Carter, said. “It’s a great thing they are doing here and it reminds me of the things I did when I was little.”
Keeping the small town appeal is an important aspect of the festival for association members and festival-goers alike.
“We want to continue making this event about family and community,” Larry Martin, KBGA President said.
Gaye Shaw of the Edmonton-Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce is pleased with all that the Blueberry Festival does for Metcalfe County.
One vendor, Michael Rapts and his old-fashioned ice cream maker traveled all the way from Salem, Ind., to be a part of the excitement. “This is my first time here,” Rapts said. “And I’m really glad to be here and excited to see how it goes.”
Rapts was just one many vendors who traveled a long distance to be a part of the event.
“It’s grown tremendously,” Shaw said. “It’s a great two day event and it brings a lot of people to Edmonton.”
Next year’s eighth annual festival promises even more. “We would like to get in more local musicians and local arts and crafts people for next year,” Martin said. “We want it t grow but don’t want it to loose the small town appeal.”
