This weekend marks the 13th annual N.C. Blueberry Festival in Burgaw. The festival celebrates the historic, economic and cultural significance of blueberries in the southeastern region of the state.
 
Blueberries are a native North American fruit, and North Carolina is one of the largest producers of highbush blueberries according to the N.C. Cooperative Extension. Although commercial production is mostly limited to southeastern North Carolina, blueberries can be grown anywhere in the state if the right blueberry species and proper soil modifications are used.
 
“The N.C. Blueberry Festival is an agricultural-based festival focused on promoting the industry as well as providing scholarships for students entering agricultural fields of study,” said festival coordinator Olivia Dawson.
 
The festival awards $20,000 in scholarships annually to students from Bladen, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender and Sampson counties.
 
A full schedule of events are planned for Friday and Saturday, ranging from live entertainment to a car show, a model train display, a street fair, a recipe contest, a barbeque cook-off, a shag contest and a 5K run.

Barbeque cook-off contestants are judged on the taste of their barbecue as well as the sauce served with it. The recipe contest is divided into six categories, including a youth category for children ages 9-15. Each recipe must include at least one cup of North Carolina blueberries and will be judged on taste, presentation, originality and ease of preparation.

For a full schedule of events click here.

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