June 2004
 38th Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival
Jon Williams
Executive Director
As we approach the beginning of Summer, plans are being made for the largest four day celebration in Indiana happening in Plymouth over Labor Day Weekend. The 38th annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival will take place at Centennial Park in Plymouth beginning on Friday, September 3rd and concluding on Labor Day, Monday, September 6th. Over 500,000 people are expected to visit that weekend from over a 5 state area and from around the country.
The event in 2004 will once again feature over 375 local and national arts and crafters and over 120 food booths, featuring the best in blueberry and non-blueberry items. Entertainment will be featured on three stages during the weekend with local, regional and national acts including:
National Country recording artist Suzy Bogguss
National Bluegrass recording artist
Pine Mountain Railroad
National Gospel recording artist The Hoppers
Featured activities include the 32nd annual Hoosier Old Wheels Car Show and Swap Meet, the annual Balloon Glow and spectacular Fireworks show, one of the largest shows in the Midwest, and the annual Blueberry Stomp race through the streets of Plymouth. One of the longest running Parades in Indiana, the Blueberry Festival Parade, will kick off on Labor Day morning with over 100 units and 10 local and regional bands. Over 20,000 people will line the streets of downtown Plymouth to watch the units and to welcome the annual Queen and her court to the Festival.
In addition, many sporting activities including baseball, tennis, volleyball, softball, and bicycling will be featured during the festival and annual events including the Garden Tractor Pull, Horse Pull, Horseshoe Pitch and Carnival are always favorites. MegaPasses will once again be available this year for $40 for unlimited Carnival rides. Passes will be available in August.
The Festival's main goals are to provide family activities at a reasonable cost with a festive atmosphere, provide assorted sporting events, crafts, food, entertainment, parade, fireworks and other activities that encourage participants and families to attend. In addition, another goal is to make an impact in the local community in the areas of fund raising and donations for local non-profit groups. The Blueberry Festival reaches out every year to assist local groups in their fundraising efforts and strives to make a difference in the Marshall County area.
To help us in our endeavors, we are always looking for partners for this community event. We would like to thank the following local business partners for their assistance in 2004. They are: Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Northern Indiana REMC's, NIPSCO, Tanimura and Antle, Sprint, Tennessee Pride Sausage and many others! For questions or to participate, please call the Festival office at 574-936-5020. |
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