Nacogdoches business owners all in for 35th Texas Blueberry Festival
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Nacogdoches business owners all in for 35th Texas Blueberry Festival
The Texas Blueberry Festival is the only state-sanctioned festival all about blueberries. In 2022, the festival brought in almost half a million dollars to the city. The festival kicks off tomorrow at 8 am in downtown Nacogdoches, with a blueberry pancake breakfast. It’s one of their busiest days of the year.
For something like the Texas Blueberry Festival though, owner John Reynolds says it’s perfect for the occasion.
“Just a wild idea that we tried and it’s very good. It’s a big day for the businesses downtown. There’s a lot of traffic, foot traffic downtown. I mean this place will be packed,” said Reynolds.
The Blueberry Festival is the only state-sanctioned festival all about blueberries.
In 2022, the festival brought in almost half a million dollars to the city.
Some business owners try to get a slice of that blueberry pie.
“We’ve got more blueberry stuff than I can even remember,” said Reynolds.
Right next door to Stonehouse Kitchen, House of traditions gift shop Sales Associates say they’re ready for the wave of blueberry lovers.
While they don’t have any blueberry foods to offer, they do have some blueberry towels.
“They’re so cute. Little teacups and blueberries,” said Sales Associate Anne Bentley.
With thousands of people coming to downtown Nacogdoches, both shops agree their profits rise the day of the festival, and it’s one of their busiest days of the year.
The Blueberry Festival kicks off tomorrow at 8 am in downtown Nacogdoches, with a blueberry pancake breakfast.
Copyright 2025 KTRE. All rights reserved.
35th annual Texas Blueberry Festival set to place Saturday
The 35th annual Texas Blueberry Festival is set to take place Saturday in Nacogdoches. Organizers expect to have more than 20,000 attendees. The event started as a way to get families out in the community and to help downtown businesses generate more business. Tipton Ford, the event’s presenting sponsor, is bringing a NASCAR simulator ride to the festival this year.
“We used to have a blueberry farm here and now it’s Texas Blueberry Festival to celebrate our blueberries,” Grace Handler, the chairperson for the festival said.
She said they expect to have more than 20,000 attendees. Every year the city’s downtown becomes a hub for all things blueberry, including blueberry competitions and activities like blueberry pancakes with the Nacogdoches Lions Club.
Handler said a year’s worth of planning goes into each festival.
“When you ask about planning, it starts the same day, in fact it starts the day before when we are out marking vendor spots,” Handler said.
As they prepare for this year’s festival, she said the celebration started as a way to get families out in the community and to help downtown businesses generate more business. According to Handler that is still one of the reasons they continue with the tradition.
“People think ‘Is it going to help me?’ If you’re a downtown business owner or if you’re a non-profit and you’re part of this, it helps every facet of Nacogdoches,” Handler said.
One change to expect this year is a pet costume competition instead of the pet parade. Organizers made the change due to concerns over hot pavement.
Tipton Ford, the event’s presenting sponsor, is bringing a NASCAR simulator ride this year.
“So, if you want to meet the friendliest people, the kindest people and you really want to see it in action. Come out to the Texas Blueberry Festival and have some fun,” Handler said.
Copyright 2025 KTRE. All rights reserved.
Source: https://www.ktre.com/2025/06/14/nacogdoches-business-owners-all-35th-texas-blueberry-festival/