The event draws in several hundred community members to enjoy live music, kids activities and, of course, lots of blueberries.
Moorestown residents, as well as those from surrounding towns, are invited to kick off the summer season at Trinity Episcopal Church’s 10th annual Blueberry Festival on Friday, June 16. The event draws several hundred people to enjoy live music, kids activities and, of course, lots of blueberries.
The Blueberry Festival began in 2008 with the donation of blueberries from a Hammonton grower, Blue Buck Brand, who was a supplier to Eric Hoversen, a Vestry member at Trinity Church at the time. Hammonton is known as the “blueberry capital of the world,” and Hoverson saw this as the perfect opportunity to start a new fundraiser at the church. He started the fundraiser with help from his wife, Dorothy, and parishioners. The festival is always held on the third Friday in June.
“The parishioners of Trinity Church really unite and come together to offer a great time for young families in our community,” Hoverson said.
Kids will be entertained with a balloon artist, a bounce house and face painting. Adults can relax while listening to The Collins/Flynn Band, and the entire family can enjoy the unlimited drinks and ice cream with blueberries that come with admission. Chess players can also challenge grandmaster Rafael Declet to a friendly match.
Throughout the years, the church has made small changes to the festival, such as having parishioners volunteer as opposed to hiring and moving the festival to be completely outdoors.
“Every year there’s been a little twist to make it different and try to improve it,” Hoverson said. “There have been some fun additions that we have done throughout the years.”
There will be blueberries for sale, blueberries to top homemade desserts and homemade blueberry jam. In addition to blueberry pints, flats and jam, festival goers can purchase hot dogs and sausage sandwiches hot off the grill prepared by the Trinity choir. The church’s preschool will also have a table set up with information for interested attendees.
Hoverson says he has always received positive feedback from attendees, and especially parents, on the family-friendly festival, and adults are always a fan of the music. The event is rain or shine, and Hoverson says the church has been fortunate to always have had a great turnout.
“We’ve even had some people that bring their own chairs and sit out and just enjoy the live music,” he said. “It’s just a great night of family fun.”
The 10th annual Blueberry Festival will take place on Friday, June 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 207 W. Main St. in Moorestown. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and free for kids under 3 and are purchased at the door. All proceeds will benefit the church. For more information, visit www.trinitymoorestown.org.
