Danny Federico: reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The sweetest weekend of the year is right around the corner as the Blackberry Festival returns to downtown Jasper on Saturday, June 21! This annual celebration, hosted by Riverbend News, promises a day full of fun, food and camaraderie from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
From blackberry cobblers to cornhole competitions, this year's festival is bursting with family-friendly activities and delicious local treats. Headlining the festivities is the "Treats for Transplants Bake-off," a fundraiser to support Hannah Albritton, a 15-year-old who is preparing for a bone marrow transplant on Tuesday, June 24, due to a rare autoimmune disease.
The bake-off will be held on the tennis courts from 10 a.m. to noon, where local bakers will go head-to-head with their best blackberry-themed pies and cobblers. Entries will be judged on taste, presentation and consistency. Trophies will be awarded to the first and second-place winners in each category. Submissions can be entered for $25, and attendees can sample entries and cast votes through donations—all proceeds will go directly to the Albritton family.
In addition to the bake-off, the festival will feature live music from local band Faster than Flash, along with plenty of food trucks, craft vendors, a kids zone with Touch-a-Truck activities, and a cornhole tournament sponsored by Interchange Cornhole Crew.
Individuals interested in competing in the tournament can do so for $25 per person. Sign-ups will begin at 9 a.m., and bags will begin to fly at 10 a.m. This blind draw tournament is open to all amatuer players.
Sponsorships are still available for the cornhole tournament at Bronze ($75), Silver ($125) and Gold ($250) tiers, offering a variety of advertising opportunities in Riverbend News' publication and during the festival itself. Sponsorships will help us reach our goal of $500 and more for tournament prizes!
Additionally, spots are still open in the Miss Blackberry Photogenic Contest. Open categories include Baby Miss (11 months and under), Infant Miss (12 to 23 months), Tiny Miss (2 to 3 years), Little Miss (4 to 6 years), Young Miss (7 to 9 years), Junior Miss (10 to 12 years), Teen Miss (13 to 15 years) and Miss (16 to 18 years). Entries must be enlarged to a 5-inch by 7-inch photo, printed and delivered in person. Only one photo per contestant may be entered. Photos must have been taken after Jan. 1, 2025. Judging will be based on the uniqueness of the photo, how well the moment was captured, the contestant’s personality being displayed, and photogenic quality. An entry fee of $15 will apply for each photo. Winners will be announced on Riverbend News’ Facebook page. All winners will be able to receive a crown and sash on the day of the festival. To enter or learn more, contact Danny Federico at (386) 364-4141 or email reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com.
We're still accepting vendors, too. For more information or to obtain a vendor application, contact our office at (386) 364-4141 or email bookkeeper.riverbendnews@gmail.com. Vendor fees are due no later than Monday, June 2.
Of course, no Blackberry Festival would be complete without everything blackberry-flavored—ice cream, baked goods, and freshly made delights await this event filled with sweet summer fun!
The Blackberry Festival will be held at Jasper City Park, located at 205 Hatley St.