The Hockinson Blueberry Festival will return Saturday, July 18, bringing together local blueberry farms, food vendors, artisans and live entertainment for the community's annual summertime celebration.
Hosted by the Hockinson Main Street Team and the Hockinson School District, the festival will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hockinson Community Center, located at the corner of Northeast 159th Street and Northeast 182nd Avenue in Brush Prairie.
New this year is a 16-foot inflatable blueberry mascot that organizers say will serve as a landmark for festivalgoers.
Visitors can purchase fresh-picked blueberries directly from local growers while enjoying live music, blueberry-themed treats, a pie-eating contest and a blueberry baking contest. Returning favorites include blueberry lemonade, blueberry coffee cake and blueberry milkshakes.
"Most of these items are only available once a year," said Justin VanNatta, owner of Hockinson Market and a member of the Hockinson Main Street Team, in a press release previewing the event.
Live music will be provided by the Thilo Kluth Trio and Kirby Swatosh.
This year's festival will feature 29 vendors, including three local blueberry farms — Majestic Farms Blueberries, Prairie Berry Farm and Hummingbird Hill Farm — along with food vendors, artisans and community organizations.
Festival organizers say the event highlights Hockinson's agricultural heritage while supporting local businesses.
"This festival is really unique," said Dan Avery and Victoria Tullett, owners of Hummingbird Hill Blueberry Farm, in the release. "Our town's blueberry farms — big and small — work together to spotlight Hockinson and its independent businesses. It's really something that the community looks forward to every summer."
In addition to blueberry growers, vendors include Amelia's Mexican Food, Hearth Coffee, Dough Mama, Yanni's Thai, Kona Ice, Bee Goods, Clark County Conservation District, WSU Master Gardeners and numerous local farms and handcrafted goods vendors.
Admission is free, the release states.
For more information, visit the Hockinson Main Street Team Facebook page or by emailing info@hockmainstreet.com.
