It’s Blueberry Time in Michigan!
Neha Jain
| 2 min read
The state of Michigan ranks first in highbush blueberry production, with growers producing over 100 million pounds of blueberries every year! So, it is only fitting that Michigan and its farmers would host some of America’s most renowned blueberry festivals during the peak of the sweet fruit’s growing season. Below are a few that are fast-approaching:
- The 50th Annual National Blueberry Festival | South Haven, MI | August 8-11, 2013
- The 42nd Annual Montrose Blueberry Festival | Montrose, MI | August 15-18, 2013
- The 28th Annual Wild Blueberry Festival | Paradise, MI | August 16-18, 2013
These festivals are a great way to experience different corners of Michigan, involve the whole family and learn more about the agriculture in our great state! Various contests, races and forms of entertainment for all ages make the blueberry festivals in Michigan the perfect way to enjoy the summer season before heading back to school.
Aside from making great summer festivals, blueberries are also fun to pick. If you still need a blueberry fix between or after the festivals, I would highly recommend heading out and picking your own. PickYourOwn.org is a great resource for finding farms near you, and offers helpful picking and preparation tips.
The good news about blueberries is they have some incredible health benefits. They are constantly ranked as having one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants among all fruits and vegetables; Antioxidants are absolutely crucial to your health because they fight free radicals and allow your body to put up its best defense. So, blueberries are important for fighting infections, heart disease, and some cancers, and have even been found to improve memory. Furthermore, they are full of Vitamin C, good dietary fibers, manganese, and iron, and only contain about 80 calories in a single cup!
Blueberries are healthy, easy to eat, and in their prime right now! How will you enjoy them this season?
