‘Blackberries and Blues’ make festival a tasty affair
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What do blackberries and the Blues have in common?
They comprise the theme for the 26th annual Illinois Valley Wild Blackberry Arts & Crafts Festival scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11 and 12.
Event organizer Mark Russo said that the festival will be bigger and better than in recent memory.
“There will be almost three times the entertainment this year,” Russo said.
Headlining this year will be “Broadway Phil and the Shouters,” who will play from 8 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 11 at Jubilee Park in Cave Junction. Ashland-based “Frankie Hernandez Band” will play from 6 to 8 p.m.
This year’s festival also will feature an afternoon stage show in Downtown Cave Junction. “Bruce Hanson” is slated to appear, along with “The Goldman Family.”
“The Goldman Family’s” act includes a 5-year-old who can play a fiddle behind his head, Russo said.
Selma resident Nicole Navarro will headline the afternoon stage show with her country rock.
Russo said that there will be events and attractions downtown and in Jubliee Park.
“We realized it had to stay downtown, but there’s no reason it can’t be all of town,” Russo said.
Aside from music, there also will be a co-ed softball tournament at the park’s field. Rick Dees is in charge of organizing the tournament. He said that there has been great response for the revival of that activity with several teams ready to take the field.
Jubilee Park will have several child-oriented exhibits and events, including a bounce house, which will be located by the playground. Russo said that Wildlife Images will have a display in the park mid-Saturday.
“It's all designed for young people so they have something enjoyable,” Russo said.
Events also are slated for the county building in Cave Junction, including a Cave Junction Lions Club breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and an art display and silent auction by Illinois River Valley Arts Council. There also will be a lunch, and bingo games. (Next week’s Illinois Valley News will feature details of the festival activities and who is sponsoring them.)
For Sunday, entertainment will include a karaoke contest and an open mic event for all comers.
“We’ll gladly host bands looking for exposure,” Russo said. Bands wishing to participate in the open mic should contact Russo in advance.
Russo was joined in his organizational efforts this year by Blackberry Festival board members Judy Russo, John Tree and Bear Marston. Angel Navarro and Dees also helped considerably, Russo said.
A drawing will be held during both days of the festival, and the grand prize is a two-day, three-night stay from Oct. 11 through 13 at the Running Y Ranch Resort in Klamath Falls. The lodging is valued at $350, Russo said.
The festival also is inviting nonprofit groups and churches to participate in this year's event with blackberry baked goods.
Vendors, crafters, musicians, sponsors and volunteers are still sought for the festival. Anyone interested in participating or helping can phone Russo at 592 6509 or visit www.wildblackberry.org. Donations to the festival can be made online through the Website, Russo said.
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