The Blueberry Festival, which features a variety of vendors, music, activities and more, is slated from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday on the 100 block of West Washington Street and the 100 and 200 blocks of South Front Street in Marquette.

There’s much to look forward to this year in terms of attendance, organizers said.

“With the kind of turnout we had for Music on Third we had a few weeks ago, we are expecting a really big turnout come Friday,” said Tara Laase-McKinney, promotions and events coordinator for the Marquette Downtown Development Authority.

The event will feature sidewalk sales, food vendors, artists, musicians, pony rides and more. Downtown restaurants will offer blueberry fare, from blueberry pizza to blueberry beer, while many downtown shops will offer blue-related specials, organizers said.

Kathrerine Marsh buys a glass of Sweet Basil Catering Company’s blueberry lemonade from Lily Dixon during a previous Blueberry Festival. This year's festival is set for Friday in Downtown Marquette. (Journal file photo)

However, the number of vendors and activities will be slightly scaled back this year due to precautionary measures related to COVID-19, Laase-McKinney said.

“We are trying to keep the stages spread out and keep people moving,” she said.

The event also features live music sponsored by Travel Marquette throughout the day. The schedule is as follows:

≤ 10 a.m. Bayou Chocolat, Washington & Front intersection performance area

≤ 11 a.m., Fast Eddie, Phil Niemisto Pocket Park performance area

Kim Custard and her daughter Lynxi, then 2, dance in front of the music tent during 2019’s Blueberry Festival. This year’s Blueberry Festival is slated for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. (Journal file photo)

≤ 11:30 a.m. Jason Elsenbroek, Rosewood Walkway performance area

≤ 1 p.m., Troy Graham, Washington & Front intersection performance area

≤ 2 p.m., Chris Valenti, Phil Niemisto Pocket Park performance area

≤ 2:30 p.m., Blue Champagne, Rosewoo

d Walkway performance area

≤ 4 p.m., Blackberry Jam, Washington & Front intersection performance area

Gracie Buck, 2, paints with chalk paint near the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum booth at Main and Front street during a previous Blueberry Festival. (Journal file photo)

≤ 5 p.m., Lexi & Liv, Phil Niemisto Pocket Park performance area

≤ 5 p.m., Jenn Copeman, Rosewood Walkway performance area

Laase-McKinney said she was grateful for Travel Marquette’s sponsorship of this year’s live music.

“We do want to thank Travel Marquette for helping support Marquette this year,” she said.

For more information, visit www.downtownmarquette.org/downtown-events/blueberry-festival.

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.

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