Blueberries plentiful at Lake George festival

By Sarah Smithssmith@parkrapidsenterprise.com The blueberries were bountiful in Lake George last weekend. That’s a first in years. The crop has trickled in, but vendors weren’t selling blueberries past 10 a.m. most Saturdays for the annual Lake George Blueberry Festival. This year, due to ample rains and perfect growing conditions, the star of the show was truly the star. The town was selling blueberry lemonade, blueberry brats, blueberry slushies, you name it. And, of course, blueberry pancakes. “This year they are wonderful,” said Debbie Yennie of the crop. She owns First Fruits Blueberry Farms with husband Mike. The couple’s farm, near Park Rapids, sells berries or lets customers pick their own. For the Yennies, the Blueberry Festival liquidated their stock mightily, scoop by scoop.
At the Lake George kids’ carnival Saturday afternoon, 31 bikes were given away to the lucky ticket-holders. “One kid already tried to bribe John (the gatekeeper) for a nickel,” laughed Deb Manz, who organizes the giveaway annually. The boy thought 5 cents might buy him an early chance Saturday morning. Two thriving flea markets operated two blocks apart, offering food treats, hand-made goods and collectibles. Although some rain showers came through Lake George on Sunday, people came out in droves for the annual blueberry pancake breakfast, put on by the Lake George Fire Department. People were lined up out to Highway 71 for most of the morning. The parade concluded the weekend of activities in Lake George.By Sarah Smithssmith@parkrapidsenterprise.comThe blueberries were bountiful in Lake George last weekend.That’s a first in years. The crop has trickled in, but vendors weren’t selling blueberries past 10 a.m. most Saturdays for the annual Lake George Blueberry Festival.This year, due to ample rains and perfect growing conditions, the star of the show was truly the star.The town was selling blueberry lemonade, blueberry brats, blueberry slushies, you name it.And, of course, blueberry pancakes.“This year they are wonderful,” said Debbie Yennie of the crop. She owns First Fruits Blueberry Farms with husband Mike.The couple’s farm, near Park Rapids, sells berries or lets customers pick their own.For the Yennies, the Blueberry Festival liquidated their stock mightily, scoop by scoop.
At the Lake George kids’ carnival Saturday afternoon, 31 bikes were given away to the lucky ticket-holders.“One kid already tried to bribe John (the gatekeeper) for a nickel,” laughed Deb Manz, who organizes the giveaway annually. The boy thought 5 cents might buy him an early chance Saturday morning.Two thriving flea markets operated two blocks apart, offering food treats, hand-made goods and collectibles.Although some rain showers came through Lake George on Sunday, people came out in droves for the annual blueberry pancake breakfast, put on by the Lake George Fire Department.People were lined up out to Highway 71 for most of the morning.The parade concluded the weekend of activities in Lake George.