Some old time Blueberry Fest vibes

To the Editor,

I read with great interest the article about the Imlay City Summer Fest, and the remark within which stated it had “some old time Blueberry Festival vibes.” I was not only a supporter but an avid worker for the Blueberry Festival for many years. I just want to say I remember when we had both sides of Third Street lined with vendors of all kinds, selling many things that were popular at the time.

Volunteers went and got the blueberries, which were sold fresh in a “walking cup” for a dollar (my idea). Blueberries were also sold by quarts, and of course by pounds in boxes, or lugs as they were then called, and the museum always had fresh pie and coffee for sale.

There was a big ado about the parade always, for which the railroad was closed for a small amount of time—yes really shut down—and hundreds lined the curbs, in chairs, on blankets, and cheered as the parade passed by. So many people, so much fun.

There were outhouse races, a dunk tank, food vendors who came back year after year. Yes, and I must not forget the amount of hard work that Lorraine and Dan Filer did for the “Little Miss Blueberry” contest. There are always leaders and followers in every event, people who see the great outcome of fun for the people, and the people who are not afraid to take up cause and do the work. That’s what it takes.

There were so many meetings, phone calls, good ideas, great ideas, and yes not so good ideas, but when teamwork came together, it produced a most memorable event.

I hope this is the beginning of the rebirth of the “festival,” blueberries or not. Just a note…did you know that when Traverse City has the Cherry Festival, there are years they import their cherries, because local ones are not ready?

My humble congratulations to the Imlay City Chamber and to all the volunteers, on perhaps a new beginning.

—Diane Malczewski
Attica