Eating blueberries and naming a new princess were among the activities at this year’s Florida Blueberry Festival
People were seeing blue everywhere April 12 and 13 when the Third Annual Florida Blueberry Festival commenced again inside the picturesque setting of downtown Brooksville.
Blueberry fans alike sampled blueberry-themed dishes and drinks from 18 different food concessionaires as they danced to the tunes of The Rocket Man Band, 7 Bridges, and other talented local entertainment. If that wasn’t enough, there was also the Mud Truck Show, a juried art show, and a performance by DanceCraft’s Blueberry Girls.
The “blueberry” on top of the festivities was the crowning of the 2014 Florida Blueberry Festival Princess, to eight-year-old Caroline Morgan of Brooksville. She is the very first Blueberry Princess ever to be crowned. “I was thrilled I was chosen to represent my community, the Florida Blueberry Festival and the Florida Blueberry Grower’s Association,” Caroline says. “I hope to share what I have learned about Florida blueberries with my teacher, classmates, and friends.”
Not only was Caroline a spokesperson for the festival, but she will also be an ambassador for the association as well. She took part, with her mother Lindsay, in spreading the word about the festival through handing out flyers and postcards to community members.
“Through our marketing campaign, the festival is committed to bringing awareness to the nutritional and health benefits of blueberries, while also helping Florida become recognized as a blueberry-growing state,” says Lindsay.
Being named Princess also came with the exciting task of picking out a dress and outfit for the two-day festival, which Caroline enjoyed doing with her grandmother, mother, and brother. “It was special just being able to spend that time together!” Lindsay recalls with a smile.
But what really did Caroline look most forward to when it came to this year’s blueberry festival? “Getting to play in the Blueberry Patch Kids Zone, and eating the yummy, fresh Florida blueberries!”
Outside of her duties as princess, Caroline is an honor student at her elementary school, and enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming, arts and crafts, and playing soccer. She is also fond of all animals, and aspires to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
story by BLAIR TOWNLEY
