Texas is so good at throwing a party.  There are some killer festivals every year that have food as the central focus, and there might be none better than the Texas Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches.  And it's less than a month away.

The Texas Blueberry Festival is coming up June 9th in downtown Nacogdoches, and once again there is no holding back.  We can start with a blueberry pancake breakfast, and eat blueberry-laced sweet and savory creations all day long, and mix in some sausage on a stick and fried twinkies for variety.  Arrive hungry and eat all day.

It's a lot about the food, but there will be other things to look forward to at the Blueberry Festival too like a car show, a 5k, a pet parade, shopping, and plenty of activities for kids.  They're expecting 20,000 people again this year.

5 Reasons to Love the Texas Blueberry Festival

1.  You can pick your own blueberries.   They'll have free shuttles to the Blueberry Place farm every ten minutes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festival organizers say you can get a free ticket to reserve your shuttle time at the tent on Church St. a block north of Main Street. It's $1.50 a pound, and you can pick your own berries fresh from the bush.

2.  The variety of food.  From blueberry pie to blueberry jams, jellies, and salsas, there will be no shortage of culinary creations that totally rock your palate and make you wonder why you don't make that dish every Saturday at home.  You may start the habit after this festival if they'll share the recipes with you.

3.  The best, fresh blueberries.  These are the plump ones that you high five yourself for finding in those plastic containers in the coolers at the grocery store.  These are the big, sweet, and juicy ones that the kids fight you for.  Brookshire Brothers will haul them in and sell them for $2.50 a pint, and they'll be set up at the intersection of Pilar and S. Pecan St. - near City Hall and Dolli's Diner.  Texas grown!

4. The Pie Eating Contest.  Instead of wolfing down a whole lotta pie at our kitchen tables like a regular Saturday, we can earn some real bragging rights if we win this organized contest.  We can register at the event from 9 to 10 a.m. on Pilar St. in front of City Hall.  The 12-and-younger contests run at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Adult contests will run 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

5.The Blue Washerboard Tournament.  The competition will be downtown at Festival Park starting at 10 a.m.  Registration deadline is Tuesday, June 5 at the C.L. Simon Recreation Center, 1112 North Street. Cost is $10 per two-person team and there will be cash prizes.  Burn a calorie, and then go eat some blueberry muffins dipped in blueberry puddin'.

The Texas Blueberry Festival happens Saturday, June 9th in downtown Nacogdoches from 8am to 4pm.   Pack a bib and some wet naps, and we'll see ya there.

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