Summer is heating up, and that means farmers are bringing those iconic summer tastes to your local farmers market. And June 29, New Harvest Park Farmers Market celebrated one of summer’s sweetest flavors with the Blueberry Festival, now in its seventh year. Farmers brought more than blueberries, though. Sweet corn also made a tasty appearance, as did ripe tomatoes. There were several contests involving the blueberry theme, and UT Extension agents were on hand to test pressure canners.
Victoria Cameron of Sevierville gets a pint of fresh blueberries from Shannon Meadows of Mountain Meadows Farm.
Melanie Wheeler and Leslie Lett of VG’s Bakery sold out of blueberry baked goods just one hour into the Blueberry Festival.
Cheryl Mast of Sunrise Dairy hands Angie Iachetta a frosty ice cream at the Blueberry Festival.
Knox County communications director Michael Grider chomps down on a roasted ear of corn from Huff Farm while Mayor Tim Burchett does a live TV spot at the Blueberry Festival. “Don’t tell my dentist,” he said. Your secret is safe with us.