Time to secure a space at the 32nd Alabama Blueberry Festival is running out — and spaces are limited.
Hosted by the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce, the annual festival is set for June 16 at Burnt Corn Creek Park. Chamber Director Judy Crane said vendors and exhibitors have a short window of opportunity to reserve a space for the event.
“We have a very limited number of spaces available and time to reserve a spot is certainly running out,” Crane said. “Anyone who wants to make sure they have a spot for the day of the festival needs to make their reservation by Friday.”
Spaces, with or without electricity, are limited to a 12-foot by 12-foot area, Crane said.
“We only provide the space for the vendors or exhibitor,” Crane said. “Everyone has to provide their own tables, canopy or anything else they may need for the day.”
Electricity is available, but Crane said those space with electrical outlets are seriously limited.
Cost for spaces are $85 without electricity or $95 with electricity, Crane said.
“That cost is the only cost the vendor has for the festival,” Crane said. “They aren’t required to have a license for the day and there are no other fees involved. Each vendor will be required to collect sales taxes and we will provide all the forms they need to make sure they comply.”
Crane said vendors need to keep in mind that no re-sale items are allowed for sale on the day of the festival.
“Any arts and crafts person who has items for sale, must have been involved in some aspect of creating the items they have for sale,” Crane said. “We don’t want people to bring items they’ve bought elsewhere and resell them during the festival.”
With the festival just 10 days away, Crane said most plans for the event have been finalized.
“We have all of our food vendors, entertainment and children’s exhibits in place and ready to go,” Crane said. “We have added a few things to the children’s area this year that older children will enjoy. A bungee jump has been added along with the pony rides, train rides, the petting zoo and the waterslides. All of the children’s activities are free, thanks to some wonderful sponsors who are making all of it possible.”
Crane said a variety of Blueberry Festival-inspired items will also be available on the day of the festival and can be purchased in advance at the chamber offices.
Blueberry Festival cookbooks are $10 each; festival t-shirts are $12 each, insulated tumblers with the Blueberry Festival logo are available for $20 each with cozies available for $2 each, Crane said.
“We wanted to have something available for people to have as a mementos of the festival,” Crane said. “We have arranged for a variety of items to fit every budget and every interest this year.”
Along with arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, food and the children’s area, there will also be a motorcycle and car show held in an area surrounding the festival site.
For details on reserving a space for the festival or to purchase any commemorative items, contact the chamber offices on Douglas Avenue in the Brewton City Hall complex or call the offices at 867-3224.