Blueberry Blast set to light up Celebrate Nipigon event this weekend
Celebrate Nipigon consists of three unique events celebrating local Nipigon culture
This weekend's Blueberry Blast, in Nipigon, looks poised to blow past attendance records out of the water.
Organizers say they're expecting double the usual crowd at the annual event.
That may be due in part to the decision to roll the successful Blueberry Blast into something called the "Celebrate Nipigon Weekend."
Celebrate Nipigon consists of three events that focus on the local culture in Nipigon and area.
On Friday, July 29, the town marked the 75th anniversary of the children's book "Paddle to the Sea" by holding a street party.
This Saturday's event (July 30), artESCAPE,is hosted by Parks Canada and will take place at Rotary Park across the street from Paddle to the Sea.
Seven artists from communities along the North Shore of Superior will showcase their work and engage art enthusiasts and visitors to celebrate the Group of Seven and their presence in the region.
This weekend's Celebrate Nipigon events also includes the Waterwalker Film Festival on Saturday evening, July 30.
As for the 15th annual Blueberry Blast, Nipigon economic development officer Suzanne Kukko said things are looking good for the guided berry-picking over the weekend.
"Actually my family, my husband and my kids went out yesterday to go and do some Intel and the berries are out and they're big," said Kukko. "So it's pretty cool."
Kukko said guided picking will be available Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. She said a local taxi is providing rides for eight people each day,on a first come first served basis.
"Otherwise it is caravan style,"she said..
Other scheduled activities include human chess, children's carnival games,rabbit petting zoo, origami, face painting, a fly-tying workshop with Ray Dupuis, and special events at the Nipigon Historical Museum.