By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – After a successful inaugural Blackberry and Blueberry Festival in the summer of 2018, Helena Market Days will once again host the festival with a variety of farmers, vendors and of course blackberries and blueberries.

The second annual Blackberry and Blueberry Festival is set for Saturday, June 15 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Helena Amphitheater where there will be cobblers, pies, teas, lemonade, jam and pepper jellies and more.

In addition, the festival will have featured chef Clifton Holt of Little Savannah Restaurant and Bar hosting demonstrations with Rick Carter as the musical performer. For the kids, there will be inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo.

The farmers on hand at the festival will include the following:

–Hazelrig Orchards offering fresh blackberries and blueberries and jam.
–Mountain Meadows Farm/Little Creek Homestead offering fresh chemical-free blueberries, jam, pepper jelly and berry pies.
–Aldrich Farm offering fresh blueberries.
–Berries Berries offering fresh blackberries.
–Boozer Farms offering fresh blackberries and jam.
–C & J Farms offering peaches, plums, watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, peas, corn, greens, potatoes, squash, onions, collards, cabbage, okra, cucumbers, green beans and broccoli.
–George Family Farm offering grass-fed, hormone-free beef, lamb, pork and chicken.
–Cheyenne Farms offering baked goods, boiled/roasted peanuts, lemonade, tea, fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables, watermelons and cantaloupes.
–Mori Farms offering tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, onions, pickles and pepper jelly.
–Medders Family Farm offering homemade peanut butter/sunflower seed butter.
–Wilkes Microgreens offering radish, pea, broccoli and lettuce.
–Aldrich Farm offering blueberries.
–Talleys Fruit Farm offering nectarines, peaches, apples and blackberries.

The vendors on hand at the festival will include the following:

–Skull Girl Soaps offering handmade scented soaps, bath items and candles.

–Brady’s Natural offering homemade pickles, seasonal jams, pepper jellies and seasoning blends.

–KC’s Fresh Seafood offering Gulf of Mexico fresh fish and shrimp.

–BB’s Bread offering homemade sourdough bread with a variety of flavors.

–The Petal Cart offering mason jar fresh flower arrangements.

–Fat Susan’s offering homemade cookies and pastries.

–Brother Beard’s Backyard BBQ offering southern style barbecue sauce.

–Bee Creek Farm offering local honey and whipped flavored honey based out of Vincent.

Helena Market Days exists as a venue for local farmers and producers to sell directly to residents of Helena and its neighboring cities. Scot Newman is the market manager and can be reached directly at 313-377-9078 or by email at Helenamarketday@gmail.com.

For more information on the Blackberry and Blueberry Festival, visit Facebook.com/events/361429194723591/.