July 1, 2011

LENOIR, NC –The North Carolina Blackberry Festival celebrates its tenth year in downtown Lenoir on July 9, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. In addition to crafts and food, the event organizers will attempt to piece together enough blackberry cobblers to make one of the biggest patchwork blackberry cobblers in America.
 
“In Caldwell County, blackberries are a part of everyday life,” explains Deborah Ashley, President/CEO of Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce. “Blackberry cobblers and jam are a strong part of our local heritage.”
 
The Blackberry Shuffle 5K and Fun Run will kick off the event at 9 a.m. along with the Blackberry Princess Pageant at 10 a.m. and the blackberry recipe contest at 10:30 a.m. For those with iron stomachs, a blackberry eating contest will offer cash prizes at 11:30 a.m. The contest is sponsored by Lineberger Farms and is free to the first 10 registrants. The winner will be determined by who can eat a quart of blackberries the fastest.
 
After the presentation of colors at noon, the colossal cobbler parade begins at 12:30 p.m. “We’re hoping for over 125 cobblers for a quilt of cobblers,” explains Ashley. “Children and their parents will march down Main Street to present the cobblers.” Over 1,000 servings of cobbler will be severed free from the final patchwork of cobblers.
 
A wide selection of music will hit the main stage throughout the day along with a children’s area. Food vendors will be available but make sure to save room for blackberry ice cream and smoothies. For more information, visit www.caldwellcochamber.org or call 828-726-0616.

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Contact:
 
Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce
1909 Hickory Blvd, SE
Lenoir, NC 28645
828-726-0616
828-726-0385 fax
Contact Melissa Eastman