Letter to the Community

Dear Friends of The National Blueberry Festival,
As you know, 2020 has changed everything. Between the coronavirus, its economic impact on our community, and high water issues along Lake Michigan, we have all had to dig deep to keep moving forward and to stay positive. But the National Blueberry Festival rolls with the punches, and our goal is still to celebrate the South Haven community and our favorite fruit in a way that is fun and responsible! We remain committed to living our values and our mission, and keeping traditions strong, which we believe is especially important in times of disruption and unease.

The National Blueberry Festival Staff and Board Members work on the festival all year round, and we have been closely watching all of the developments and monitoring current guidelines as set forth by government agencies. It has been difficult to witness the impact of circumstances beyond our control affecting our town just as the summer season is about to kick off. It is tough to guess just what the summer holds for all of us. 
   
Like our town, the festival is resilient. We are searching for ways to provide the festival that our community deserves while keeping safety in the forefront of our minds. Though the exact shape of the festival is still evolving, our commitment is crystal clear: we are more determined than ever to continue the 57-year tradition of celebrating our agriculture industry and everything blueberry. To that end, we will rededicate the 2020 National Blueberry Festival to celebrating the strength of our community and agricultural heritage, and to encourage safe celebrations.

We are not taking this decision to continue to move forward with our festival lightly. We understand that it will be a balancing act. Ultimately, the safety of our community and volunteers is first and foremost in the eyes of our organization. At this time, we do know that this year’s festival will be smaller than past festivals with a focus on engaging, supporting, and promoting the local community, incorporating virtual, online events, and hopefully culminating with carefully planned inperson activities around the Huron Street Pavilion in Downtown South Haven on Saturday, August 8, 2020. However, with community safety in mind, it is possible we may have to defer our in-person events until 2021 if we are unable to safely hold our festivities this August.

A lot still has to be determined and may be affected by events outside of our control. It is important to note that this is a fluid situation and we will do our best to keep our partners, vendors, sponsors, and visitors updated as our plans and the situation develops. We are always grateful for our community’s patience, understanding, and support for the festival, but we feel especially thankful for your support this year.

John Deschaine Board Chair National Blueberry Festival