Get in the Summer Spirit by Attending Maine’s Wild Blueberry Weekend

Summertime in Maine calls for exploring the iconic natural beauty of the Pine Tree State. One can spend their days hiking and swimming, visiting quaint lighthouses dotting the coast, and so much more. The season is also synonymous with wild blueberry picking. These small, flavor-packed berries—Maine’s official state berry—are so important to the local agriculture and tourism industries that for five years, the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine has organized Wild Blueberry Weekend in August to help showcase the local farmers and purveyors who help keep the age-old tradition alive and well.

Wild blueberries were first established on the Barrens of Maine way up on the northern coast following the retreat of the glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. The Wabanaki Tribe of Maine were most likely the first humans to use wild blueberries, both fresh and dried, for their sweet flavor and nutritious value, as well as their food preservative and healing abilities. In the early 1800s, European colonizers gathered the berries as a public privilege; later, the berries were shipped to Union soldiers during the Civil War, and wild blueberries were initially canned in the state in the mid-1880s.

Today, there are nearly 500 Maine farms growing and harvesting wild blueberries not only because of their historical significance, but also because they are good for the land and people, too. The berries are known as a “low-input” crop. Since they are native to Maine, they have adapted to its unique growing environment and are therefore naturally resistant to many native pests and don’t require pesticides. They’re grown on a two-year cycle that alternates between a “prune year” and a “crop year,” which allows for the soil to rest and plants to regenerate.

Any given field can have as many as 1,500 genetically distinct wild blueberry plants that vary in flavor, shape, and color, which is one reason many people refer to them as wild. The fruit also has a higher skin-to-pulp ratio than its larger, cultivated cousins, which equals more antioxidant-rich pigment and intense blueberry flavor. Wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant capacity per serving compared to cultivated blueberries; approximately 30 percent less sugar, making them a low-glycemic food; and they harbor significant amounts of manganese, fiber, and iron.

And while you can visit the featured farms during the rest of the picking season, many of them will offer special events to visitors during Wild Blueberry Weekend in an ode to Maine’s famous crop. Here are a few stand-outs on my itinerary:

Blueberry Hill Research Farm, Jonesboro
At the University of Maine’s Blueberry Hill Research Farm, researchers and students will lead tours and share insights gathered from studying blueberries. Visitors can learn the ins and outs of how wild blueberries are grown and harvested, as well as see research projects related to climate change, nutrition, water retention, and pest management currently being conducted on the farm.

Brodis Blueberries, Hope
During Wild Blueberry Weekend, this ninth-generation family farm will throw a celebration of wild blueberries that includes tours of the farm and distillery, and demonstrations of various harvesting techniques. Visitors can hand-pick a sample of the farm’s berries and take a short hike for a great view of the farm and area; one hike will end with a special reading of the classic children’s book, Blueberries for Sal.

Their Blue Barren Distillery will also be in operation Saturday and Sunday, offering tastings and its award-winning spirits, including several wild blueberry-inspired favorites, which will also be available for purchase to enjoy at home. Cocktails and mocktails will be available each evening as well. Brother Shuckers food truck, specializing in seafood delicacies, smash beef burgers, as well as other options, are slated to attend, and there will be several wild blueberry desserts to choose from—including Mimi’s Kitchen wild blueberry pie. Local vendors are confirmed to be in attendance as well at this event that’s sure to be fun for the whole family.

Smithereen Farm, Pembroke
Smithereen Farm will be open for organic berry picking at their wild blueberry barrens on Youngs Cove Road in Pembroke. Guests are invited to borrow rakes and harvest bins, pick blueberries, and then enjoy the ocean breeze at the shaded picnic tables perfect for a packed lunch. There will be a chance to participate in a free wild blueberry pie-making class in the farm’s timber-framed summer kitchen, led by renowned chef Odessa Piper. You can make your pie crust from organic Maine-grown flour, locally sourced butter, and even Smithereen Farm lard. Peruse their little library, go for a hike, meet the animals and farmers, and get a glimpse of the operations behind a diversified saltwater farm.

Planning a trip to Maine in the first weekend of August? Save this article to be sure not to miss out on the sweet fun of Wild Blueberry Weekend.