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Preparations are in full swing for the inaugural Southeast Texas Blueberry Festival, set to take place at Creekwood Farms on April 19-20. Nestled off Highway 12, midway between Vidor and Mauriceville, Creekwood Farms has held the esteemed title of the area’s premier blueberry farm since its establishment in 1986.
Local farmer and owner, Shawn Newell, an Orangefield native, along with his wife Rachel, said they are thrilled to formally open their farm to the public for the first-ever festival. The Newells acquired the 113-acre farm in 2020, marking their eighth year exclusively cultivating blueberries for HEB.
“We’ve been diligently working on creating immersive experiences to welcome the community to our farm,” expressed Shawn. Creekwood Farms, currently a supplier of 75,000 pounds of blueberries to HEB stores each season, has recently expanded its blueberry cultivation with the goal of tripling output by 2026, aiming to produce a quartermillion pounds of blueberries for the renowned Texas grocer.
The Blueberry Festival promises two days of live music and invites up to 125 local vendors to participate. While blueberry picking takes center stage, attendees can also indulge in the festivities with food trucks, pony rides, a small petting zoo, hayrides, photo opportunities and various family-friendly events.
Employing four full-time farmers year-round to tend to the crop, Creekwood Farms additionally houses a small honor system plant nursery. Open every March, the nursery offers an array of plants, including blueberry plants, roses, azaleas, and several other native varieties.
As parents of two toddlers, ages 4 and 2, the Newells understand firsthand the joy little ones get from picking and savoring blueberries. Shawn stated, “The kids love them, and we’re eager to share the farm experience with the community.”
Festival attendees will have the option to purchase different-sized picking buckets upon entry, enabling them to harvest their own batch of fresh blueberries. Interested vendors can secure a spot at the event by reaching out to Creekwood Farms on Facebook.