Marshall County Blueberry Festival is a favorite Labor Day weekend event in Plymouth, Indiana, with over 50 years of history. The four-day festival usually runs from Friday to Monday, featuring dozens of quality family activities in Centennial Park in Plymouth, Indiana. The festival also serves as a significant fundraiser for numerous local non-profit organizations. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor looking for the blueberry treats, the exciting competitions, or the lively music and fireworks, the Blueberry Festival promises an enjoyable experience for all.
Activities and Attractions
As one of the Midwest's top festivals, the Marshall County Blueberry Festival boasts a diverse range of activities. According to the organizers, attendees can enjoy over 300 craft, commercial, and food vendors, offering everything from handcrafted goods to delicious blueberry-themed treats. Popular items include blueberry pies, ice cream, cakes, donuts, and shakes, with festival-goers consuming approximately 50,000 blueberry donuts each year.
Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do, with events such as the Blueberry Stomp 5K/15K run, Bike Cruise on Saturday, August 31 (31, 41, 62-mile routes & a family tour of 16 miles), and the Blueberry Splash (1-mile open-water swim on Myers Lake) on September 1. There are also unique competitions like arm wrestling, garden tractor pulls, horse pulls, and kiddie tractor pedal pulls. The Hoosier Old Wheels Antique Car Show on August 31 is a highlight for classic vehicle aficionados. Additionally, the festival features hot air balloon launches, live music across three stages, a carnival, and a spectacular fireworks display to cap off the celebrations.
Parade
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival Parade will step off at 9:30 am on Monday, September 2. Known as one of the best parades around, it features over 100 units, including local high school bands, which entertain nearly 20,000 spectators with their unique cadences and melodies. The parade also showcases fire trucks, police units, classic cars, and antique tractors. Numerous floats represent various organizations and festivals, including Miss Blueberry and her court. Spectators can cheer on the Blueberry Stomp runners as they finish their race along the parade route. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the parade from the shaded streets of Plymouth.
Entertainment Schedule
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival offers diverse entertainment across three stages. On the Jefferson Stage, highlights include the Marshall County Church Orchestra on Friday at 6 pm, Lincoln Legends on Saturday at 11 am, and Quentin Flagg on Monday at 3:30 pm.
The Michigan Street Stage features the Opening Ceremonies on Friday at 5 pm, followed by the Little Miss & Mr. Blueberry contest at 7 pm, The Spaniels Forever on Saturday at 2 pm, and 1985 on Sunday at 6:30 pm.
The Amphitheater Stage hosts Latino Music on Saturday from 3 pm to 8 pm, Gospel Music with Quentin Flagg on Sunday at 5:30 pm, and Christian Rock on Monday.
Tickets and Parking
The festival is committed to providing affordable family fun. As stated by the organizers, entry to the festival itself is free, with various activities and entertainment available at little or no cost. The Carnival offers individual ride tickets, a Carnival MegaPass for unlimited rides, and Pay One Price (POP) wristbands for shorter visits. Last year, the MegaPass was priced at $75 and POP wristbands were $30 at the park. Parking is available at Plymouth High School for a fee of $10 per car or $20 for a weekend pass, which includes free round-trip tram service to the festival grounds.
History
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival has a rich history dating back to 1966. The festival began as a Labor Day celebration organized by the Plymouth Jaycees to mark Indiana's sesquicentennial. Due to its success, a board of directors was formed to make it an annual event. At the time, Marshall County produced a significant portion of Indiana's blueberries, making the name "Blueberry Festival" fitting. Over the years, the festival has grown to become Indiana's largest four-day festival, attracting nearly 500,000 attendees annually and being recognized multiple times as a "Top 100 Event" in North America by the American Bus Association.
