Update Website of the Sudbury Blueberry Festival

Welcome - Bonjour - Aaniin

NEW: July 17th and 18th are dates to put in your calendar ... some of the activies listed below ..more details to come-  tell your friends.  .

: Friday, July 17th

• Hike Up Blueberry Hill
  • Guided nature hike with the Rainbow Routes Association
  • Storytelling and blueberry treats - details below:

Saturday, July 18th

Location: Red Oak Villa, 20 St. Anne Road, Sudbury

Main activities include:

• All-you-can-eat blueberry pancake breakfast
• Celebrity pie-eating contest
• Blueberry market with local vendors and artisans
• Family entertainment and activities
• Blueberry-inspired food and experiences
• Community events and live entertainment
• New “Blueberry Passport” activity for visitors

The festival celebrates Sudbury’s famous wild lowbush blueberries and Northern Ontario culture.

Blueberry Hike Info: Get ready to explore Sudbury’s scenic beauty and celebrate its wild blueberry heritage with us! Join the 42^nd Annual Hike with the Minnow Lake Restoration Group, Dalron Senior Living and Rainbow Routes Association for a delightful hike up Blueberry Hill. This trail offers not only a chance to enjoy panoramic views of Minnow and Ramsey Lake but also an opportunity to indulge in the lush blueberry picking patches along the way.

Hike Details ----------------------------------------------------

When: Friday, July 17th, 2026 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration)

Meeting Point: Blueberry Hill trailhead in the parking area located at the back left corner of the Carmicheal Arena parking lot

Trail: Blueberry Hill Trail

Length: 2 km

Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours

Hike Leaders: Peter Beckett and Paul Hynes

Terrain: Moderate (rocky trails involved, please be prepared), Starts with a steep climb up to the lookout. There are rocky sections on the hilltop and descent into the valley to return to the meeting location

Dress Code: Comfortable hiking shoes recommended, and please dress for the weather. Bring water

Hike Type: We will be hiking, and taking time to pick and eat blueberries along the way

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GOVA transit route #12 Second Ave. to New Sudbury at 9:15 AM from the Downtown Transit Hub to Carmicheal Arena stop at 9:23 AM. About a 1 minute walk to the arena from stop.

Note: GOVA fare is $4.00. Exact change or a bus pass is required.

Past Recent History:  

We would like to thank all those who participated in special virtual COVID activities in 2020 and 2021during the pandemic, You can see entries received for the 2020 "Beautiful is Blue"by clicking here.  Also selected entries in the 2021 Covid Chronicles here and Covid Cuisine here

The Blueberry Pickers Song - Andy Lowe

Recorded in concert at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Andy has recorded several CDs of Sudbury and traditional songs - Check him out at: https://www.facebook.com/andy.lowe3

Video history of early days of Festival:

They are small, but very delicious and can be eaten as picked, dried (as the native populations did) or frozen.  Of course they can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime as a snack.  

Winners of the Blueberry Buns bakeoff contest co-sponsored by the Sudbury Arts Council in 2019 Council, Linda Cartier, President, centre with Blueberry T shirt and Judi Straughn far right also of the Arts Council - judge.

You are welcome to check out our Blueberrry Festival Facebook Page:

Who we Are: Where to get more information

Picture Gallery: Blueberry Festival happenings   

Blueberry Information:  All you wanted to know

Sudbury Weather Forecast:

While long recognized as the Nickel capital of the world for its vast underground wealth, Sudbury's above ground natural resource, the lowbush blueberry was not so well known.  Former Mayor Peter Wong set out to change this in 1986 when he organized the first Blueberry Festival du bluet.

Blueberries grow in such abundance here partly because of the mining industry and early smelting processes which created high acidic soil conditions in which blueberry bushes thrive. Pollinated by black flies (yes they do have a purpose) blueberries are free for the picking from about mid July into late August throughout the entire city. If you can't take the time to pick yourself then you can always purchase at the local farmers market or from the many roadside vendors.

Video of Climb up Blueberry Hill with Sheldon Lowe - 1994

Video below of annual Sudbury Blueberry Festival Pie Eating Contest with local media personalities.

 Everybody Loves Our Bears

Sud-berry Bear and Sudbrina Bear are the Blueberry Festival Mascots who make friends with all ages every summer throughout Greater Sudbury.

The Blueberry Festival for several consists of a number of community events celebrating this wonderful resource, now considered the worlds most nutritious fruit. There are numerous blueberry pancake breakfasts, a blueberry pie eating contest, garden parties, concerts, family and children's events all open to the public. Our mascots have presided over these good times during the third week of July each year are seen below with three members of the Blueberry Festival Committee, and then with their many fans at the Flour Mill Museum  and dancing with seniors at a Legion Blueberry event.  Anywhere they go our Blueberry Festival Bears are loved by everyone of all ages

The bears dated for a number of years and then were married on the good ship William Ramsey by the captain in the "international waters" of Lake Ramsey

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