HOLDEN, Maine — Dozens of businesses across the state participated in the fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend, celebrating Maine's state berry and the farmers that grow it.
Copeland Hill Wild Blueberries in Holden was one of the farms that joined, inviting people to pick blueberries, get an inside look into how their operations run, and try a sweet blueberry treat.
"I figured we're so close to Bangor that there's a lot of drive-by activity, and this would be a good way to help promote the business, promote the berry, our wild ones," Rhonda Warren, owner of Copeland Hill Wild Blueberries, said.
Warren said it's their third year participating in the event. "It builds up every single year," she said.
Warren has seen an increase in customers and tourists, with people coming from all over to taste one of Maine's finest delicacies. "My berries have gone to Alaska this year," she said.
Plenty of locals are stopping by as well. Kirsty and Seth Hussey came with their daughters Emery and Addy on Sunday to pick blueberries for the first time.
"It was a new experience for us, so it was a lot of fun for the kids," Kirsty said. "I'm sure they ate more than they picked, but it was good."
They also stopped by to learn more about how wild blueberries are grown, harvested, and packed.
"I think it's important to us to try to teach our kids where our food comes from and to spend our money locally and help support the farmers in the area."
According to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, the state produces nearly 100 percent of all wild blueberries in the country.
Wild blueberries are only harvested from late July to August.
"It’s a product that you're not going to get just anywhere," Warren said. "For a fresh blueberry, this is the only time."
At Warren's farm, it's a family affair with three generations packing up the harvest: Warren, her mother, and her granddaughter.
"I'm hoping that one's going to take over," Warren said, pointing to Samantha Warren, her granddaughter.
Samantha has been working at Copeland Hill Wild Blueberries for the past six years.
"I really learned to enjoy it, enjoy the time with the family," she said.
Copeland Hill Wild Blueberries concluded its season Sunday, but the family will be back with more wild blueberries for years to come.