Blueberry farm set to open May 24
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Echo Springs Blueberry Farm is almost ready to open its fields to the berry picking public. The farm's grand opening is June 14, but a preliminary opening is planned for May 24.

Phyllis Vaseleniuck, co-owner of the farm, said May 24 is the first day the farm opens.

"People will be able to come in and pick blueberries," Vaseleniuck said. "May 24 is when we'll have ripe berries. "

The blueberry store, "The Best Little Blueberry Store in Texas", will be open for business. On sale will be all manner of blueberry treats.

"We've got blueberry muffins, blueberry ice cream, blueberry pies, everything blueberry," Vaseleniuk said.

The store also offers a line of sugar free products.

The beginning of the blueberry picking season can start at any time from May 15 to the end of May. The time the blueberries are ready to pick is dependent on several factors, and the berries do not all ripen at the same time.

"The earliest we've ever started was the 16th," Vaseleniuk said. "It was a warm year."

The June opening is the main event, however. It signifies the beginning of commercial picking for the farm. Special events and prizes will be ongoing throughout the day.

"We'll have hourly prizes, and we'll have contests to see which child can eat the most blueberries," Vaseleniuk said. "We measure by seeing how blue the child's tongue is."

The co-owner said the farm will hopefully be very busy at the start of the picking season. Last year, for the grand opening, the farm had close to 700 visitors, with some berry picking enthusiasts hailing from as far as parts of Europe.

Admission to the farm will be free, though merchandise and berry buckets must be purchased. Berry buckets will be $10, and pickers are encouraged to fill them to the top.

At the grand opening of the farm's 2008 blueberry picking season will be Tom Perryman of KKUS 104.1, Ranch Radio. The Ranch and Mandy Montana will broadcast from the farm on June 14.

The farm will be open 8 am - 5 pm every day throughout June and July, with tours focusing on all aspects of the industry. Farm-goers can witness a tank-sized blueberry picker in action, Vaseleniuck said.

Vaseleniuck also said blueberries are an important food because of the health benefits they are proven to have.

"If you eat … to ‰ a cup of blueberries a day it will reduce your chances of having Alzheimer's or other diseases by nearly 70 percent," Vaseleniuck said.

The Native Americans of old also used the fruit for medicinal purposes, Vaseleniuck added.

The farm lies on nearly 60 acres of land and is located on FM 607.