Hammonton Turns Red, White and Blueberry This Weekend

Have you heard? Hammonton is the Blueberry Capital of the World!  You probably have heard.  Seems like just about every time the town of Hammonton is mentioned, someone finds a reason...to throw in that little factoid.   "You know,  Stan, it's funny that your accountant lives there, because Hammonton is the Blueberry Capital of the World".

But, the thing is, Hammonton really does have the best blueberries!  I thought maybe I was being a "blueberry homer" for always believing that slogan, but it really is true.  Chefs and produce aficionados the world over swear by them,  and seek out the Hammonton label on their blueberries.  How's that for product branding? That is one damn good blueberry, Hammonton!

Farmers say the Pinelands of Atlantic and Burlington Counties have the perfect soil for delicious blueberries.  It's a "ph thing", according to the Pinelands -related website, pineypower.com. ...

"Blueberries  plants are very particular about is the soil's pH, which should be around 4.0 to 5.5.This is the reason they flourish in NJ's Pine Barrens!"

In 1977,  to coincide with July's peak blueberry harvest season, Hammonton started the Red, White and Blueberry Festival. This year, celebrating it's 26th anniversary, the R,W & B-berry Festival is all things blueberries, using over a million blueberries in one day!

Are you ready for some blueberry pizza, cannoli, drinks, cake pops, muffins, turnovers, bagels and  ice cream and more?  And what would a blueberry festival be without a blueberry pie-eating contest?

The Red, White and  Blueberry Festival also features live music, kiddy rides, arts & crafts, a classic car show and lots of great food...all containing blueberries!

The 2012 Red, White and Blue Festival is Sunday, July 1st, from 10am-5pm at Hammonton High School,  just off Rt. 30 in Hammonton.