Early in 2004, the Blueberry Festival Committee was worried that the tradition of a special quilt raffled off at each Festival might end. The group of Library and Historical Society volunteers who quilted every year had dwindled and finally disbanded. "The Crazy Country Quilters stepped in and saved our tradition," says Susquehanna County Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone. "Thanks to them, we've had seven years of amazing quilts." The quilting group has designed and created a unique quilt each year at no charge. The spectacular designs are displayed in a gallery at the bottom of this article.

This is the last year the Crazy Country Quilters are doing the Blueberry Festival quilt, and they've outdone themselves with a Variegated Nine-Patch pattern. The group assembled in front of the Library in early June to be honored with certificates and pose with this year's quilt.

The Crazy Country Quilters with the 2010 Quilt
sitting: Marie McAvoy, Peg Calby, Ada Hess, Stephanie Stopka, Sue Magnotti standing: Catherine Novitch, Cathy Probasco, Genevieve Corwin, Miriam Detwiler, E. Anne Farringer, Jean Rose, Phillipa Follert, Mary Lewis, Joanne Bledsoe; not in photo:Barbara Brennan, Ellie Johnson, Lou Petrak
We also thank Mary Ann and Naomi Sue Yoder for their hand-quilting skills, and Joanne Cronk for donating the blueberry fabric.

The 31st Annual Blueberry Festival
will be held on Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th, 2010
9am-4pm (pancake breakfast starts at 8am)

The Blueberry Barn Dance is returning this year as part of the Blueberry Festival festivities. It will be held at the Montrose VFW, with an cash bar beginning at 6pm on Friday, August 6th. Enjoy an old-fashioned barbeque (chicken and ribs), and country music by Hickory Rose Band. There will also be a special raffle: a set of four tickets to the pre-season opening game at the new Giants Stadium on August 21st (Giants vs. Steelers). Dress will be "casual blue."

The cost will be $40 per person. Space is limited, so if you plan on attending, please register as soon as possible by calling 570-278-7050. That is also the number for questions. Please call any county library for general information. Proceeds benefit the Library & Historical Society.

The 30th Annual Blueberry Festival drew the most people, had the most perfect weather, and most likely raised the most money ever for the Library and Historical Society! We deeply appreciate everyone who came and the efforts of hundreds of people who made it possible. Click "read more" or scroll down for the detailed thank you list. Check out the TV coverage of the Blueberry Festival: WBNG/Channel 12, WNEP/Channel 16, WBRE/Channel 28. Next year's Blueberry Festival will be held on Friday, August 6th & Saturday, August 7th, 2010.

You can help the Blueberry Festival by making pans of Blueberry Buckle for the Ice Cream booth! Please bring them on Friday or Saturday morning. Here is the recipe:

Blueberry Buckle (sometimes known as Blueberry Crunch)

Makes one 1/2 sheet cake pan (disposable shallow foil pan)

3 ½ cups flour
¼ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
½ lb. (2 sticks) margarine or butter
1 egg
2 cans of blueberry pie filling (standard 21oz. cans)

Mix the first six ingredients as for a pie crust. Beat the egg well and toss throughout the mixture with a fork. Spread half of the mixture in the pan and press down well. Spread the pie filling over the mixture in the pan and sprinkle the rest of the mixture on top.

Bake at 350° for around 45 minutes, checking after 30 minutes. The buckle should be light brown in color when done.

Click on a photo to see the large version. All photos by Joe Facinelli.