Blueberry Temptations

- guest blogger, Mary Quast
I live in a small community in Mid-Michigan and every year during the third weekend in August we host the Montrose Blueberry Festival. (Yes, we do have many places to pick berries!) Every year I not only work and enjoy the festival but I gather inspiration and ideas for future characters and books. It's the best time of the year!!!

For those who have never attended our festival, let me tempt you to zip into my town for a visit.

1. Blueberries… everything blueberries! Yummy! Pie eating contest! (Don't forget to have save room for the Pig Roast.

2. Blueberry pancake breakfast on Sat & Sun. We serve 4,000 hungry folks. The sausages are the kids favorites. My family has been working the breakfast for years, so come to it and I’ll take a break to chat. I actually socialize more than work... don't tell anyone.

3. Medieval Village & Renaissance Faire. Montrose is Scottish for “mountain of roses”. In this hilly farming community, many wild roses grow around fields and in ditches. Only during the festival will you see a man in a kilt though.

4.Working with the knowledge of our Scottish heritage and members from the greater Renaissance Festival folk from the Shiabruck Medieval Village, we’ve put together an amazing village and faire. Stop by and meet my special friends, Gypsy and Hagrid. Gypsy made the original necklace Mike McAlister wears in my book "Lonely Soul".


5. The awesome parade. My boys have been in it every year! Oh... and don't forget the carnival. It’s a blast!

6. Farmers Market. The best food to put into your body is wholesome home grown! And yes... we do have some corn-fed, hay-balin', home-grown hunks as well.



7. Flea Market and craft show. I lose myself there every year; the boys have to lure me out with chocolate.

8. Classic Car Show and Vintage Snowmobile Swap Meet. When hubby gives me "that look", I simply shake my head and say, "NO. I didn't bring the checkbook."

9. Firefighters Demonstrations.

10. Demolition Derby. A great way to take out aggression.

11. Live music and a karaoke contest. No way… you won’t hear me sing! We also have an awesome beer tent.

12. Mud Drag & Mud Bog for those who enjoy getting dirty. Grab a beer ladies and let's go!


13. MI Championship Wrestling.


14. Softball,5-mile road race,horseshoes, Tug-of-War Challenge and more time in the beer tent. Great opportunities to see some shirtless men!



Throughout the town and township, there are a ton of rummage sales offering wonderful treasures and parties galore! I hope many of you take a break from your busy schedule and visit. If I’m available, I’ll let you know where the best "goodies" are. Hugs!

Visit the Blueberry Website for more info.

Mary Quast is a contemporary romance writer with three published books available. Feel free to visit her website or her blogs, Romantic Interludes and Romance Writers Behaving Badly.