Blueberry Festival recognized by Festivals and Events Ontario
Tim Brody - Editor
The Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival has been recognized by Festivals and Events Ontario with a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of its ability to adapt, pivot, and evolve the festival during COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival and Special Events Committee, along with its festival coordinators, worked with community event organizers to adapt last year’s 10-day Blueberry Festival, held in late summer.
Traditional in-person events were replaced with drive-thru or virtual events. Outdoor events where participants could safely maintain a six foot distance or participate with members of their social bubble, such as golf tournaments, were able to proceed with a strict adherence to public health measures and restrictions.
Committee President Dori Hopko said the committee and festival coordinators worked hard to think outside of the box to have the festival proceed in a safe manner.
She said it felt good to be recognized by Festivals and Events Ontario. She reiterated that the committee and festival coordinators felt the festival could adapt and evolve to happen in a safe, different manner, adding that the committee felt COVID-19 had taken so much away from the community it was more important than ever to try to continue the festival.
Hopko said planning is already underway for this year’s festival, “I think the way things are flowing, we’re going to do the same this year as well. Run it as best as we can.”