Paint It Blue

Live blues music floating through a canopy of towering oak trees … local art along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River … mobile eateries teasing a crowd forward with appetizing aromas. But does summer truly begin ‘til you’ve bitten into a handful of Louisiana blueberries? In a revamped Bogue Falaya Park, on June 8, Covington’s new Bluesberry Festival feeds all the senses. 

Co-founders Sarah Federer, Sarada Bonnett, and Sarah Cottrell have helped plan some of the area’s biggest events—a worthy calling card in a small town that boasts Columbia Street Block Parties, Art Walks, A Taste of Covington food and wine festival, Sunset at the Landing concerts, Rockin’ the Rails concerts, Spring and Fall for Art, and the Three Rivers Arts Festival. “We have all worked together in one capacity or another the past seven years,” said Bonnett. “We wanted to bring a fusion of art and music to the Northshore. We always have to drive across the lake to get both. I think that was the spark that set things in motion.” 

Nobody, the three friends realized, had thought to celebrate the blueberry. The Northshore is teeming with blueberry farms complete with Pick-Your-Own berry outings for the entire family to enjoy. Both residents and out-of-town travelers visit each year to fill their baskets with abundant ripe fruit. The Northshore and the surrounding areas are home to more than ten local farms, including Ridemore Berry Farm in Covington and Blue Harvest Farms in Bush. Fresh blueberries are also sold by the bushel weekly at the Covington Farmer’s Market, along with container-grown blueberry plants for the recreational blueberry farmer. Like most of Louisiana, Covington has a humid, sub-tropical climate but also has cold bursts and short winters, providing the optimum conditions for the  juicy blueberry to grow and thrive. 

Straight from the bush is fine (even divine), but the berries of the Bluesberry Festival will be woven through a variety of dishes—thanks to the quick-on-their-wheels food truck community, including Rue Chow, Coffee Rani, Old School Eats, Rob’s Rockin’ Dogs, Rolling Cones, and Isabella’s Pizzeria. 

Old School Eats, headed by the husband-and-wife team of Chef Christopher and Karen Case, will serve a blueberry-inspired menu along with a popular favorite: blueberry salad made with blueberries, strawberries, pistachios, goat cheese, roasted chicken on a bed of greens with a balsamic drizzle; beignets with blueberries, a port wine reduction, whipped goat cream cheese, and powdered sugar; blueberry lemonade; and brisket tacos with creole slaw and cheddar cheese.

[Read this: Take Me to the River—Ebb & Flow reimagines the festival.]

“The Brisket Tacos are back by popular demand because people ask for it so often, it’s a dish for the carnivores attending the festival,” said Karen Case. “There is a festival for everything in this town. They all do well, and we’re excited to be a part of this one! We are also going to the Blue Harvest Farm in Bush for the blueberries we’ll use in the dishes. The strawberries are coming from Ponchatoula. It’s all produce and ingredients from local markets and farms around the area,” said Case. “We do a different version of the salad a lot, but we will be using blueberries for the festival instead of blackberries, which is the usual ingredient.” 

 “I love the blues! I love blueberries! And I love puns!” said Robert Parker, owner of Rob’s Rockin’ Dogs. “We are offering the “Blueberry Hill” dog: smoked sausage, blueberry-infused barbecue sauce, coleslaw, blue cheese, and chives.” 

"We want to celebrate that and inspire others, both young and old, to exercise their own creativity as well." —Sarah Federer

“We will be serving roasted pork tacos with fresh pineapple & blueberry salsa and organic mixed greens; blueberry white chocolate Bread Pudding, and Fried Blueberry Pie,” said Rachel Eymard, co-owner (with her husband Jarett) of Rue Chow Food Truck, “We are so thrilled to be serving at the Bluesberry Festival. We’ve come up with some great blueberry items we think everyone will enjoy. We’re looking forward to the event and always get excited participating in functions in our great home town of Covington. Furthermore, blue is our favorite color!” 

Isabella’s Pizzeria food truck will dish up blueberry dessert pizza with whipped cream. A festival beer garden will celebrate local brews, including a festival-only revival of Abita’s discontinued Blueberry Wheat beer. The garden, located under shade trees in the park, will feature interactive games including jumbo Jenga and cornhole. The Gulf Coast Bank Rejuvenation Station will allow attendees to cool down from the summer heat, hydrate, and relax with yoga and other activities.

Like the popular Three Rivers Arts Festival, for which Bonnett has served as event coordinator, Bluesberry Festival will showcase the area’s talented artists. Over 35 regional artists and vendors will set up shop along the river. The event will also feature an interactive art scene where festivalgoers can attempt their own masterpieces. 

Renowned blues musicians will be on-hand to provide the soundtrack with a lineup featuring both national acts and regional favorites performing on the Westaff Music Stage. Texas native Casey James, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, will headline the festival along with Alabama rock-blues musician Johnny Hayes, Baton Rouge native Jonathon Long, and New Orleans’ own Charmaine Neville. Other acts include New Orleans-based blues artists Eric Johanson and Steve Mignano; as well as Northshore musicians Tyler Kinchen and Crispin Schroeder.

“Bluesberry Festival is a true celebration of blues music and the arts,” said Federer. “The Greater New Orleans area, and the Northshore in particular, has such a vibrant arts community. We want to celebrate that and inspire others, both young and old, to exercise their own creativity as well. There will be plenty of opportunities at the festival for them to do just that,” said Federer.

The festival’s setting, Bogue Falaya Wayside Park, turns 110 years old on July 1 and is in the process of receiving a long-needed facelift, including a permanent stage for live events. The children’s playground and pavilion have both been renovated, adding more distinct walking trails and a boat dock. The new paddler’s launch will be open to the public just in time for the festival. Bluesberry Festival is just the start of what Covington hopes will be a renewed recreational relationship with the Bogue Falaya River. “Bogue Falaya Park holds a special place in all of our hearts,” said Federer.  

Get in the blueberry season spirit with these two summer recipes: Chicken Blueberry Salad and Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake. 

For more information on Covington's inaugural Bluesberry Festival on June 8, swing by our online events calendar.