Hello and welcome to the Seventh Annual Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival. We love festival time, and we continue to work tirelessly to keep this an affordable, fun, safe, family event that is truly Florida.
You may notice some slight changes at this year’s festival. Over the last year, Keel and Curley Winery grew tremendously. Improvements include an on-site brewery, Two Henrys Brewing Company, upgrades to both the outside and inside entertainment areas, and planting a few acres of blackberries. Everyone in the Keel family is excited to show you our new additions and, as always, let you U-pick away at our 25 acres of blueberry bushes.
This year promises to be a tremendous one for the little blue gems. The late-season cool weather delayed harvest by a couple weeks, which will result in more and sweeter fruit for U-picking. As always, we recommend you arrive early to beat the rush and get your choice of fruit — although we believe we will have plenty to pick throughout the weekend and beyond.
Blueberries are not the only attraction at the festival, however. You can find live music, a free kids area, and loads of vendors and food trucks, as well as beer and wine specials. Also, be on the lookout for our special-release beer and wine on festival days. Our Strawberry Shortcake Wine, made with St. Clement Catholic Church’s strawberry sauce from its world-famous Make-Your-Own-Strawberry-Shortcake stand, will be back and available only during the festival — while supplies last. Two Henrys Brewing Company also will feature our first true fruit beer, which, of course, is a Blueberry Lager. A portion of the proceeds from our special release products go to benefit St. Clement Catholic Church and other charities. Look for both starting Friday, April 25, at the festival.
We hope you come out and have a terrific time at the 2014 festival. Please feel free to ask for a Keel or Curley family member, so we can shake your hand and maybe even give a few pointers on growing, picking, fermenting or cooking with blueberries.