The National Blueberry Festival gets underway Thursday in South Haven.

Visit South Haven’s Jen Sistrunk tells us it’s one of Michigan’s sweetest summer traditions, expected to attract around 50,000 to 70,000 as it continues through Sunday.

“We look forward to it every year,” Sistrunk said. “It’s been going on since 1963, and it is the second busiest day weekend of the year here in South Haven, just shortly under 4th of July weekend in our Light Up the Lake fireworks show.”

Sistrunk says activities will include a parade, live entertainment, carnival rides, a beverage garden, a craft fair, and the 50th annual Bobby Walker Basketball Tournament. Also, she notes there will be a blueberry market, a blueberry pancake breakfast, and a blueberry pie eating contest.

“One fun fact that not a lot of people know is that this region is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of blueberry farms. And so that makes us an ideal location to celebrate blueberries and agriculture and all the great things that make South Haven a great place to be. And that also includes blueberries.”

As part of the basketball tournament, the Bobby Walker Basketball Courts will be dedicated in honor of Walker, a longtime community leader whose legacy has inspired generations of athletes and families.

Those who plan to attend the National Blueberry Festival are advised to get the festival app, which can be found at the festival website, BlueberryFestival.com.

Sistrunk also notes there will be shuttles carrying people all over town for the weekend. The best place to park to catch a shuttle will be South Haven High School or the South Haven Senior Center.