Coventry, NY (WBNG Binghamton) A tiny town comes together to share some berries.
The Blueberry Festival in Coventry celebrates its 4th year.
Action News Reporter Haley Burton tell us how family fun day continues to create a sense of community.
Blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, even blueberry cupcakes.
Of course, don't forget the blueberry pie.
The Blueberry Festival is the place to be in Coventry.
"This is the big event of the year. We try to pull all of the community together just to have a family day of fun," said Joyce Besemer, First Congregational Church Pastor.
This year the fun continues for the 4th time.
"It makes us feel good to see people get together. For too long, they went some place else for their enjoyment and it wasn't really a feeling of community," said Doug Besemer, Festival Chairman.
To create that community, the Coventry Community Events Committee works year-round.
"All my friends, neighbors and some of my dearest relatives are hanging around here. I wouldn't miss it for the world," said George McLain, Bainbridge.
With local vendors setting up shop and the Museum Association, Fire Department and area Churches all present, it's also a fundraiser for the community.
"It helps take a little bit of the load off tax burden and provides extra money for the churches and fire department to do things that normally might not be available," said John Phelan, Town of Coventry Supervisor.
The blueberry festival is not just about the blueberries.
Workers made 176 chicken halves and 40 pounds of ribs.
They also picked nearly 40 quarts of blueberries.
They're picked locally at Stoney Hill Blueberry Farm the day before the event.
"This is what brings us together and keeps us together, this is coventry, our hometown," said McLain.
A tiny town that may not have a zip code but it does have 1 of only 2 Blueberry Festivals in the entire state.
In Coventry, Haley Burton, WBNG-TV Action News.
The Blueberry Festival continues through Saturday evening.
It's behind Coventry Fire Station on State Route 206.
Musical group Hailey and Shawn will be taking the stage inside the station at 7pm.
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