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MEDIA CONTACT: Sally Anne Giedrys
Communications Manager
sgiedrys@ecotarium.org
(508) 929-2738

(WORCESTER, MA)&emdash; This summer, EcoTarium puts a new twist on an old New England favorite when it holds its first-ever Blueberry Festival on July 31. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum and grounds will be home to all things blueberry&emdash; and some other "blues" too. During the day, visitors can:

• Venture out on an Incredible Edibles Walk along the EcoTarium's trails to learn about (and pick!) wild blueberries, root beer ingredients and more.
• Take a Berry ID walk to identify which local plants produce berries.
• Learn how to grow blueberries at home: which types flourish in New England, where to plant them and how to take care of them.
• Discover which animals like blueberries, including who might be found hanging around blueberry bushes and how animals aid in seed dispersal and flower production.

Of course, no blueberry festival is complete without great blueberry-inspired foods. The morning kicks off with a blueberry pancake breakfast for museum members. Throughout the day, stuff your face in a blueberry pie-eating contest, check out local farmer's berries and jam, interesting berry products and more. And it just so happens that there will be a blue moon on July 31. Learn all about this fascinating astronomical phenomena&emdash; and the folklore that surrounds it&emdash; in a special Once in a Blue Moon planetarium program on Saturday afternoon. WXLO Radio will be on-site with prizes, trivia and music.

Admission to the Blueberry Festival is half-price all day-- $4 for adults and $3 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. For those who want to start the festivities a bit early, Jazz at Sunset features bluesy performances by Mike Duke and the Soul Twisters on Friday, July 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Concert tickets are $16 on night of show; $13 if purchased before July28).

EcoTarium is an indoor-outdoor museum dedicated to exploring the natural world. The museum offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, ponds, an award-winning meadow, a planetarium, and a narrow-gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Open selected Monday holidays and Mondays during school vacation weeks. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Free parking is available. For information, please call (508) 929-2700 or email info@ecotarium.org.