As the temperature rises to sweltering highs (as it does in August), UPC is looking forward to being part of one of Ulster County’s favorite festivals, Ellenville’s annual Blueberry Festival. We haven’t participated in the festival since before the pandemic, and we are anticipating all the blueberry-themed vendors as well as seeing some familiar partners! The festival is hosted by the Ellenville Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce, and this is the 37th year, which is quite amazing!
According to the Chronogram, “The Ellenville Blueberry Festival is a lively, family-friendly street festival held each summer in [D]owntown Ellenville, celebrating the region’s rich blueberry-growing history. For one day, Canal Street and Liberty Square transform into a bustling scene filled with food vendors, craft booths, live music, and activities for all ages. Visitors can sample all kinds of blueberry treats, shop local vendors, and enjoy kids’ attractions and entertainment. It’s a cheerful, berry-packed celebration of local culture, community, and summer flavor.”
We think it is fortunate to have the opportunity to table at these events because it gives us the ability to speak with the community, disseminate resources, and be a lifeline for parents, caregivers, and guardians who may have a child with mild to moderate substance use. Not only can we give them literature, but we can offer services free of charge. Everything that we do at Ulster Prevention Council is of no cost to schools or to any parents. Parents can refer their child to our Teen Intervene brief intervention program as well as join in on any one of our Zoom webinars that we offer on a myriad of topics like Vaping and Marijuana & Edibles, as well as Underage Drinking. Schools can request for UPC to set up Hidden in Plain Sight, a mock teen bedroom with stash items, paraphernalia, and symbolism that could be right in front of them in their child’s bedroom. This is very popular at Open Houses or Parent/Teacher Conference Nights. We offer Vaping Crash Courses, Current Drug Trends Presentations, Teen Intervene, Positive Action, Maximizing Life, and A Peaceable Place to all 9 school districts in Ulster County
However, we are not just there for adults! We will have a table dedicated to youth where we will have resources just for them, giveaways they will enjoy, and a bracelet-making station! Our educators are definitely excited to see many of their students at this event. We work in partnership with Ellenville Elementary and Middle School to use Maximizing Life and A Peaceable Place (formerly Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence) to educate the youth about social and emotional learning skills and substances in the 6th and 7th grades. Miss Sam will definitely be a happy person as she loves to see her former Ellenville students at any event!
From what we have read, there will be blueberry muffin and pie eating contests just for kids. The vendors will be selling almost everything blueberry (which sounds yummy to me), and I can’t wait to take a walk around the different booths. However, more than anything, we can’t wait to see all the members of the community who come to our table and ask us questions about what we do. We truly love what we do at UPC and love to share that with the community! Please stop by our table and say hi! We look forward to seeing you there.