Bouvier’s Berry Basket, a U-pick berry farm north of Kincaid, has set a date for its 2017 Berry Jam Fest and unveiled its musical lineup. This year marks the third annual festival.
The festival is an annual event that includes musical performances, a farmer’s market, children’s games, a picnic area and visitors can also pick berries on site for the usual fees. It will be held on Saturday, July 8. The admission for the event is $25 per person and children 12 and under are free.
The Bouvier family announced a fantastic new lineup for the Berry Jam festival with the main stage music beginning at 2:30 p.m. and continuing throughout the day.
The performers include Tenille Arts, who won album of the year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards in March; Blake Berglund, who won the SCMA’s Roots Artist of the year; Kristen Coutere, who won the SCMA’s 2017 New Artist and Youth Showcase awards; Belle Plaine, Zonnis, Back to Mono, Justin Hebor, Johnnie Ninety-Nine & Co., and Scott Pettigrew. Local artists will include Danica Auger from Gravelbourg, and Scott Heatcoat and Country Gold from Assiniboia.
Bouvier’s is also getting ready for the berry season. The hottest new berry in Saskatchewan, the Haskap, will be ready about mid-June for picking. Saskatoon berries and raspberries are expected to be ready for picking by early July. Strawberries are ready about the third week of June. Cherries are ready for picking about the end of July and beginning of August. Picking season varies according to each fruit and generally lasts two to three weeks. Also, the fruit ripening will depend on the weather. If there is cooler or moist weather, it will slow down ripening.
Elaine Bouvier recommends checking their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bouviersberrybasket/) which is updated with the progress of fruit crops and picking times throughout the season. She also recommended calling ahead that you are coming to pick or sending a Facebook message for questions about picking times.
Bouvier’s Berry Basket opened for U-pick services in 2000. It is located 12 km north of Kincaid on Highway 19.
