Photo: Will Scott welcomes Texas Blueberry Festival guests to the Kids Bounce Park in Festival Plaza and a number of other activities happening there including the Big Blue Murals, Too Blue Petting Zoo, Make-and-Take Arts and Crafts and Cool Zone. The festival is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 13 in historic downtown. Photo by Bruce R. Partain. Follow the children to find blueberry fun at the 20th Annual Texas Blueberry Festival, presented by Brookshire Brothers, held downtown on Saturday, June 13. “Festival Plaza will be filled with tons of kid’s activities,” said Stacy Dicks, Kids and Pets events director. “Plus, the live entertainment happening on stage, the Blue (Horse) Shoes and Washers Tourney and more vendor booths will give people of all ages something fun to see and do.” Festival Plaza is the grassy and tree-shaded park just south of downtown, between Pecan and Fredonia streets. The Kid Bounce Park will be back with the giant bounce houses and slides. Huge inflatables with water features will be new to the area, and will give children “a chance to cool down while having their bouncy fun this year,” Dicks said. “And all the thrill seekers will find The Rock Climbing Wall there, too.” All Kid Bounce Park activities require tickets or armbands. Tickets are $2 each or play all day with an armband available for $10. A popular and free of charge event, the Big Blue Murals sponsored by Consolidated Communications and Sam’s Club, will be available for all young artists ready to show their talents. At least six murals will be available this year, waiting for little hands that will transform them in to true works of art. “It’s like pages from a giant coloring book,” Dicks said. Another free activity offered to all children attending the festival is the Make-and-Take Arts and Crafts. “TXU Energy will host the children’s arts and crafts with a variety of activities where kids use their imaginations to make interesting, one-of-a-kind items of their very own,” Dicks said. “They can give their unique item to someone special or keep as reminders of a grand day.” The True Blue Petting Zoo gives every child a chance to get close to four-legged, furry and fuzzy friends that will include ponies, mini-horses, goats, llamas and more. The Nacogdoches Animal Shelter will again have adoptable animals at the festival ready for a new family and a new home. Entrance in to the petting zoo is free of charge. Photos with animals and pony rides are available for a nominal fee. The Petting Zoo is organized by the East Texas Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, assisted by the Nacogdoches County Expo Center crew. A free activity for all in Festival Plaza and near the Main Street Stage is cooling down at the Cool Zones sponsored by Nacogdoches Medical Center. “It’s a great place to cool down with the misters and fans, have a cold drink of water, and plan where to go next at the festival,” said Debbie Stevens, Cool Zone event organizer. A well-known favorite event of the festival, the Blue Threads Costume Contest, will begin with registration at 9:45 a.m. in the Commercial Bank lobby. Children will parade in their costumes beginning at 10:15, and ribbons will be awarded to the winners in front of the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 10:30. Dicks said the popular True Blue Pet Parade sponsored by Best Water Store and Nacogdoches Animal Services will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the east end of Main St. and prizes for most unique, cutest and best costume will be awarded. The Texas Blueberry Festival is a production of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit the festival’s Web site at www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com or call (936) 560-5533. The festival is a Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful litter-free event. Dicks invites church youth groups or service clubs to contact the chamber for opportunities to help in the kids’ area of the festival.