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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Summertime blue…blueberries that is

Kingston church holds annual festival

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
About 150 people passed the lazy, summer evening Saturday by enjoying a tasty dessert and enjoying music, games, pony rides and fellowship at the Kingston Presbyterian Church’s annual Blueberry Festival.
"(My favorite parts are) eating and listening to music," East Windsor resident Carol Simme said. "This is my parents church and I used to come here as a young girl."
Now she attends the festival, held on the church grounds on Route 27, with her family and said it gives her the opportunity to catch up with friends she hasn’t seen in a while.
One of those friends, Bill Richardson, of Monmouth Junction, has attended the festival since its inception many years ago when strawberries were the stars of the show.
It changed to blueberries several years ago because they are easier to prepare.
"You have to pick the strawberries, bring them home, cut them up, take the leaves off and put sugar in them. That’s quite a bit of work," he said. "With blueberries, you just wash them off and there you go."
Attendees were treated to ice cream and cake, covered, of course, with blueberries, music from a Christian band from the church as well as games and pony rides for the kids.
Volunteer Noelle Iordache, of Kingston, had the job of scooping a serving spoonful of blueberries on the desserts of the crowd.
"This was a very big night and the weather was beautiful," she said.
Ms. Iordache said that most people over the age of three-years-old opted for the blueberries on their desserts.
"Everybody wants blueberries," she said.
Organizer Lois Foley of Kendall Park said this year’s event drew more families with the addition of more "kid friendly" items like face painting.
She said that the festival has been going on at the church "for many years."
Shelby O’Brian, 5, took a ride on a pony named "Thunder" and said she first got to ride a pony during her fifth birthday earlier this year.
Her mother, Christine O’Brian said that Shelby always picks pony rides at events where they are offered.
"She would choose this five out of five times," Ms. O’Brian said.
The band, named Calling on Him, is based at the church and usually plays at least once a month during services.
Guitarist Chris Emmons, 34, said he has been playing the band for the last six or seven years.
"I was always listening to (Christian music) and my wife started going here," he said. "The music director that used to be here said ‘you play guitar, you have to come into the band.’"
He said the band performs all the music during its monthly performance and includes sermons and original music.
"Just to change it up a little bit," he said.
Both Mr. Richardson and Ms. Simme said the event is popular due to the "small town feel" of the festival on the grounds of the village’s church.
Although Ms. Simme attends a church in Princeton Junction, she said she still comes up to her home church in Kingston every couple of months.
"On a day like this, there is nothing better to do than what we are doing here," Mr. Richardson said. "Having blueberries and ice cream and seeing old friends."