Blueberry Festival at Chattanooga Market

Pie-eating contests will be part of the fun Sunday at Chattanooga Market's Blueberry Festival.

Things are already looking blue for the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, June 23 -- blue as in blueberry, that is, as the market celebrates its annual Blueberry Festival.

"We'll have everything from fresh-picked blueberries to blueberry salsa, blueberry pie, blueberry doughnuts and even blueberry beer," says Melissa Siragusa, marketing and media relations representative.

Despite Mother Nature's delay in ripening local blueberries this year, there will be fresh blueberries, albeit a lighter load than normal. Signal Mountain Farm and Freedom Tree Farms from Pelham, Tenn., will be among the vendors offering the freshly picked fruit.

Besides the food, entertainment and handmade arts and crafts, there's another treat in store for marketgoers: pie-eating contests at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Contestants are asked to sign up for the competition at the market's information desk.

"Pies are freshly made by local eatery Fork & Pie Bar," Siragusa says. "We'll play 'Blueberry Hill' by Fats Domino, and whoever eats the most wins. They will go home with a blueberry pie and a $50 Fork & Pie gift certificate."

Guitarist Kerry Kean will kick off the entertainment at 12:30 p.m. Kean, who writes his own songs, is from Ohio and today plays mostly blues, ragtime and folk tunes. He'll be followed onstage at 2 p.m. by singer/pianist Kate Morrissey of Athens, Ga. Morrissey is known for her "dark velvet" voice, piano skills and shows that are punctuated by her offbeat sense of humor.

Contact staff writer Karen Nazor Hill at khill@times freepress.com or 423-757-6396. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/karennazorhill. Subscribe to her posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karennazorhill.