Blueberry Festival fundraisers coming

IMLAY CITY — With cold wet winds clawing at your coat, it’s hard to imagine that the 32nd annual Blueberry Festival is just a shade over seven months away.

Organizers of the popular summer event are busy planning two fund raisers to help support the entertainers, fireworks display and parade that are at the heart of this free, family-friendly event.

Blueberry Festival organizers will kick off their fund raising efforts with a bowling fundraiser from 10 p.m.- midnight Feb. 11 at Cedar Lanes, 270 South Cedar Street. Participants will get three games of nine pin no-tap for $15. Cash prizes will be rewarded to the top three teams and a 50/50 raffle will be held. Register by calling Cedar Lanes, 810-724-6285, or in person at 9:30 p.m. the night of the event.

Local auctioneer Brian Rowley will be back again to call out the the annual Blueberry Auction March 10 at Countryside Banquet Center at 596 South Cedar Street. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Auction tickets are $5 and any businesses or individuals donating an item, service or gift certificate valued at $50 or more by Feb. 20th will receive two free auction tickets and will be entered into a drawing for a prize valued at $100.

The auction will include appetizers and a cash bar. Those attending will also be eligible for a door prize valued at $300. Tickets are available at the Chamber office, located at 150 North Main Street in Imlay City, or may be purchased at the door the evening of the event.

More information about the 2012 Blueberry Festival and the fundraisers that help support it can be found at www.imlaycityblueberry.com or by calling the Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce at 810-724-1361.