The Plymouth Park Board has approved a new six-year lease agreement with the Marshall County Blueberry Festival, securing the Labor Day weekend tradition at Centennial Park through 2031.
The contract, approved Monday night, covers the festival's use of the park from 2026 through 2031 and includes updates to rental fees and operational details.
The agreement leases the majority of Centennial Park to the festival, including the Bill Nixon Field seating area for the fireworks show, the Young Amphitheater for entertainment programming, select park equipment, and 80% of the Chicken Coop building
The festival receives staged access to the property. The setup period is from 8 a.m. Friday through noon, Thursday before Labor Day weekend, one week of preparation. The Festival has exclusive use from noon on Wednesday through 11 p.m. on Monday of Labor Day weekend, and cleanup must be completed by 11 p.m. on the Thursday following Labor Day
Rental fees will increase incrementally over the six years:
- 2026-2027: $33,000 annually
- 2028-2029: $34,000 annually
- 2030-2031: $35,000 annually
The festival will also pay $15 per hour for any park staff assistance with preparation or restoration work.
Additionally, the festival must reimburse the park for all electrical service costs during the event period. The contract stipulates that the carnival must generate its own electricity rather than using the park's electrical service.
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival must provide proof of $5 million in insurance coverage to the city by June 1 each year. The festival also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless both the park and the city from all liabilities.
Under the agreement, the festival will submit an annual financial statement to the park board no later than March 31 each year.
SW Parke projected to save over a million dollars closing Montezuma Elementary
Changes coming to South Vermillion School Corporation's cell phone policy
Domestic incident results in arrest in Parke County
Crawfordsville man faces list of felony child sex charges
Domestic incident results in arrest in Parke County
Clinton man nabbed in burglary case
Indiana releases update to the State Nutrient Reduction Strategy
Bridge closure to impact State Road 32 over Prairie Creek in Fountain County
13 members of armed drug trafficking and dog fighting ring sentenced
Food sport’s biggest stage will be at Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center
Education Union for ISTA staff files unfair labor charges
People urged to take precautions against tick-borne disease as risk increases with warmer weather
Hoosiers may qualify for free well water testing
FBI joins search for missing Owen County woman
