ELLENVILLE – August means many things. This year, it happens to mean heat, humidity, and yet more rain. But in Ellenville, it means one more thing: the Tenth Annual Shawangunk Mountain Wild Blueberry and Huckleberry Festival, which bursts onto the scene on Saturday, August 22.

Often referred to simply as the Ellenville Blueberry Festival, the massive street fair promises to be bigger than ever this year, with around 200 spaces having been sold so far — and more still yet to go. Ace Hardware's Brian Culwell, who is chairing the Blueberry Festival committee this year, estimates that there will be roughly 150 vendors, whereas last year there were only 130 or so.

"It's going to be the biggest one that we've ever had," says Janet McDonnell, Executive Secretary for the Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce. "We're packing them in everywhere we can find a place for them," she says of the many vendors and space-buyers that will be at the festival next weekend.

To make room for everyone, the Blueberry Festival Committee is going to be making use of Market Street in addition to the usual Canal Street and Liberty Square. Cullwell chalks this year's numbers up to previous years' successes.

"We think that it's been successful in the past that some vendors are taking more spaces, some vendors — there are vendors who have been trying to get into this but haven't been able to maybe because of other conflicts," says Culwell. "We've changed the date. Years ago we used to have it the weekend before, so we've now settled into this third weekend in August, and it's been very successful. Last year it was very successful, but this year we're doing even better as far as spaces — as long as weather holds out for us, we should be good."

McDonnell says she isn't surprised about the outcome, though.

"I kind of predicted this at the beginning of the season because of the economy," she says. "I think people are going to try to make money any way they can." Of the many new vendors, we can expect to see Hudson Valley Coffee Roasters, Lola's Beads, Snuggles and Fun, and a German food vendor named Wurst House, the last of which will be stationed across from Stedner's Printing on Canal Street.

In addition to the new vendors, some old favorites are coming back. The rock climbing wall will be making an appearance, where guests to the festival will be able to see how far up they can go, while the annual pie judging contest will be back again as well, pitting bakers from near and far against one another to see who can come up with the tastiest treat at the fest. Of course, local vendors, like Cohen's Bakery, will also be around to contribute gastronomical goodies to the festival-goers.

But wait: that's not all. Expect to see Macaroni the Clown, artists showing their stuff in the Hunt Memorial Building, and a full slate of musical acts on two stages: one in front of the Hunt Building at Liberty Square, and another at the Cultural Area Gazebo near Market and Center Streets. Musical acts include Will Hoppey, the Carl Richards Band, Cleoma's Ghost, and the Oxford Depot Bluegrass Band, to name a few.

Festivities kick off at 7:30 a.m. with the early morning blueberry pancake breakfast, and then the regular street fair portion of the festival begins at 9 a.m., running through until 4 p.m. If you're interested in lending a hand, the Blueberry Festival Committee is still looking for volunteers to help set up, tear down, and help out with garbage to keep the village looking spic and span for its guests.

Give the Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce a call at 647-4620, and get ready for the biggest blueberry festival yet.