Greenbank Farm was once the largest producer of loganberries in the United States.

That fruity heritage will be celebrated this weekend with the annual Loganberry Festival. The two-day festival features live music, the ever-popular pie-eating contests, storytelling and more.

Judy Feldman, manager of the Greenbank Farm, is  quick to describe the live music being performed throughout the weekend.

“It tells the story of how music began,” Feldman said of the scheduled performances that show how music develops through people’s lives. Island Strings, which features young musicians; Nathaniel Talbot, a graduate of the farmer training center; the Shifty Sailors; and Marimba Ruzivo are just some of the musical acts scheduled for the festival.

The Loganberry Festival is taking place a bit earlier than in previous years. Feldman cited several reasons for that. There is an extra weekend in July and organizers didn’t want to compete with the larger Bellevue Arts Festival, which is one of the largest in the state, that takes place the last weekend of July.

“We wanted to draw more tourists from off the island,” Feldman said. The Loganberry Festival does take place the same weekend as the Lavender Festival in Sequim. Feldman said the festival lost a couple of vendors because of the scheduling, but organizers are encouraging folks to try and attend both festivals this weekend. People can attend Loganberry one day and Lavender the other.

“What we hope is it will create a more lively festival,” Feldman said.

The Greenbank Farm was once owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle wineries and grew acres of loganberries that were used for wine. The farm eventually ended up in public ownership in 1997. Since then it has become a community hub, home to small businesses and galleries and a place for people to learn about farming.

In addition to the music, equestrian events and a dog agility event are scheduled for the Loganberry Festival.

Feldman said the dog agility contest is necessary for people who want to qualify for the state competition.

The festival also has pie eating contests, and several kids’ activities including the bouncy house.

South Whidbey resident Jill Johnson, not to be confused with the county commissioner candidate, will dress as Rebecca Ebey and tell stories of Whidbey Island’s early days.

Feldman also mentioned the great food that will be served and the members of the farmer trainer center who will sell their crops and offer tours of the farm fields.

The Greenbank Farm Loganberry Festival goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The event is free, but a $5 donation is suggested for parking.

For more information, go to www.greenbankfarm.com.

On the Loganberry Main Stage

Saturday, July 21

10 a.m. — Island Strings

10:25 a.m. — Nathaniel Talbot

11 a.m. — Kid’s pie eating contest

11:15 a.m.  — Baby Island

Noon — Shifty Sailors

1:15 p.m. — Adult pie eating contest

1:30 p.m. — Marimba Ruzivo

2:30 p.m. — Kid’s pie eating contest

2:45 p.m. — The Rural Characters

3:45 p.m. — Greenbank open mic

4 p.m. — Pete

Sunday, July 22

10 a.m. — Muse and Eye

10:45 a.m. — Kid’s pie eating contest signup

11 a.m. — Pearly Blue

Noon — Adult pie eating contest

12:15 p.m. — Bahia

1:30 p.m. — Zumba #1 from Island Athletic Club

1:45 p.m. — Tambourine Sky

2:45 p.m. — Kid’s pie eating contest

3 p.m. — Zumba #2

3:15 p.m. — Pearl Django