There were musicians at the Summer Festival providing live entertainment to attendees. (Katecey Harrell/ Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Tyler Berry Farm celebrated its 40th anniversary Saturday with a Summer Festival.

“The blueberries were planted in 1984 by my grandpa,” owner Marshall Wiggins said. “My wife and I bought the farm in 2021, so this is our 40th year in business. This is our big celebration.”

Surrounded by three acres of berries, families armed with colorful baskets picked blueberries, shopped at vendor stalls and food trucks, and enjoyed live music, a car and tractor show and hay rides.

This year marked the second time the festival was held. Last year, it took place in April during strawberry season and was such a hit that Wiggins expanded it, adding the car and tractor show.

Wiggins said the festival is a labor of love by his mother, Nancy; his wife, Addie; Effie Tripura; and Cass Orr. He stressed that without them, this festival wouldn’t be possible.

He said they handle organizing vendors, entertainment and food trucks, while Wiggins focuses on cultivating the berries.

“God grows produce. I facilitate it,” Wiggins said.

Tyler resident Monica Harrell attended with her family. Harrell said she saw a post about the event on Facebook and decided to bring her family to enjoy the outdoors and have family-friendly summer fun.

“The kids have enjoyed seeing how you can pick blueberries and not just get them at the store,” Harrell said. “It looks like they’re having a good time filling their bucket as much as possible.”

Lisa Gordon owns One Mustard Seed, a store that sells jewelry engraved with scripture. During the event, visitors walked around her booth, inspecting her items, and many found pieces that resonated with them, she said.

“The weather’s beautiful. We’ve got a beautiful breeze. It’s a nice mix of vendors, too,” Gordon said. “Everybody’s a little unique, a little bit different.”

Since it started last year, the event has nearly doubled, with thousands of people expected to visit, 50 vendors and seven food trucks.

“Our biggest mission with the farm, it’s our ministry,” Wiggins said. “So [to] spread the love of Jesus. I want people to enjoy the atmosphere out here, to feel loved and feel the presence of Jesus.”