Calling all pickers and blackberry lovers! Join us to celebrate our favorite park fruit. Lend your voice or instrument to an all-levels jam session, bring a blackberry treat to participate in a recipe competition, or come to listen and taste-test!

Saturday, July 11th 1 - 3PM | Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
1900 Davidson St.

We are excited to announce our recipe contest judges!

  • Jennifer Latham - Owner, Mama Bread

  • Megan William - Executive Pastry Chef, Etch 

  • Gillian Welch - Home baker and Shelby fan! 

  • Cara Graham - Owner, Lockeland Table

Sign Up for the Recipe Contest Here!

recipe Competition rules

This year, Friends of Shelby and the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center invite the community to celebrate this sweet and tart favorite by taking part in our Blackberry Recipe Competition.  

Contest Guidelines

  • Create a recipe using fresh blackberries and bring enough to share!

  • Register for the competition using this form

  • Bring your finished recipe to the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center on Saturday, July 11th at 12:30 PM

  • Recipes will be judged based on 

  • Presentation  

  • Originality 

  • Use of blackberries 

  • Yumminess! 

  • The winners will be picked by our panel of judges and announced during the event.  The winner will have ultimate bragging rights, and the top three finishers will receive a prize.  

Where can I get blackberries?

Tennessee blackberries are expected to ripen in the first week of July (weather-dependent). Find blackberries at farmers markets across Nashville or go pick some yourself at a local farm! Find a farm near you here.

You can also pick wild blackberries in Shelby Bottoms! Follow these ethical foraging guidelines:

  • Only harvest blackberries you can reach on-trail

  • Limit one pint of blackberries per family

  • Don’t wipe out a whole bush’s berries—spread out your picking to leave some behind for wildlife and others!

  • Blackberries are the ONLY thing permitted to be foraged in Shelby Park & Bottoms.