GULFPORT, Fla. (WFLA) — The Blueberry Patch in Gulfport has been known as a vibrant arts and music center for decades.
After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the venue’s pavilions, seating areas and art installations have been severely damaged.
“This is devastating,” said Bob Feckner, vice president of Sharevival at the Blueberry Patch. “We’ve never faced a challenge like this before.”
Feckner said one of the biggest issues has been getting rid of more than a dozen fallen trees on the property.
“We’re looking at 60, 70 thousand dollars just to remove the trees,” he said. “We can’t have volunteers do that. It’s just not safe.”
Board members have set up a GoFundMe to help with the cost.
“You see it all over the Tampa Bay area,” Feckner said. “People are stepping up. They’re helping each other, and that’s what we need.”
Board members said clean-up will take a few months but hoped to have the Blueberry Patch back open with live music by the beginning of 2025.
“Our goal is just to bring everybody together and give them a place where they can be themselves and create art and music and feel comfortable,” Feckner said.