Loganberries, the plant that made Greenbank Farm famous, are growing there again. The tart, deep red berries are ripening on the vines as harvest season approaches.

Though they are not yet abundant, the loganberries are putting on a brave show and promising a greater glory to come. And it’s both the present and the future that will be celebrated Saturday and Sunday at the Loganberry Festival 2002.

The two-day outdoor event combines music, arts, crafts, wine, food and — of course — many things loganberry, to create the popular celebration.

“We are pretty excited about the festival,” said Laura Blankenship, Greenbank Farm manager. “We’ll even have fresh loganberries for sale from a berry grower, and loganberry pie-eating contests.”

Conductor of Fun Jim Freeman will return to run the show, emceeing an entertainment lineup that includes music from bluegrass to classic country and jazz, performed by all island musicians. There will be less volume than last year, Blankenship said.

For toe-tappers and polka duos, The Pickled Herring Band will kick things off with Scandinavian dance tunes at 10 a.m., followed by The Dunton Sisters from Anacortes in their first Loganberry Festival appearance.

“Sisters Jen (guitar) and Bev (mandolin) join Mom Gae (bass) for a sizzling bluegrass experience,” Freeman said.

Also playing will be the Shifty Sailors, “Whidbey’s Ambassadors of Song,” who share their sailing sea shanties. Dale Fuentes and Bahia will cook up hot tropical sounds, and the Janie Cribbs Band will be back on the island to close Saturday after opening for Ambrosia Friday in Spokane.

Sunday will bring Whidbey Island “Poet Laureate” Peter Lawlor and his harmonica, Linda Good’s Island Strings, showcasing award-winning students, and the Whidbey Island guitar blues and rock of Tom Hoeflich and drummer Dave Malony. Titambe Marimba will play their world beat marimba music, Danny Ward and Reality brings classic jazz, and Buckin, A will entertain with country fun for the entire family. There will be room for dancing on a wooden stage in front.

Foods will be served by many festival cooks. Jan Gunn’s pie will be available in the cafe and outside in the festival area, and Mike Diamante will have Island Coffee and espresso drinks, as well as loganberry lemonade.

Hutojitos Mexicanos, better known as Josie and Dulce of Sunday Market fame, will serve their Mexican cuisine, and Karin Coleman returns with sausage and Scandinavian mustards. Bruce Anderberg will play music and sell Doodle Dogs, Nadya’s will cook Greek favorites and Dan’s Kettle Corn will be there for the addicts who follow the sweet treat at various events.

New to the Loganberry Festival menu will be shave ice, wraps, Philly cheese steak sandwiches and curly fries (a first for the festival).

Winemakers from a dozen small regional wineries will pour their vintages, coming from Whidbey, San Juan and Lopez islands, the Olympic Peninsula and other parts of Puget Sound. At least two, Greenbank Cellars and Black Diamond Winery, will have loganberry wine.

Artists, artisans and craftspeople will sell their wares on the newly grassed parking lot. Greenbank Farm will also have a booth featuring its jellies and jams.

This year the farm obtained an on-site alcohol consumption permit, Blankenship said, which will allow people to buy a bottle of wine there and have it with a picnic lunch anywhere around the farm. In the past, festival visitors could consume wine only by the glass and were confined to one area.