Don't let the name fool you. Petals from the Past is about more than antique rose varieties (which was the context I first heard the name, as my neighbor sang their praises). They'll demonstrate that this Saturday with their annual "Black and Blue" festival.

Jason and Shelley Powell opened Petals From the Past, a fruit farm and plant nursery, in Jemison in 1994. During this Saturday's event, which is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., you can pick blackberries and blueberries for $5 a pint -- or you can buy them already picked for the same price.

I had a taste of those blackberries last Saturday at Pepper Place Market, and would have bought some had I not already bought a big basket of strawberries. Unlike the blackberries you typically get at the grocery store, which tend to be more tart than flavorful, these were sweet and delicious.

For $5 a person, guests get to sample blackberry and blueberry recipes prepared by Southern Sweets of Montevallo, including lemon-and-blueberry mousse cake; blackberry brownies; blackberry-and-jalapeno compote served with biscuits; triple berry cobbler made with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries; and chicken breast stuffed with apples, bacon, cranberries and blueberries.

There will also be bluegrass music, pony rides, a petting zoo and face painting.

There was a good article about the festival in yesterday's Birmingham News, which you can read online at al.com.