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Legends to perform at annual Strawberry Festival
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| By: Mark J. Crawford, Editor |
April 16, 2009 |
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Festival returns this weekend!
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Music giants-or believable facsimiles-will grace the stage at the 11th annual Bradford County Strawberry Festival this weekend.
The two-day festival will be open on Call Street in downtown Starke from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 19.
The Legends Show will take place Saturday night from 7-10 p.m. on the stage set up at the corner of Call and Thompson streets.
According to Pam Whittle of the North Florida Regional Chamber Of Commerce, the legends list includes tribute artists performing as King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, and a number of country superstars like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., Wynonna, Travis Tritt and more.
They performed and the fair and it's a good show, Whittle said. Plus it's free of charge, although you may want to bring a folding chair, she said.
Whether you're a music lover, food lover, or you love arts and crafts, the Strawberry Festival has something for everyone.
Local growers will have flats of strawberries available for sale, and all food vendors have been encouraged to emphasize the berry in Strawberry Festival by offering themed items.
Arts and crafts vendors have been asked to feature strawberries as well, so there should be no problem finding berry scented candles, berry textiles, berry jewelry, berry artwork, etc.
Youth groups will be selling strawberry shortcake. The festival is an opportunity for local organizations to earn some support dollars and this year is no exception. The Starke Woman's Club, for example, will be selling strawberry pancakes beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the clubhouse located at the corner of Walnut and Jefferson.
And Whittle couldn't help but mention a favorite, "Berry-liscious," who dips strawberries in chocolate and makes a strawberry-brownie dessert that's "totally sinful."
Lest you think it's all about the berry, don't be fooled. There will be plenty of variety. You won't have to search hard to find Greek food, for example, or Thai, or barbecue, or Mexican, including just about anything you can stuff into a quesadilla, Whittle said.
In addition to around 100 vendors signed up for the event, many downtown merchants will be open and even out on the sidewalk promoting their businesses. Whittle encouraged those who plan on visiting the festival to stroll by or walk in and support local businesses. (The movie theater will also be open Saturday evening and she said Walnut Street may be opened for traffic convenience.)
Returning vendors include a gentlemen offering a diverse range of exotic live plants and Harper's Wood Shop, which makes chairs, tables, chests and more.
The Strawberry Festival is fun for the whole family. Kids can keep busy with free train rides, a bounce house, bungee jumping, face and body painting, a petting zoo and more. Plus there will be vendors with toys and other items of interest for youngsters.
There will be a 1 in 500 chance to win a motorcycle-a 3/4-scale, street legal chopper. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the chamber of commerce building. Only 500 are being sold, and all proceeds benefit Main Street Starke Inc.
Signs will be up to point visitors to available parking areas. The church lot next to First Baptist will be available Saturday, but will be closed to festival traffic on Sunday.
Parking is free, and there's no entry fee to get into the festival. You can't beat that, Whittle said.
She thanked the city, police department, local residents and downtown merchants for their support.
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©Bradford County Telegraph 2009
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