South Windsor’s Annual Strawberry Festival is being held on Saturday June 13th from 9am-5pm. Over 50 sponsors have contributed to the funding of this year’s Strawberry Festival, tending to the Republican Town Committee’s plans for revamping the event.
Previously held at Nevers Park, the festival is sporting a new location for its 45th anniversary, the John J. Mitchell Fairgrounds at 75 Brookfield Street.
“The John J Mitchell Fairgrounds is a much larger area allowing fairgoers to park closer to the event,” event planner Stephanie Dexter explained. “It gives our crafters a space closer to other happenings like the food trucks and the folks there for entertainment. We believe that eliminating the big hill is also a plus for our seniors and others with mobility issues.”
The location change will accommodate expansions of the festival, including a newly added Kid Zone with a bounce house, petting zoo, story telling and crafts, and face painting station. In addition, the South Windsor Fire Department will be in attendance with its Smokehouse simulation and Sparky the dog.
Expanded food truck options will be offered as well, everything from hot dogs, wings, chicken tenders, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza and fried dough will be available. Plus a Brazilian Grill, Indian kebabs and a variety of desserts.
The new location will allow for over 170 crafters and vendors to be in attendance, amplifying one of the festival’s main attractions. The festival showcases vendors from South Windsor and surrounding towns, supporting dozens of local businesses.
Crafters are signed up to sell homemade crafts ranging from birdhouses, honey, crochet items, jewelry, stained glass, pet toys, soaps, sea-glass, novelty jams and relishes and more.
The festival will commence at 8:45am with a celebration of The United States of America’s 250th Anniversary, as the American Legion carries the colors across the stage and the National Anthem is performed. Following the ceremony, a DJ will be on stage throughout the remainder of the festival along with periodic performances.
Near the stage, the South Windsor Police Department will be making an appearance, hosting an impressive new K9 Demonstration from 1-2pm.
In the spirit of strawberries, the festival will have strawberry shortcake and soda available for purchase, as well as locally grown berries provided by Dzen’s Farms.
The new location, while being a big change, has been determined to be a positive expansion of the festival.
“As with anything in life, change is difficult, especially after more than 25 years at Nevers Park. This move was entirely our decision and we sincerely hope the community will embrace the Fairgrounds as our new home and come out for the same great event residents have come to expect,” Dexter told The Prowl.
The Strawberry Festival is an event the South Windsor community looks forward to year round. It thrives on family friendly fun, local business support and residential engagement, all are encouraged to attend.
