Festivalgoers had to be quick to grab the biggest, juiciest berries last Saturday at St. Andrew’s Strawberry Festival — nearly the entire stock sold out by noon.
More than 5,000 residents and visitors returned to Simcoe Street for the annual, one-day, volunteer-run, start-of-summer festival, where proceeds go toward the upkeep of the 200-year-old historic church.
“What it’s really about is reaching out to the community and opening the doors,” said St. Andrew’s treasurer Janice Thompson. “It’s a very special day for us — for everyone.”
Thompson said the festival keeps to the traditional format people count on year after year. Visitors who arrived at 8 a.m. came for strawberry pies and scones, knowing they don’t last long once the event kicks off.
This year, the team expanded the entertainment at the request of guests who like to spend more time at the festival, with standout performances by the Bethany Handbell Choir, Olde Time Fiddlers and the four-piece band Revolver and Friends.
The festival featured the requisite fresh local strawberries with crepes, barbecue, shortcake and frozen yogurt, alongside a silent auction, children’s area and live music. Church tours and organ music also ran throughout the day, and a new vintage table with jewellery joined the silent auction inside the parish.
The day also serves St. Andrew’s mission to bring more families into the church, which runs a Sunday school program and a summer camp for children.
“That’s part of growing our congregation and inviting more families to come to the church,” she said.
A committee of volunteers organized the festival under organizer Kathy Hunter, who works with Julie Hunter and Doug Dine. The team divided the work this year to plan baking, refrigeration and food production in advance, while one congregation member sourced the entertainment and Diane Tickman assembled the lineup of bands.
Festival proceeds go toward maintaining the historic building, which the church property committee plans for five to seven years ahead.
“It is labour intensive work in keeping these buildings looking as beautiful as they do,” said Thompson.
Thompson connected the festival’s staying power to the strawberry itself, the first fruit Mother Nature shares each year.
“It’s about love and friendship and nature and agriculture, everything that really is the focus of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” she said.
The congregation takes pride in preserving a sanctuary that has stood for more than two centuries.
“It’s a great testament to what people can do when they work and worship together,” said Thompson.
Next up on the local festival calendar is the St. Mark’s Cherry Festival scheduled for July 4, followed by the Peach Festival hosted by St. Vincent de Paul Parish on August 10.
