Billed as a summer celebration for the whole family, the 2024 edition of the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Cherry Festival on July 6 didn’t disappoint.
Organizer Andrea Douglas said the annual festival is all about reaching out to the community and giving them a fun day to enjoy.
“For me, to look around and see people of all ages, lots of families, children having a good time in our children’s area and good crowds throughout the day, we succeeded,” she said.
As expected, the most visually — and sonically — exciting time of the day was when the church’s grand old bell rang out at 9 a.m. to indicate the festival had started.
The approximately 250 people waiting in line surged onto the parish’s grounds to be among the first to purchase some of the many treasures of books, jewelry, clothing, art, preserves and of course, cherry pies.
Josie Rubino and her husband Tony arrived at 7:30 a.m. to get their spot at the head of the pack.
The couple have attended the festival 15 times and have been at the front of the line for the last three years.
“I like everything,” said Josie. “The pies, the jewelry, the people, the drinks, everything. It is to come together with people and enjoy it, especially the pies.”
A total of 647 pies, both fresh and frozen, were prepared by church volunteers for sale to the festivalgoers.
Douglas reports that the pies were all gone by 11 a.m. and that the final tally from sales of all items at the festival was very positive.
“Financially it was a success for us, which is important too,” she said. “For a volunteer operation, it really is amazing what we accomplished. Everyone worked so hard,” she added, making sure to give thanks not just to the people behind the tables, but to those who set up the tables, chairs and tents as well.
“It is a very feel-good event because of the support that we give each other,” she said. “It was a wonderful day.”
