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2022 Strawberry Festival events kick off today

Tire collection event planned in Elkins April 23

BUCKHANNON — The Strawberry Festival is set to return in full force today, after being canceled entirely in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and existing only in an abbreviated version a year ago.

This year’s festival will feature a full schedule that begins today with several events planned, including the WVSF Pet Show beginning at noon at the City of Buckhannon Dog Park, and the Horse and Carriage Parade on Strawberry Lane at 3 p.m. The WVSF Gift Shop on East Main Street will also be open from business from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Restaurants on Main Street will also feature specialty strawberry dishes beginning today and will continue to do so throughout the entire week. A minimal schedule on Sunday and Monday are good days to try some of those different dishes. The WVSF Gift Shop will also be on a regular schedule Monday.

Things shift into high gear on Tuesday when carnival rides begin to operate. There will be an armband special for $30 beginning on Tuesday and running through Friday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are also available each night and will be needed to ride on Saturday when the carnival operates from 1 p.m. until close.

The Food Court will also open on Tuesday at Jawbone Park and there will be a free Family Fun Night at the Stockert Youth Center from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The USDA Snakes of West Virginia by Roy Moose will be on hand at the youth center event.

On Wednesday, Opening Ceremonies, along with the lighting of the Festival Flame, will be held at noon at the Courthouse Plaza. A Photography Exhibit will be on display at the Colonial Theatre MIB Gallery from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and the Coronation of the King and Queen will take place at the West Virginia Wesleyan College Chapel at 6:30 p.m.

Live music will also take the stage Wednesday evening at the Jawbone Park Stage from 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and the Queens Ball will be at 8:30 p.m. at the WVWC Social Hall.

Another full day of activities are planned for Thursday, beginning with the CEO Quilt Show at the WVWC Gymnasium starting at 9 a.m. There will be a Diaper Derby and Children’s Strawberry Blonde contest at the Courthouse Plaza at 10 a.m., as well as an Arts and Crafts display at the Stockert Youth Center. The Photography Exhibit will open at 10 a.m. at the Colonial Theatre MIB Gallery and entertainment will be on the Courthouse Plaza beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Junior Royal Parade is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday on Strawberry Lane and the Jawbone Park Stage will host live music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Strawberry Idol (80’s Theme) will be at the Courthouse Plaza at 8:30 p.m.

On Friday, Strawberry Pancakes will be served at the First United Methodist Church from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m., while the Quilt Show, Photography Exhibit, and Arts & Craft Show will be open at their respective locations. Spring Fling is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Upshur Senior Center. Live music and entertainment will run from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Courthouse Plaza, and the Strawberry Capping Championship and Crowning of the Lord and Lady will be at the Upshur Senior Center at 1 p.m.

The Sweetest Berry Competition will be held at the Courthouse Plaza at 3 p.m. on Friday, followed by a Strawberry Auction at the same location. Entertainment will continue after the auction on the plaza at 5:30 p.m.

The Fireman’s Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday on Strawberry Lane. After the parade at 8 p.m. there will be numerous contests and live entertainment (Jawbone Park) along with Party Gras (Main Street). Strawberry Idol will perform at the Courthouse Plaza at 8:30 p.m.

All of the shows and exhibits will be open again on Saturday, and the Mountaineer Strawberry 2700 Championships will get underway at 9 a.m. at White Horse. There will be an Antique Engine and Tractor Show at the Stockert Youth Center at the same time and the Strawberry Mile Race is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Academy School.

The Grand Feature Parade will be on Strawberry Lane and will begin at 1 p.m. Following the parade there will be a Classic Car Parade and Irish Road Bowling (4 p.m.) on Turkey Run Road. A Classic Car Cruise-in will be at 5 p.m. on Main Street and entertainment is planned throughout the evening at the Courthouse Plaza, Jawbone Park and Main Street. An evening with the Drum and Bugle Corps will be at West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Ross Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday the Mountaineer Strawberry 2700 Championships will be at 8 a.m. at White Horse and the Jack Barker Canoe Race will be at Wood Street Park at noon. The carnival will run from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, and there will be a Gospel Sing at the Way of Holiness Church at 2 p.m.

This year’s event is the 80th annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival. The Festival was started as a way to honor strawberry growers and help them increase sales. The very first Festival was just a day-long celebration and as its popularity grew over the years, it became a week-long celebration.



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Strawberry fest among coming events in Bay Area

Strawberry fest among coming events in Bay Area

Regents’ reception. Alvin Community College leaders recognize the service of retiring regents Roger Stuksa and Andy Tacquard during a gathering at the Nolan Ryan Center. 5-6 p.m. 3110 Mustang Road. Free. Info: 281-756-3600.

Town hall. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council District E member and Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin outline the redistricting process and invite public comment during a town hall at Space Center Houston. 6 p.m. 1601 NASA Parkway. Free. Info: 832-393-3008, districte@houstontx.gov or www.LetsTalkHouston.org/redistricting.

MAY 19

WASP history. Lynn Miller, of the Air Force Nursing Corps and International Order of Flying Rotarians, previews the Women Airforce Service Pilots exhibit at Lone Star Flight Museum — “Fly Girls of WW II” — during a talk at Evelyn Meador Branch Library. 1 p.m. 2400 N. Meyer Ave. Free. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/59359.

MAY 20-22

Pasadena Strawberry Festival. Annual community festival will feature performers including Jake Bush and Tracy Byrd and a carnival, car show, Kid Zone, mud volleyball and the world’s largest strawberry shortcake. 3 p.m. to midnight May 20; 10 a.m. to midnight, May 21 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22. Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena. Ticket information: https://bityl.co/C2wd.

MAY 20

Happy Feet. Evelyn Meador Branch Library’s walking group meets Fridays. All ages, species and abilities are welcome. 9 a.m. 2400 N. Meyer Ave. Free. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/56354.

Genealogy tips. Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library instructors guide amateur historians through the website www.familysearch.org during a genealogy workshop. 3:45 p.m. 16616 Diana Lane. Free. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/59505.

MAY 22

Rocket science. Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Rothschild discusses the ways NASA research led to the invention of such everyday items as baby formula, solar cells and memory foam during “Space Exploration Paybacks,” a virtual program presented by Congregation Shaar Hashalom. 4 p.m. Online. Free. Info: Sandy, adulted@shaarhashalom.org.

MAY 23

Healthy aging. Experts from the Alzheimer’s Association highlight the importance of nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement during “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” at Evelyn Meador Branch Library. 11 a.m.-noon. 2400 N. Meyer Ave. Free, registration required. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/59084.

Teen leaders. Evelyn Meador Branch Library’s Youth Advisory Council meets to plan events and provide feedback. Interested teens can visit the library or email rachel.moir@hcpl.net for an application. 4:30-5:30 p.m. 2400 N. Meyer Ave. Free, registration required. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/58034.

MAY 24

Freeman Needlecrafters. Hobbyists gather to work on knitting, crochet and embroidery projects at Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library. 10 a.m. 16616 Diana Lane. Free. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/52867.

Flood control. The Pasadena Citizens’ Advisory Council provides updates about ongoing and planned projects in the city during its monthly meeting at Revive Church. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1062 Fairmont Parkway. Free, RSVP to info@pasadenacac.org or 281-326-5253 by May 22. Info: www.pasadenacac.org.

Printing primer. Learn the basics of 3D printing during an orientation session at Evelyn Meador Branch Library. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 6-7:45 p.m. 2400 N. Meyer Ave. Free, registration required. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/58681.

MAY 25

Family history. Evelyn Meador Branch Library instructors reveal how to access census, military and immigration records through the Ancestry Plus database. 11 a.m.-noon. 2400 N. Meyer Ave. Free, registration required. Info: www.hcpl.net/events/61141.