The Strawberry Festival is one of the largest community events in the region and draws thousands of people throughout the Northern Neck and beyond, reported festival chairman Ellen Kirby.
“We’ve won yearly ‘Best of the Rivah’ and Virginia Living ‘Best of Virginia’ awards for this annual event,” she said.
The festival features more than 100 craft artists and other exhibitors who will display original work including jewelry, fine art, woodwork, stained glass, clothing, leatherwork, textiles, basketry, soaps and lotions, garden art and specialty food items.
Mommunity groups also will exhibit and provide demonstrations, including the Northumberland Chapters of the American Red Cross and Public Library. Mid-County Volunteer Rescue Squad will conduct free blood pressure screenings. Callao Volunteer Fire Department will bring a fire truck. WRAR radio will broadcast from the festival from 8:30- 11:30 a.m.
Fresh, local strawberries will be sold by the quart. “With the cooler spring temperatures and the rain we’ve had, strawberries should reach their peak late May to early June,” said Trent Jones, agricultural agent with the Northumberland office of Virginia Cooperative Extension. “That’s just in time for the festival,” added Kirby.
Strawberries are also sliced and sugared to top 1,200 homemade strawberry shortcakes. They are a treat whether eaten as breakfast, throughout the morning, or as dessert after lunch.
Shopping
A variety of food vendors will offer seafood, barbecue, burgers, grilled hot dogs, frozen treats and beverages during the festival. And the St. Stephen’s Bakery will offer Meade’s famous rum cakes, pound cakes, cupcakes as well as many other sweet and savory homemade items.
The St. Stephen’s Trifles and Treasures Thrift Shop will be open throughout the festival, offering a selection of women’s, men’s and children’s spring and summer clothing, housewares and great finds at bargain prices.
There will be a large silent auction between the plant sale and the bakery in front of the parish house. Kayaks are one of the hot items, as well as creative gift baskets. There are always unusual items, some brand new, some antique, some conversation starters. ”This year we are adding a ‘buy-it-now’ option to the bidding,” said auction co-coordinator Wendy Beach. “And we take credit cards and Venmo as well as cash and checks.”.
A large plant sale will feature hundreds of herbs, vegetables, annuals and native plants. There will be perennials, succulents and some unusual specimens.
Activities
Music will again be provided throughout the festival by the jazz ensemble, On Water’s Edge. Seating will be provided for those wishing to enjoy the show.
There are a number of activities for the kids including story reading inside the church, a strawberry-themed scavenger hunt and face painting. Troop 250 scouts and the Northumberland Middle School BETA Club members will assist.
The historic St. Stephen’s sanctuary will be open for tours and noon prayer, and docents will provide history of the structure. Built in 1881, it is a fine example of the Carpenter-Gothic construction of the time.
Stephen’s Strawberry Festival in Heathsville will open at 8:30 a.m. with a color guard and a community prayer by St. Stephen’s priest, the Rev. Pilar Parnell. Proceeds from the festival and other St. Stephen’s events fund the church’s outreach efforts and financial donations to local charitable organizations.
“It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of summer and bring people together,” said Kirby. “St. Stephen’s is pleased to be able to welcome the entire community to a family-friendly event.”
