Find artisan wares at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church's Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 25th.
Strawberries are naturally a big draw at the annual Strawberry Festival in Heathsville held on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The theme includes signature homemade strawberry shortcakes, locally grown strawberries by the quart, and even a strawberry-themed scavenger hunt for the kids. “But there are plenty of other things to appeal to adults and children alike,” said event coordinator Ellen Kirby. “It’s no wonder that the Strawberry Festival is consistently rated one of the area’s best events and has become a Northern Neck tradition through the decades,” she added.
The festival originated in 1882 as a “social” held by the ladies of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church to raise money to pay for the newly erected church by selling homemade shortcakes and fresh strawberries they’d picked. It grew into a festival featuring arts and craft exhibitors selling handcrafted goods sometime in the late 1970’s. Throughout the 143-year history, homemade strawberry shortcakes and fresh local strawberries have been a constant. “Thankfully,” Kirby commented, “we’re not picking 1,500 quarts of strawberries ourselves!” That works out to about 60,000 berries!
The festival always features a giant plant sale with hundreds of annuals, perennials, herbs, and native plants, an extensive bakery with homemade sweet and savory items, and a large silent auction. The silent auction features one-of-a-kind pieces and unique framed artwork, wine and gift baskets, unusual, handcrafted jewelry, watercraft, and gift certificates from area businesses. In past years, some items have included an antique camel saddle, kayaks, and Bill Martz framed prints.
Special activities planned for children include a scavenger hunt, free face painting, and story readings in the church using strawberry-themed books, including the award-winning “I Love Strawberries.” This children’s book by Shannon Anderson was selected as the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom 2023 Book of the Year and won the Good Housekeeping’s Best Kids’ Books Award in 2022.
The historic church will be open for tours, and a docent will be available to answer questions about the church’s history, Carpenter Gothic architecture, and stained glass. The church remains one of Virginia’s best examples of this type of architecture.
“At Water’s Edge” will play popular music and jazz standards throughout the day. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and listen to music while enjoying shortcakes and other refreshments provided by new and returning food vendors. The food vendors are located in the area around the bandstand. They will be selling a variety of delicious seafood, BBQ, hot dogs and burgers, Mexican fare, beverages and sweet treats.
“Trifles and Treasures,” the church thrift shop, will have a wide selection of women’s, men’s, and children’s spring and summer clothing, housewares, and great finds at bargain prices.
The festival is held rain or shine on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located at 6807 Northumberland Highway (Route 360) in the center of Heathsville. Parking and admission are free.
Saturday, May 25, 2024, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm I https://ststephensheathsville.org/strawberry-festival
