ALBION — The 22nd annual Strawberry Festival brought crowds of all ages to the historic Village of Albion on Friday and Saturday.
The days were filled with music, food and entertainment.
Children squealed with delight at the sight of animals, magicians and jugglers while their parents browsed the arts and crafts show on the front lawn of courthouse square.
Horse and buggy rides around the village were available all day long. A new band played every hour at the stage on East Bank Street. And there was food enough to please every palate.
The ambitious turned out bright and early Saturday morning to participate in the 5k/8k Run/Walk organized by Judy Christopher of FastFitness. By 10 a.m., the main drag from the high school to Main Street was filled with people for the Festival Parade.
“You wouldn’t even know it was raining, there were people all along the sides,” said Margaret Golden, a volunteer at the Information Booth through Catholic Daughters. Her favorite was the Hit Men Band from Rochester; they surrounded the Albion police cars performing the song “Dragnet.”
“That was 50 years ago that song was popular,” she said. “They just fit right in. You would think they were home town people.”
Among the little league marchers were brothers Andrew Moore, 9, and Zachary Moore, 7. Their younger sister, Meganne Moore, 23 months, and their parents, Sara and Mark Moore, proudly cheered them on from their place among the crowd of observers.
The dunk tank fundraiser to raise money for the Albion Business Association’s downtown flag fund began shortly afterwards. Mayor Michael Hadick started out in the tank first, followed by Trustee Kevin Sheehan, American Legion Commander Larry Montello and Albion school board member Iva McKenna.
The kids, especially, enjoyed the chance to take a throw at the dunk tank’s small, metal target, said Debbie Prest. Many came in packs with dollars given to them from their parents.
“I had a ball,” Montello said. “It wasn’t warm, but it was fun. ... It’s for a good cause.” After his “swim” in the tank, he stood guard at a booth selling ABA raffle tickets for a stainless steel grill. The money will be used to fund Beggar’s Night in October.
A number of local organizations rented booths to raise awareness about their services. Committed members of the newly created Neighborhood Watch handed out pamphlets and free pencils.
“We’re just generating interest,” said Sue Heard. “We need hundreds of people.”
The Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance collected money to help fund their new ambulance, said EMT Basic Tony Tranello. Members of Venturing Post 550, among them Matt Gruenewald, 16, and Steven Prentice, 15, hoped to inspire other high school students to become involved.
Gruenewald’s father is an EMT Intermediate and he aspires to become one, as well, he said.
In front of Swan Library, staff and volunteers passed out information about their summer reading program. Those who stopped by left with free pens and insect shaped finger puppets. The Friends of the Library hosted a “Swan Pond” for a 50-cent fee.
“We have mystery boxes filled with treasures,” said librarian Suzie Gaylard. “They just have to decide which one they want.”
Twelve-year-old Scottie Osborne went fishing at the Swan Pond at least six times, he said. Strings of colorful beads adorned his neck to prove it. His sister, Tauhna Micek, watched with amusement.
Other favorites included Brown’s Berry Patch and ice cream homemade on the spot by the Hershberger family. T-shirts with the 2008 Strawberry Festival logo designed by a Albion High School student went for $5.
Offerings in the food quarter were plentiful — sausages, burgers, roast beef sandwiches, pizza and hot dogs. Picnic tables lined the streets, giving patrons a place to rest while they listened to live entertainment. For dessert, there was also a selection of fresh squeezed lemonade, smoothies, kettle corn, cotton candy, candied apples and fried dough.
On Saturday, Airplay Comedy Juggling kept families of all ages entertained with their Chinese Yo-Yo tricks.
Clarendon mom Bobbie Apicella stopped to watch with her three children, Xander, 9, Sierra, 6, and Jasmine, 2. The girls dressed in matching sundresses and Xander sported a pair of black rubber boots. They waited out the morning’s rain and arrived by the afternoon.
“We’re just looking around at the different booths,” Apicella said before her children, off and running to the next event, called her away.
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Discussion
June 16, 2008
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Thousands turn out for annual community event
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