By Billie McNally
SHREWSBURY – The skies were sunny at this year’s Strawberry Festival at The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury June 8.
The festival is a long-standing tradition in this historic town, started in 1945 by the ministry called the Presbyterian Women. The original event was hosted in a small room at the back of the church. Desserts were served and then furniture pushed aside for square dancing. The festival moved to Blair Hall, the original church house when it was built in the late ‘50s. The event continued as a social gathering until the church house burned to the ground in 1974. For the next few years the Strawberry Festival was held at Shrewsbury firehouse until the new church house was built.
Since the 1980s, when the current church house was completed, the festival has been hosted there and became a fundraising event with proceeds supporting missions locally, nationally and globally. While the festival has evolved over the years one thing has not changed – the feelings of fellowship and friendship that fill the room. Many of the members have been participating in the festival for generations. You could not help but smile as you watched grandparents introduce their little ones to this family tradition.
The Presbyterian Women whipped up strawberry desserts reminiscent of our youth. The strawberries were served in a variety of delectable confections: an ice cream sundae, chocolate dipped or piled atop fresh cake with mounds of whipped cream. The Men’s Group fired up the grill for an all-American barbecue replete with homemade baked beans.
There were many treasures for sale at the event. The jewelry table offered myriad vintage pieces as well as fun and funky trinkets. The craft table was filled with handmade, one-of-a-kind needlework, knit and sewn items. Local artist and church member Jan Pedersen presented her spectacular watercolor cards and paintings.
The Beach and Décor shop with its gently used treasures was once again a popular hit with tables spilling over with picnic baskets, vintage bed linens and home goods. This year Wagon Inn, a local rescue group, joined the celebration bringing pups looking for their forever homes.
The church is an inclusive and welcoming community sharing a rich local history and love of community and mission work. They invite guests to join them for Sunday service, the Christmas Bazaar or next year’s Strawberry Festival.
