- The Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival is accepting nominations for its 2025 People of the Year Awards, which celebrate community contributions.
- Categories include Citizen of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, and the new Supporting Local Community Award.
- Nominations are open to Stouffville residents, community groups, service organizations, and local businesses, with a submission deadline of May 15, 2025.
- Award recipients will be honoured during the Festival’s opening ceremonies on June 27, 2025.
- This year’s festival marks the first under a new partnership with the Town, while legacy events will remain managed by the Festival’s volunteer board.
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival is now accepting nominations for its 2025 People of the Year Awards, which honour individuals, organizations, and businesses that make a meaningful impact in the community.
Residents are invited to submit nominations in three categories: Citizen of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, and Supporting Local Community. The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Award recipients will be recognized during the Festival’s opening ceremonies on June 27, 2025.
The Citizen of the Year award highlights a local resident whose contributions have positively shaped Whitchurch-Stouffville. Individuals, community groups, and service organizations are eligible for nomination.
The Sports Person of the Year award acknowledges those who have significantly influenced sports or athletics in the town. Nominations are open to individuals, groups, and organizations committed to fostering athletic achievement and community involvement in sports.
New this year, the Supporting Local Community Award will recognize a local business or entrepreneur that has demonstrated strong support for community initiatives in sports, culture, the environment, or social causes.
The People of the Year Awards ceremony is a signature event of the annual Strawberry Festival, marking a longstanding tradition that celebrates the town’s community spirit and local achievements.
Last year’s Citizen of the Year recipient was dedicated community volunteer and Stouffville Bulletin administrator Susan Tucker. The Sports Person of the Year award was presented to Whitchurch-Stouffville Minor Hockey Association Vice-President and Program Director Julia La Marca.
This year’s festival will be the first under a new partnership with the Town, which will oversee key coordination efforts such as vendor acquisition and entertainment. However, legacy events—including the Citizen and Sports Person of the Year awards—will continue to be organized by the Festival’s volunteer board of directors and committee members.
For more information about the event, visit the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival’s official website.
Cover image provided by and used with permission from the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival
