• The Strawberry Festival, a 40-year Stouffville tradition, has relied on community volunteers, local businesses, and Town support to sustain its operations.
  • In December 2023, the Festival’s Board of Directors transferred responsibility for Canada Day celebrations to the Town to focus solely on festival planning.
  • The Board approached the Town in 2024 to propose a new partnership model, citing difficulties in recruiting volunteers for key leadership roles.
  • A shared responsibility model was proposed with the Town managing major operational aspects like entertainment and vendor coordination.
  • The Board will retain oversight of legacy events like the Pancake Breakfast and Citizen and Sports Person of the Year awards.
  • The Town estimates an additional $25,000 in operating costs related to its new role, with plans to offset expenses through sponsorships and vendor revenues.

 

The Strawberry Festival has been a cherished Stouffville tradition for 40 years. Known for its community-driven approach, the event has relied on volunteers, support from local businesses, and in-kind contributions from the Town.

In December of last year, the Festival’s Board of Directors transferred responsibility for Canada Day celebrations to the Town, allowing the Board to concentrate on planning the Strawberry Festival while maintaining the connection between the two events.

The Board again approached the Town in September hoping to explore a new partnership model for the 2025 Festival. “The Board of Directors expressed that it has become challenging to recruit new committee members to take on the role of the larger portfolio leads and to sustain the festival in its past format as an event run exclusively by community volunteers,” a related Staff report explained.

During Council’s Oct. 16 meeting, Mayor Iain Lovatt introduced a member motion asking Staff to explore ways the Town could increase support for the festival. The approved motion highlighted the event’s exponential growth over four decades and called for Staff to provide recommendations by the end of 2024.

Subsequent discussions between Town Staff and the Board of Directors resulted in a proposed shared responsibility model, with the Town managing key operational components, including vendor coordination, entertainment, technical production, beverage services, health and safety, sponsorships, and marketing.

“It was important for the Board of Directors that they retain the iconic community ‘Legacy Events’ as part of this new proposed model,” the Staff report added. These signature events include the Pancake Breakfast, the Citizen and Sports Person of the Year awards, the Sandra Stronach Red Berry Cafe, the Gladys Clarkson Stouffville Bakes competition, and more.

The Town and Board are committed to maintaining the festival’s long-standing values and traditions while evolving operations to meet growing popularity and attendance. Planning for the 2025 event will begin in January, with a post-festival review in July to assess the success of the new partnership model and make any needed adjustments.

Stouffville estimates that the newly assumed municipal responsibilities will come with an operating cost of $25,000. Although the expense has not been budgeted, the Town is hopeful to offset costs through sponsorships and vendor revenues.

Council approved the partnership plan during their recent December 11 meeting. The collaboration will be solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding, ensuring the festival continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Stouffville’s summer events schedule.

*Cover image courtesy of the Strawberry Festival