- 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival, which kicks off in Memorial Park this Friday, June 28.
- The weekend schedule is packed and promises opportunities to indulge in fresh strawberries and delicious strawberry dishes at every turn.
- The musical lineup includes performances by Leah Daniels, The Twangsters, New Moon Junction, Jack de Keyzer, Ginger St. James, and the York Durham Finger Style Guitar Association.
- A Festival Market will feature over 200 vendors, including craftspeople, local businesses, and plenty of specialty food and beverage options.
- Children can look forward to entertainment from DooDoo the Clown, inflatable structures, pony rides, a petting zoo, craft centers, Library story time, magic shows, and even archery.
- In the Food and Beverage Zone and Festival Pub, attendees can enjoy a variety of cuisines and drinks, including a special edition Strawberry Beer from Stouffville’s Muddy York Brewing Company.
- Detailed schedules are available on the Festival’s website for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Festival’s opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 28, at the Memorial Park bandshell. The Food and Beverage Zone and Festival Pub will be open to the public, and Ginger St. James will start the entertainment with a performance at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday morning, Mayor Iain Lovatt, MP Dr. Helena Jaczek, and MPP Paul Calandra will host a pancake breakfast at Latcham Hall starting at 8 a.m. Throughout the day, the Strawberry Express Trolley Tour will offer rides to local strawberry picking farms.
To help reduce traffic, a shuttle bus will run from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This complimentary service will have stops at Hoover Park and Ninth Line near St. Brendan CS, the Tim Hortons at 1030 Hoover Park, the Stouffville Arena, St. Brigid CS on Millard, Barbara Reid PS on Hoover Park, and the main Festival entrance at Park and Burkholder.
Exhibition baseball and softball games will be played in the Memorial Park Baseball Diamond, the Whitchurch Stouffville Library is hosting a spelling bee on Saturday afternoon, and a dog contest will be held at Franklin Park from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
To conclude the long weekend, the Town of Whitchurch Stouffville will host Canada Day fireworks on Monday, July 1. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. in Memorial Park with food trucks and live performances planned.
For complete schedule details, site and trolley maps, and further event and performance information, visit the Strawberry Festival’s website.
*Image courtesy of the Strawberry Festival