• Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban will chair the Strawberry Festival board for 2026.
  • Sherban said declining volunteerism is hurting local clubs and organizations, including the festival.
  • While acknowledging criticism of this year’s event, she issued a call for volunteers.
  • The classic car show traditionally held along Main Street during the event will return to the festival lineup.
  • Residents interested in volunteering, even for a few hours during the event, are encouraged to email Councillor Sherban directly.

 

Stouffville’s Strawberry Festival is entering a new chapter, and Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban is asking the community to play a part in its success.

Speaking during Council’s Oct. 1 meeting, Sherban announced she will chair the festival’s new board for 2026 and issued a call for volunteers to help organize and run the popular summer event.

She also acknowledged recent criticism of the festival from residents who felt it did not live up to expectations. Sherban attributed that, in part, to the event’s new partnership with the Town, which she described as a “big learning curve.”

“Over the years, we’ve seen volunteers not step up and help, and that’s really why we partnered with the Town,” she said. “People like to make comments about something not being done this way or that way, but it takes a crew of people to put on a festival.”

Despite the challenges, Sherban praised the collaboration as a positive step and said lessons learned will guide improvements in the years ahead. Looking forward, she confirmed the return of the classic car show traditionally held along Main Street during the event.

“I really want to reach out to the community [and ask] for their support in stepping up and volunteering,” she added. “There’s a job for everyone, and it doesn’t have to mean year-round meetings. It could just be four hours on the festival weekend.”

Sherban noted that declining volunteerism has affected many local clubs and associations in recent years. She said the Strawberry Festival is no exception, and that more hands are needed to sustain its role as one of the community’s signature events.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact Sherban directly via email.

 

Cover image taken by Joseph Kellner