Strawberry festival begins Friday in GC
Still not broken, Strawberry Days continues into its 29th annual festival in Grove City.
“It's kind of one of those festivals that if it's not broke, don't fix it,” said Mary Kay Mattocks, the event coordinator.
The festival begins at 10 a.m. Friday and continues until Sunday at the Grove City Memorial Park. The event, which has free admission and parking, usually draws around 10,000 people each year.
Mattocks said the strawberry festival will remain true to its tradition of being a family festival, not a fair. She said there won't be any rides or games, but there will be plenty of strawberry-infused items, great food and plenty of entertainment.
“We do have fresh strawberries for sale throughout the festival,” she said.
Also, the vendors for these strawberry delights are all nonprofit organizations, trying to earn some money for their causes.
“For some of them, this is the main way to get money, and it's an important festival for them,” Mattocks said.
Mattocks said the only thing that is guaranteed to change from year to year are the musicians they acquire. She said the organizers like to bring in local musicians.
“Bring your lawn chair to watch the entertainment,” Mattocks said. “Our entertainment this year is everything from the '40s to the current to gospel and everything in between.”In addition to live music, there will be a car show on Saturday, and the children will have activities throughout the festival in the Shortcake Patch.Then there are around 50 crafters who sell their wares at stalls.“We have all kinds of crafts. Handmade and everything else in between,” Mattocks said.Mattocks said Strawberry Days is a nice way to spend a weekend, and the park is a nice place to be in general. She said there is a playground near the festival grounds and a local swimming pool that's opening coincides with the first day of the festival.“There's lots to do in the park besides the festival,” Mattocks said. “The park has activities for the whole family.”
