GROVE CITY — About 8,000 to 10,000 people come to the Grove City Strawberry Days festival annually, and festival chairman Mary Kay Mattocks credited the good weather Saturday with likely pushing the total toward the higher figure.

“It's totally weather dependent,” Mattocks said.

The 24th annual event took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Grove City Memorial Park.

Initially, there were concerns that there would be a shortage of strawberries because of the harsh winter.

“But, we still have them,” Mattocks said.

She said there were not any berries on Friday, but there were for Saturday and Sunday.

Although named for strawberries, the event also featured more than 100 craft vendors, food stands run by civic groups, musical acts and children's activities.

Lindsey Johnston of Grove City is an annual attendee and enjoys the crafts, food and people.

“It's really nice that they have this every year,” Johnston said.

Years ago, the festival was at a different, smaller location, but Johnston said she likes the event at the park.

“It's a bigger space for everyone,” Johnston said.

She was there with her 4-year-old niece, Taylor. Taylor was all excited about the event's namesake fruit.

“She loves strawberries,” Johnston said.

Sam Mayberry of Grove City came both Friday and Saturday. Friday was her last day of seventh grade, and she said she and her friends come after the last day of school every year.

Although strawberries are not her favorite fruit, the youth said some chocolate-covered strawberries she had were great.

Kris and Kirsty Agharaad of Grove City came to the event for the second time on Saturday. Last year, they bought a painting. This year, they bought another from the same artist.

“I like art, but we generally don't go around buying paintings,” Kirsty said.

They also made time to enjoy the food, particularly the Amish doughnuts that are an annual attraction.

“We got here early just for that,” Kris said, noting that the line for the doughnuts gradually was getting longer.

Barb Stahlman of Slippery Rock also likes to come every year. She enjoys the horse and buggy rides.

“A little bit of country life in the city,” Stahlman said.

She also enjoys the strawberries and other food.

“I'll have to see where the food booth is,” Stahlman said.