SAVE ROOM FOR SHORTCAKE
THE STRAWBERRY SEASON may have peaked early, but there will be plenty of fruit available at local strawberry festivals. Wells, New Gloucester and Brunswick have already held their festivals, but there are still some communities that are planning to hold theirs in the coming weeks:
CAPE ELIZABETH
WHAT: 4th Annual Cape Elizabeth Strawberry Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine
WHERE: Maxwell’s strawberry field, Two Lights Road
HOW MUCH: Free admission
WHAT ELSE: Fill up on strawberry goodies, listen to music and dance, and peruse items for sale from various artisans and vendors. There will be tractor rides for kids, and hot-air balloon rides from 9 to 11 a.m.
FMI: capefarmalliance.org
RAYMOND
WHAT: Annual Strawberry Festival
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Nathaniel Hawthorne House, 40 Hawthorne Road (at the corner of Hawthorne and Cape roads)
HOW MUCH: $10 donation adults, $5 for children under 8. All proceeds go to directly maintain or improve the Hawthorne House.
WHAT ELSE: This is not a classic strawberry festival, but rather a way to educate people about the home where the famous author spent his youth – with lots of strawberry shortcake thrown in for good measure. This year marks the 200th birthday of the house, so there will be two special speakers at the event. David Johnston, a Gorham builder who has worked on the Hawthorne House, will speak about home building techniques of the 1800s. “Nathaniel Hawthorne” will talk about what it was like living in Raymond two centuries ago.
FMI: Space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 655-7660 or email jmanoush@fairpoint.net.
SOUTH BERWICK
WHAT: South Berwick Strawberry Festival
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Central School grounds, 197 Main St.
HOW MUCH: Admission is free, but bring money for food, crafts, etc.
WHAT ELSE: More than 20,000 visitors take in this annual festival, which features entertainment, more than 100 artisans and a strawberry shortcake and strawberrry cheesecake tent. Trolleys provide free transportation to the festival. The day begins with a road race and pancake breakfast. A food court sells chicken barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fried dough, frozen lemonade and other food.
FMI: southberwickstrawberryfestival.com
WASHINGTON
WHAT: 65th Annual Strawberry Festival
WHEN: 1 to 6:30 p.m. July 7
WHERE: Washington Fire Department on Old Union Road
HOW MUCH: No admission fee, but bring money to buy home-baked goods and raffle tickets.
WHAT ELSE: The menu will include strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie and assorted sandwiches. Entertainment by the Possums.
FMI: Contact Midred Melgard of the Ladies Guild at 845-3102.
WISCASSET
WHAT: 60th Annual St. Phillip’s Strawberry Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, 12 Hodge St.
HOW MUCH: Free admission
WHAT ELSE: Features a pie auction at noon, lots of local crafters, bake sale, hot dogs, plant sale, silent auction and children’s activity area.
FMI: 882-7184 or stphilips@wiscasset.net
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