Monroe Congregational's Strawberry Festival is this Weekend

By Angela Cross

Preparations for the annual Monroe Congregational Church Strawberry Festival are underway. Dozens of Church members will hand pick strawberries Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be used in hundreds of strawberry shortcakes, whole berry pies, chocolate dipped creations, smoothies, and more.

The Strawberry Festival will take place this Saturday, June 15th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 16th from noon to 5 p.m. on the Monroe Green.

This is the 42nd modern Strawberry Festival following a tradition started in the late 1800’s. In past years, over 2 tons of berries have been used in our delectable creations with nearly 1,800 lbs of strawberries handpicked locally at Jones Family Farm in Shelton. 

The Festival’s Country Store will sell the church’s award winning strawberry jams and jelly. “Very Berry” and “Strawberry Lemonade” jam, prepared by Monroe resident and church member, Sue Wilgan and her helpers, both took blue ribbons at the Durham Fair in 2009.

The church will also serve up hamburgers and hot dogs, veggie burgers and more, so guests can enjoy lunch or an early dinner at the Strawberry Festival.

There will be inexpensive games for children and entertainment from live bands and local dance troops, throughout the weekend. Plus back by popular demand, the festival will feature a dunking booth.

Over 75 juried crafters and fine artists from the East Coast will be selling their handmade items and paintings on the Green.  Festival goers can shop for flowers, clothing, fine art, jewelry, furniture, toys, glass, pottery, crafts of wood and metal and more. 

There is no admission fee and parking is free.  The festival is located on the Monroe Green and the adjacent grounds of the Monroe Congregational Church at the intersection of Route 111 and Church St.