FARMINGTON – Music, art, family fun and strawberries. Who could ask for more?
The town kicked off its first annual Strawberry Festival this weekend. The festival, which featured a variety of arts and crafts, as well as live music and many contests and games, was put on by the Downtown Farmington Business & Professional Association. The Strawberry Festival was created to replace the Moonlight Madness Festival, which had been held in previous years.
The Strawberry Festival began Friday evening, with a chicken barbecue put on by the Farmington Fire Department Benevolent Association. Hot-air balloon rides, which had been scheduled to begin Friday afternoon, were canceled due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms that began earlier that day.
Weather improved Saturday and the Strawberry Festival drew large crowds. Several local artisans demonstrated their work on Broadway Street, including wood turning, glass blowing, wreath making and weaving. Artist Steve Hodgkin of the Temple Forest Rhythms showed kids how to make clay pots and bowls on his pottery wheel, and answered questions, explaining that he fired his work in a kiln after they were finished.
“How hot does it get?” one wide-eyed, young spectator asked.
“Up to 1,200 degrees,” Hodgkin answered, prompting a collective “whoa!” from his audience.
The festival also featured a wide variety of musicians and comedians, who performed live on a stage set up on Broadway Street. The acts varied from Meg Reid’s acoustic guitar performance to Randy Judkins’ one-man juggling, comedy and magic act. Bhagavan das Lescault from Industry put on an entertaining performance with drums, cymbals and rhythmic chants.
Several competitions were held throughout the festival by both local organizations as well as businesses. Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers held its annual fantasy trivia contest, with owner Kenny Brechner posing “Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter” trivia questions to contestants.
The “Most Creative Strawberry Recipe” contest attracted several chefs with a wide variety of dishes and desserts. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle was raffled off by the Farmington Police Department in order to raise money for the Special Olympics.
Food for the event was prepared by several different organizations, with the Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association making its signature strawberry shortcake, and the Saint Luke’s Episcopalian Church of Wilton selling lobster roll bag lunches.
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