DIXFIELD — The Dixfield Congregational Church is hosting its annual Strawberry Festival from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 28, to raise money for future church functions, the Rev. John Gensel said Thursday afternoon.

The breakfast will last from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the menu featuring a variety of items, including Belgian waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, orange juice, coffee or tea. For an additional 50 cents, residents can receive bacon or sausage with their waffle.

Gensel said there would be baked goods and fresh strawberry shortcake with homemade shortcake biscuits, as well as fresh-picked strawberries available by the quart or pint.

“A lot of our church members go out and pick strawberries the day before the festival, so the strawberries we have for sale and cook with are as fresh as can be,” Gensel said.

Raffles will be drawn throughout the day, and a $25 cash door prize will be drawn at noon.

Gensel said that in years past, the church has used money from its fundraisers to help residents who require some type of support, whether it’s heating oil or transportation.

“We’re not really sure what we’re going to do for our next fundraisers,” Gensel said. “Normally, we try and do something to support people in the community who require assistance.”

The Strawberry Festival has become a popular event in the Dixfield area over the past several years, Gensel said.

“People really seem to love it,” Gensel said. “We get a lot of people coming in for the fresh food, and it’s become one of our biggest fundraising events of the year.”

The festival is organized by residents Dexter and Darlene Berry, who started it over ten years ago in an effort to bring residents together to have a good time.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com