Strawberries and everything strawberries will be on center stage in Rosedale this weekend for the annual Rosedale Strawberry Festival.
The festivities kickoff Friday and continue through Sunday with a bevy of events, including a parade, a strawberry shortcake eating contest, parades, pageants and much more, according to event organizer Sarah Cottrell.
"It brings people out of their house and into the streets and they can see people they haven't seen in years. It is a community event that allows people to have a good time, kids smiling and enjoy life in small town. It is nice to live in a town where we can do that," Cottrell told The Parke County Post.
The festivities will be based out of the Florida Township Civic Club, 49 E. Central Street, Rosedale and start 5 p.m. June 6 with the festival and vendors opening. Friday features a lasagna dinner with the American Legion, the Queen and Princess Pageant at 6;45 p.m., the beer and wine garden open to the public, live music by Mullet Over and a foam party at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, the festival opens at 9 a.m. and features the baby pageant, Mini Mr. and Miss, Lil' Miss, a tractor show, a strawberry bake off, talent show, parade at 3 p.m., beer and wine garden, entertainment, live music by Jenna Rose and the Ramblers and the Jonah Fish Fry, which benefits the Methodist Church.
Sunday's festivities open at 10 a.m.The pet parade will begin at 11 a.m., the car and bike show is slated for noon, as is live music by Crossroads Stringband and the strawberry eating contest will be held at 2 p.m.
"It is free to get in and free parking, and we keep everything priced reasonably. It is a small town and we want to keep it a small town feel. It is a good time. People should come out to eat the strawberry shortcake and run into friends you haven't seen in years. It is a good time," Cottrell said.
Over the last five years that she has spearheaded the event, Cottrell said she has seen the event grow significantly.
"We have a lot more volunteers because it has grown in size. It fills the streets. We have vendors in four lots, plus inside the civic center. Every year we get more vendors and some are from out of state. Very rarely do people wait until 5 p.m. on Friday to come. All the strawberry shortcakes are home made. We make enough for about 3,800 servings," she said.
Cottrell said the festival would not happen without the work of all her volunteers.
"It takes a lot of volunteers, and these are all people in the community. Not all live in Rosedale, as some live in Vigo and Vermillion counties, but they all come together to help put this event together. They form friendships they didn't know they would have," Cottrell said.
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