It’s summer time, and for residents of Leonard and surrounding communities, that can mean only one thing–it’s time for the 53 Annual Strawberry Festival.
All the fun begins with a Friday night kick-off dinner on July 15 catered by Isola’s Pizzaria.
Chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, Italian sandwiches, potato salad and pizza by the slice are on the menu, followed by a rousing karaoke contest at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m.
The day of the festival is filled with various activities any family would enjoy. The day begins with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Leonard United Methodist Church followed by ice cream sundaes served at the Fire Hall.
Strawberry bake-off entries must be turned in at Rowland Hall by 9 a.m. and will be judged at 10 a.m.
Aside from spectacular food and deserts, there will be arts and craft booths, train rides, pony rides by the Polly Ann Trail, a drum core demonstration with music by DJ Wayne Sutherby.
And who could forget the parade? Led by Grand Marshall Robert Smith, special persons Murial Paquette and Leonard Elementary’s new principal Joyce Brasington, the parade will begin at noon and will feature decorated bikes, floats, antique cars, horses and clowns.
The fun continues with obstacle courses and a giant moonwalk at 1 p.m.. as well as country games, like egg on the spoon and shoe toss, and magic shows at 2:30 p.m.
The Mid Town Junction blues and jazz band will perform from 5-7 p.m, followed by a street dance with music performed by Galaxy Entertainment until 11 p.m.
The entertainment and most games during the festival are free, however there will be charges for the pony rides, train rides, etc.
Sandra Walendzik, an organizer for the event and on the Leonard Summer Festival Committee, said the festival started out as a ice cream sundae fund-raiser for the Addison Township Fire Fighters.
‘We started adding entertainment and arts and crafts and make it a more fair-like atmosphere,? she said.
Walendzik said about 3,000 people usually show up and hopes that the weather will be nice like it has in the past.
‘We hope to see lots of people there,? she said. For more information on the Strawberry Festival, visit www.strawberryfest.netfirms.com.