The Strawberry Festival was originally started by a group of volunteers to promote the local strawberry growers and get folks ready to pick berries the following week or so.

Year one, there were no local berries ready and outside resources were used instead. Year two, the strawberries ran out and more had to be purchased. Since then, the festival has relied on store bought berries to serve the thousands of people who come to enjoy strawberries and ice cream. Now the festival goes through about 5 skids (with 250 flats to a skid) of berries. That is a LOT of strawberries!

It took a few years to come up with the great carnival that supports the festival so well. Robertson Amusements has been with the festival for many years and they provide a well-priced, safe, family environment for our visitors. Their presence is very noticeable on the grounds as they wear bright coloured shirts with their company name.

The first year only saw a few hundred visitors come to check things out and all the ice cream and berries were hand scooped. Now, the ice cream comes in blocks that can be easily unwrapped and opened as required. One of our local trades-people came up with a conveyor system that helps get the berries washed and sliced. Thursday night is the night many community people get together, usually at the fire-hall, to chop the berries. It has become a very popular social evening for citizens of all ages.