(Posted June 12, 2019)
The 2019 London Strawberry Festival will take place June 20-22 on and around Main Street in downtown London.
The Strawberry Shortcake Tent will be open daily, selling generous portions of shortcake topped with strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream.
Thursday, June 20
10:30 a.m.-noon—Contest registration and check-in at the information booth: toy building, window/house/yard decorating, stories and poetry, coloring, art, fairy gardens, photogenic, cake and cookie decorating, accessory decorating, mandela and zentangle
11 a.m.—Opening ceremony and all vendors open; National Anthem
11:15 a.m.—Stage practice for Shortcakes, Little and Young, Junior and Miss pageant contestants
12-8 p.m.–Sports Heros autographs
4-10 p.m.–Beer tent open
6:20 p.m.–Shortcake, Little Miss and Young Miss contests, main stage
7 p.m.—Junior and Miss contests, main stage
End of pageant–Photogenic and pageant winners announced
7-9 p.m.–Check-in for contests (same list as at 10:30 a.m.) at information booth
10:30 p.m.–Festival closes
Friday, June 21
11 a.m.—Festival and all vendors open
12-8 p.m.–Sports Heros autographs
4-10 p.m.–Beer tent open
5:30 p.m.–Sighless Sunday performs, main stage
6:30-8:30 p.m.—Car show
6:45-7:45 p.m.–Prince and princess party, 61 S. Main St.
7-8 p.m.–Contest check-ins (strawberry food, coloring, toy building, etc.) at Revive Baptist Church, 61 S. Main St.
8-8:15 p.m.—Food contest judging
8:30 p.m.—Wheelhouse performs, main stage
10:30 p.m.—Festival closes
Saturday, June 22
8:45-9 a.m.–Baby contest check-in, main stage
9 a.m.—Festival and all vendors open
9 a.m.—Baby contest (photos immediately following), main stage
9 a.m.-1 p.m.—Young Eagles Rally, (free plane rides for ages 17 and younger), Madison County Airport
9-9:30 a.m.–COBRA car parade into London
10 a.m.-10 p.m.–Beer tent
10 a.m.-3 p.m.—London AC COBRA car show and burnout rides to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, courthouse square
11-8 p.m.–Sports Heros autographs
12 p.m.–Second Chance band, main stage
12-4 p.m.–Ride special
1:30-3:30 p.m.—Festival queens luncheon, Vineyard Baptist Church
3 p.m.–Second Story Anthem performs, main stage
4 p.m.—Parade line-up, Cowling Park
5 p.m.—Grand parade followed by festival introductions and crowning of the 2019 queen at the main stage; grand marshal recognized; contest and parade awards announced
7 p.m.—50/50 raffle winner announced
8 p.m.–Dallas band performs, main stage
11 p.m.—Rides and festival closes
For festival details, including contest rules and entry forms, go to www.londonstrawberryfestival.com.
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So many contests to try at festival
The Strawberry Festival is sponsoring several contests. Most are open to all ages. Go to www.londonstrawberryfestival.com for rules, registration info, and project check-in times.
Fairy gardens
Make your own fairy garden using store-bought or homemade materials. Open to all ages. Winners receive ribbons.
Art and photography
Open to all ages, this contest includes amateur and professional divisions, as well as a separate photography category. All types of media are welcome. Entrants are encouraged to incorporate a strawberry theme into their art. Winners will receive ribbons.
Coloring
Coloring sheets are available on the festival website. Color the sheet at home and bring it to the festival. Winners will receive ribbons.
Poetry and story writing
Open to all ages, this contest welcomes original poetry and stories based on a strawberry theme. Entries must be typed or neatly printed. Entries may be used in future publications.
Photogenic
Submit a 5×7 or 8×10 photo of yourself or your child. Submissions can be elegant, portrait or cute kid photos. All ages are welcome. The entry fee is $5 per photo. Submissions are due by noon on Thursday. All entries will be displayed in a local business during the festival. Winners receive a sash, free photo session with Elegance Photography, and a free 8×10 photo. They also will be invited to participate in the parade on Saturday.
Strawberry food
All ages are invited to enter. Items must include at least one of the following: fresh or frozen strawberries, strawberry flavoring, or strawberry jam, jelly or preserves. Recipes must be included and become property of the Strawberry Festival. Recipes might be published in a festival cookbook at a later date.
Cake and cookie decorating
Enter decorated cakes and cookies using a strawberry theme. Include an outline of how the decorating was done and what materials were used.
Toy building
All ages are invited to get creative with building sets, such as LEGOs or Lincoln Logs. Place your creation on a sturdy board for transport. Creations will be displayed during the festival at a local business.
Strawberry accessories
Make your own accessories–shoes, hats, umbrellas, jewelry, belts, scarves–using a strawberry theme. Winners receive ribbons.
Window, house, yard decorating
Decorate your home, business window, or yard using a strawberry theme, then submit a photo. The top three entrants receive certificates, and their photos will be posted on the festival website.
