By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
CRANBURY — For many area residents, the Strawberry Festival in Cranbury highlights the end of spring and the beginning of summer.
Hundreds of people gathered on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury on Saturday, June 6, to take delight in the festival, which featured children’s games, camaraderie and strawberry shortcakes. Money raised from the event goes into the Deacons Benevolence Fund.
“As you can see, it’s a real community event,” Pastor Lou Mitchell, who was attending the festival for the 16th time, said. “It’s also a way for the deacons to raise money for people in need.”
The Deacons Benevolence Fund is used in various ways, he said, such as to help someone in need to pay the rent or a utility bill. Some of the money raised also go toward Skeet’s Pantry, which operates out of the church and provides food to members of the community.
A lot of preparation goes into organizing the festival, which has been taking place since the 1960s, according to Jean Durham, one of the church deacons.
“We start in May with the advertising and then we have to order the strawberries and the ice cream,” she said.
This year, the deacons ordered $890 worth, or 36 flats, of Driscoll’s strawberries from California, she said.
The festival games such as the ring toss, bowling and the beanbag toss, all have to be assembled before the big day, which takes the help and hammering of the deacons and volunteers from the community.
“I can’t be more thankful for the people who help put all of this together,” Ms. Dunham said.
The highlight for her is seeing everyone come out and enjoy themselves.
“I love getting to see all of the people that come — family, friends,” she said. “I just saw a couple that I haven’t seen in about a month. It’s a neat, great thing.”
Rudy the clown entertained children with face-painting, balloon animals and other antics. The First Presbyterian Church Brass Band also treated those who attended to a variety of music throughout the event.
When asked about her favorite part of the festival, band director Pat Bohrs said, “The strawberries, of course.”
Mayor James Taylor said, “This is the quintessential small town, feel good event. This is what Cranbury is — everyone coming together — the volunteers, the firefighters, the police, the First Aid Squad — getting everyone to come out for a good time.”
The mayor, who has lived in the town since he was a child, said this was the 40th Strawberry Festival he attended. He was happy to have three generations of his family there embracing the tradition with him.
In New Jersey, strawberries can start to be harvested as early as May 20. They peak from June 1 through June 10 but can be harvested as late as June 25. Strawberries are currently available in Cranbury at Stults Farm on Cranbury Neck Road. The farm stand is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday.
For further information or to make a donation to the Deacons Benevolence Fund, contact the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury church office at 609-395-0897 or email [email protected].
