The 36th-annual National Strawberry Festival kicks off Friday afternoon in Belleville, with the midways at St. Anthony’s and Main Street starting on Thursday and running from 5 to 10 p.m.
There are coupons at merchants around town that will bring $3 in savings for the regularly $20 unlimited rides wristband.
There will be more than 70 juried crafters setting up their booths along Main Street and crafters chairperson Janet Millard reports there are some very nice pieces for sale this year.
There will be the usual strawberry confections, food and booths along Main Street and, on Saturday at 11 a.m., the Strawberry Festival Parade will wend its way from Belleville High School to the downtown and right through the middle of the booths on Main Street.
On Saturday, before the parade, the Belleville Rotary Club will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., this year at St. Anthony Church’s Recreation Building. Meals are $7 for adults and $6 for children under $10. Use the dollar-off coupon in today’s Independent for a reduced rate.
On Sunday, the 11th-annual Cinnamons’ Father’s Day Car Show will be held at Victory Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Anthony site
Besides all the activity in downtown Belleville, the area at St. Anthony Catholic Church will be a beehive of activity.
Special sit-down dinners (or carry outs) are set for this weekend under the direction of Joyce Rochowiak. On Saturday, 2-7 p.m., a charcoal grilled chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, and all the trimmings, is available for $10.
On Sunday, 1-6 p.m., a Polish dinner is available for $11. It features stuffed cabbage, pierogi (three types), kielbasa and sauerkraut, vegetable, salad, dessert and beverages.
The activities and events at St. Anthony’s will run from noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday hours from noon to 8 p.m.
The activities include a climbing wall, inflatables, baked goods, pony rides, petting zoo, Special Olympics Jail, and a big carnival midway.
There’s live entertainment at the Beer and Wine Tent, open 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
There also will be juried crafter exhibits and an array of Strawberry Extravaganza Desserts in the pole barn.
Sunday is Father’s Day and Polish Day at St. Anthony’s and from 2 to 6 p.m. “Pan” Franek, Zosia & the Polka Towners will be playing.
Trinity Episcopal site
At Trinity Episcopal Church at 11575 Belleville Road, just south of the I-94 South Service Drive, church members are presenting their restaurant full of hot and cold items.
They will have sloppy joes, hot dogs, nachos, potato chips, pop, coffee, ice tea, bottled water, strawberry smoothies, strawberry shortcakes, hot fudge sundaes, strawberry tarts, strawberry cheesecake and dipping strawberries.
Again this year Trinity will serve gluten-free strawberry bread and gluten-free strawberry shortcakes.
The craft area will feature jewelry, woodworking, garden accents, apparel and much more. There is free parking.
Guests are invited to try the “Strawberry Pie Express” by pulling into the parking lot, stopping in the designated area, and placing an order for strawberry delights from the bakery.
The bakery is featuring strawberry glazed pies, cheese cake, tarts, jam, and bread.
Trinity’s Strawberry Festival hours are 4-9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Belleville Presbyterian site
Belleville Presbyterian Church at 11900 Belleville Rd, also south of I-94, will offer juried crafters, food booths, strawberry treats, entertainment, and guided tours of the chapel — one of the original seven Mary-Martha chapels build by Henry and Clara Ford to honor their mothers.
Trolley Transportation
To make it easier for guests to get around to the various locations of the festival, the Wyandotte Trolley will be running a continuous loop from the Meijer parking lot in Van Buren Township to all the festival locations and back.
The free rides are from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Circus at the fairgrounds
While not a part of Strawberry Festival, a circus also is being held at the nearby Wayne County Fairgrounds, 10871 Quirk Road, with shows at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.