By Kayce Patton
This year will mark the 39th annual St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Strawberry Festival.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 17, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 18.
Lori Schoening has been involved for the past 15 years and is in charge of the event with Nancy Allen.
Schoening said each year, they prepare for approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people for the one-day event on the downtown Noblesville square. This year, however, the festival has added a second day, and those running the festival are prepared for a crowd of approximately 3,500.
Schoening said the second day was added to attract a lunchtime crowd from the square that may otherwise miss the festival.
Parishioners make approximately 12 homemade shortcakes each, and the rest of the food is ordered from a local food vendor.
This year Schoening said she ordered 41 tubs of strawberries and 45 tubs of ice cream for the strawberry shortcakes made up of a slice of shortcake, scoop of strawberries and scoop of ice cream, topped with whipped cream.
Tickets for the dessert will be sold for $7 at the festival and presold for $5 at the church, 444 S. Harbour Dr., Noblesville. Those interested in purchasing ahead of time can call the church. To-go strawberry shortcakes will also be available at the event.
The Strawberry Festival is the primary outreach fundraiser for the church, Schoening said. Funds in the past have gone towards building a well in Haiti, providing food for the White River Christian Church Food Pantry and a back-to-school backpack program.
Other features of the festival include the Noblesville Fire Dept. bringing a truck at 11:30 a.m., a visit from Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear, live music by Anderson and Beck from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and interpreters from Connor Prairie.
For more, visit stmichaelsepiscopalchurch.org/strawberry-festival.
