Popular West Virginia Strawberry Festival kicks off May 11

According to Festival Board President Shane Jenkins, volunteers, businesses and people in general get excited for the festival when the weather starts to warm up and people are heading back outside to enjoy themselves.

“We see and hear from so many people around this time of the year because they are so excited about the Strawberry Festival. This is not just a cultural event for all of us, it is an opportunity to bring people together to have fun and have experiences they normally wouldn’t have throughout the year,” Jenkins said.

He added that the economic impact for the region is significant and that may local shop owners and businesses gear up in anticipation of having thousands of people a day in Buckhannon for nine days.

From the opening ceremonies, to the grand feature parade, to nightly entertainment, the West Virginia Strawberry Festival

This year will see high-energy and well-known entertainers at the festival with Harrison County natives the Davisson Brothers Band opening up for Ashley Cooke. Cooke has a song out called “Your Place” that has reached the Country Top 25.

“This will be her first Strawberry Festival performance and we signed her last November. We have to plan several months in advance to get the really popular entertainers,” Jenkins said.

“Getting The Davisson Brothers to be in the festival took time and work. At first, I got a quote and thought there was no way we could afford them, but a few days later their booking agent reached out to me and said the number he sent was a typo. The number was still a bit high, but much more affordable,” Jenkins said.

“... They are high energy and incredible musicians. People will come from all over the state to see them because they only do a couple of shows in West Virginia a year. They are touring and recording all the time, so we are so happy to have them and I know they will get the crowd going,” Jenkins said.

One of the biggest changes to the festival schedule this year is the opening ceremony will not be held in front of the courthouse on Main Street. Instead, it will be held in Jawbone Park.

The festival’s itinerary is impressively diverse, featuring traditional favorites alongside exciting new additions. The Grand Feature Parade, a highlight of the festival, promises an array of colorful floats, marching bands, and dance troupes, all celebrating the strawberry in grand style. The Strawberry Queen and her court, selected for their community involvement and leadership, will preside over the festivities, embodying the festival’s values of community and tradition.

Culinary enthusiasts will revel in the Strawberry Culinary Competition, where chefs and amateurs alike showcase their most inventive strawberry dishes. Meanwhile, the Strawberry Market offers a chance to sample and purchase the freshest strawberries, along with an assortment of strawberry-themed goods, from jams and jellies to artisanal crafts.

For those seeking more dynamic entertainment, the festival does not disappoint. The Strawberry 5K Run, antique car show, and quilt exhibition cater to diverse interests, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Additionally, the festival proudly supports local talent, with stages throughout Buckhannon hosting live music, dance, and theater performances, spotlighting the rich artistic landscape of West Virginia.

Beyond the entertainment and culinary delights, the West Virginia Strawberry Festival stands as a testament to the power of community and tradition. It’s a time when residents and visitors alike come together to celebrate not just the strawberry, but the shared values and connections that bind them. As we look forward to the 2024 festival, we’re reminded of the simple joys that make life sweet – and there’s nothing sweeter than a strawberry in spring.