GREENFIELD — First Presbyterian Church will serve up strawberries, shortcake, ice cream and music June 1 at the 35th annual Strawberry Festival.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. outside the church, 116 W. South St. Various musicians provide live entertainment.
“This event is how we raise our mission funds to support our community and its needs,” the Rev. Ann Noland, the church’s pastor, wrote in an email to the Daily Reporter. “All money raised is given back to the community.”
Tickets are $3 in advance and $4 at the event. Tickets are available at the church, from church members, and at McCleerey’s Sorting Goods and Ye Olde Head Shoppe.
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Organizers estimate that $50,000 to $75,000 has been given away since the festival began.
The work has continued even as some members have died or moved away and a smaller number of people is available to bake shortcake and serve at the event. Earlier this year the church had a series of meetings with different organizations in the community, hoping to form partnerships that would help it move forward, such as renting meeting space to groups.
The Tri Kappa chapter that meets at the church has offered some volunteers for this year’s festival, according to a church newsletter.
Noland said the meetings the church had with groups have started some conversations around possible partnerships. “These are still in the preliminary stages, but we believe the Holy Spirit is moving among us,” she wrote.
“We thank everyone for their continued support of the strawberry.”
