Annual Strawberry Festival in Topsfield will feature berries, crafts and music

Cara Spilsbury

May 29, 2007 12:34 pm

— TOPSFIELD -- What's red and juicy and goes great with whipped cream or rhubarb?
If you answered strawberries, you'll be happy to know that the annual Strawberry Festival is right around the corner.
The event, in its 40th year, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, on the Topsfield Town Commons.
This year's festival will highlight the homemade crafts and home-baked goods that have made the event a summer-time staple in town, and will again benefit the Topsfield Historical Society, the festival organizers.
"It's just a great day," said Ann Savage, publicity chairman for the Historical Society. "It brings out everybody. It's a real family oriented event."
"It's really grown from a fundraiser for the Historical Society to a townwide event," said society president Norm Isler. "Norman Rockwell would be pleased to come and paint a picture of the Town Common."
Another anticipated part of the festival is the strawberry shortcake. The biscuits are freshly baked, the strawberries are ripe and the whipped cream is homemade.
"It's to die for," Savage said. "It's delicious, for breakfast or lunch."
More than 90 vendors will be set up in the common, offering an opportunity to snag some unique Christmas or birthday gifts, according to Isler. There will also be a quilt display in the Gould Barn and a karate demonstration.
Joining the crafters will be nonprofit organizations like the Council on Aging and the League of Women Voters. The Topsfield Town Library will also be getting in on the fun as they sell some of their older books for beyond bargain prices.
While festivalgoers peruse the wares and treats, they will also be entertained by some talented musicians. The 929 Banjo Club will bring their 13-piece harmonies to the common.
"They're perfect for a gazebo," Savage said. "They're an old time band that's perfect for a family event."
Following the 929ers will be the Masco Jazz Band and the Proctor School Jazz Band, who is making its first appearance at the festival.
"We're very excited to have them perform for us," Savage said of the budding elementary school musicians.
The festival is rain or shine, despite the drenching of last year's event.
"Last year it poured," Savage said. "We're hoping for much better weather this year."
The 2007 Strawberry Festival unfortunately marks the first year that Ruth Brandes will not be walking the Town Commons with her neighbors and friends. Brandes, who died in November at the age of 81, played an integral role in starting the very first Strawberry Festival and Savage was happy to credit her with its continued success.
"She was an icon in the Historical Society," Savage said. "She was real energetic, loved the town and loved history, and she thought this would be a great way to tie everything together."
The festival, Topsfield's moment to shine in the Tri-Towns, attracts many strawberry-lovers each year. The exact number is hard to count because admission is free, but last year organizers bought 38 gallons of cream, 420 quarts of berries, and 2,000 hot dog holders.
The Historical Society begins planning each year's Strawberry Festival the day after the event, beginning a year of coordinating and stress for the more than 30 volunteers involved. But the hard work always proves to be worth it in the end.
"It's a relief when it comes out well," Isler said. "I can breathe a sigh of relief when it's 10 a.m., the weather is good, and people are showing up."

Music at the event
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — The 929ers Banjo Band, gazebo
11:30 a.m. — Proctor School Jazz Band, Emerson Center
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Masconomet Jazz Band, gazebo

Staff writer Cara Spilsbury can be reached at 978-946-2230 or via e-mail at cspilsbury@towncrossings.com

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