April 25 is Cabot’s 13th Annual Strawberry Festival. The Cabot Strawberry Festival is a family-friendly event in Cabot, Ark., with a 5K run, beauty pageant, carnival and lots of strawberries.
The festival began as a way to bring funds into Cabot without having to request money from the federal government, and as a way to show off Cabot’s strawberries. As the festival began to grow, the Junior Auxiliary of Cabot started officially organizing it in 2009.
Melissa Davis, the public relations chairperson of the Junior Auxiliary of Cabot, has been working with the festival for two years. Davis said she looks forward to all that the event does to give back to the community.
“My favorite thing about Strawberry Festival is the reason for the event itself,” Davis said.”All proceeds from the weekend go back into our community to benefit primarily the children in Cabot.This is one of our largest finance projects, and with the money raised, we will be able to complete our service projects for the year including: Stock the Pantry, Reading First, Smile Program, Christmas Blessing and Child Welfare.”
A new addition to this year’s festival is the Run for the Berries 5K run. The run will take place on a certified course starting at the Cabot High School track at 8 a.m. Registration and packet pickup will be held at the high school track on race day beginning at 6:30 a.m., and medalswill be awarded for the top three in each age category for male and female participants. The awards will be presented following the race at the main stage of Strawberry Festival at the community center at 9:30 a.m.
Fresh strawberries will be available from Barnhill Orchards, Cabot Patch and Holland Bottom Farms. The Junior Auxiliary will be selling strawberry shortcakes and strawberry lemonade.
“It’s a great way to support our community and enjoy a day of live entertainment and outdoor activities,” Davis said
Admission is free but registration for the 5K and pageant are additional costs. Vendors open Saturday at 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The carnival will be open Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The beauty pageant will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. More information about the event and registration for the festival 5K can be found at www.juniorauxiliaryofcabot.com/strawberryfest.html.
