Sweeten Up Summer

The Rotary Club of Coatesville’s Strawberry Festival

By: Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer

Markyour calendars so you won’t forget the new dates for the 51st annual Rotary Club of Coatesville Strawberry Festival. For 2023 and going forward the fun community event is moving from its traditional time to the final week of July.

Catch all your favorite Strawberry Festival activities this year on Wednesday July 26 and Thursday, July 27 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, July 28 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, July 29 from noon to 11 p.m. The schedule change is to avoid conflicts with high school graduations, proms and other seasonal activities.

The site for the Strawberry Festival continues to be the former Brandywine Hospital grounds at 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville. Formerly a partnership between the hospital and the Coatesville Rotary Club, the event is now run by the Rotary with Greg Krajewski and Michael Givler sharing the honors as co-chairs.

“Last year was a big change for us,” Krajewski said.

Founded 53 years ago, the Rotary Club of Coatesville Strawberry Festival has been something for the community to look forward to and enjoy. Just after the Rotary took over control of the event in 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021. Last year the festival returned to overwhelming community support.

“It was overwhelmingly attended,” Krajewski said. “It was something the public was really looking forward to.”

While the festival has seen some changes, other favorite features continue to be highlights, beginning with the strawberries and the ever-popular Strawberry Shortcake.

The amusement rides with fun for young and old are back with contactless ticketing, and promotional vendors and crafters will be offering a wide variety of items. As always there will be a huge selection of food and drink options available at the International Food Concourse.

There are three stages for continuous entertainment options. The Performing Arts Stage is the perfect setting for group performances from local organizations such as dance troupes, karate schools and others. The Café Stage is a more intimate venue for soloists and small ensembles to perform, while the Main Stage supports the sounds of bigger groups and bands.

All performers on stage are volunteers, which leads to a variety of musical styles that offer something for every taste. You are likely to hear anything from jazz to country to rock, and of course one Main Stage attraction will be the Lukens Steel Band.

Volunteers are an important part of event. Anyone who would like to give time and energy to make the Rotary Club of Coatesville Strawberry festival a success can find information and a link to volunteer on the website at https:// www.coatesvillerotarystrawberryfestival.com/. This is also the site to find links to apply as a vendor or entertainer. There is also a link for individuals, businesses and organizations to become sponsors for this important community event. Sponsorships are available at all levels from $250 to $10,000 or more if you wish.

This year’s presenting sponsor is Citadel Federal Credit Union.

“Citadel Credit Union is proud to sponsor the Strawberry Festival for another year. This beloved family-friendly event represents a celebration of the Coatesville community, which will always be important to Citadel. We are thrilled to see how much the event has grown and the critical funds raised that give more opportunity to the young people of Coatesville,” said Abigail Brooks, spokesperson for Citadel FCU.

Additional sponsors at time of publication also include Jennifer and Bob McNeil sponsoring the midway and fireworks, as well as Strawberry Shortcake sponsor, Freedom Village at Brandywine.

Krajewski has worked with the Rotary Club’s festival committee for about 25 years and is looking forward to another great year for the Strawberry Festival. “We hope to have the same support of the community this year,” he said. “It’s definitely a family-oriented event. There are lots of attrac- tions, food and plenty of things for young kids too.”

The Rotary Club of Coatesville has been an integral part of the community since 1924. “We have been serving the residents of the Coatesville area through numerous projects and funding,” said Alissa Griffith, Rotary Club of Coatesville president. “The Rotary Club of Coatesville was honored to award directly to Coatesville area non-profit organizations $97, 500. We are excited for the opportunity to exceed last year’s goal and look forward to seeing everyone in July.”

For more information visit the website at https://www. coatesvillerotarystrawberryfestival.com/