Bolivar Strawberry Festival returns June 4-6

The annual Strawberry Festival will return to Bolivar June 4-6 with live entertainment, contests, carnival rides, food, vendors and family activities throughout the three-day event.

Entertainment will include live bands in two tents, the Miss Berry Princess and Little Miss Shortcake pageants, the Bolivar Main Street 250 crock auction, a strawberry-eating contest, a 5K run and a parade.

The Bolivar Main Street Association will auction a limited edition of numbered crocks Friday, June 5 during the Strawberry Festival. According to Bob Smith, president of BMSA, the crocks, which commemorate America's 250th birthday this year, will be auctioned off by Don Wallick at 7 p.m. in the brew tent.

"The 10 crocks are each sponsored by a local business with all proceeds being used to promote and support the local business community," Smith said.

Sponsors include Bolivar Metalworks Ltd., The Canal Street Diner, Lebold-Smith Funeral Home, Mary Locy & Associates, Towpath Tavern, Wallace Insurance, Ackerman Services Inc., Army Navy Club of Bolivar, The Commercial and Savings Bank and Eleet Cryogenics.

The crocks were handmade by Jane Donehue of Bluebird Pottery, which she operates from her home in Gnadenhutten.

The Strawberry Festival 5K and Seedling Scamper Fun Run will take place Saturday, June 6. The Seedling Scamper for children ages 10 and under begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9 a.m.

The 5K course is a flat, fast route that winds through the village, including portions of the industrial park and village streets and alleys. All finishers will receive medals, while Seedling Scamper participants will receive patches. Participants age 21 and older also will receive one complimentary beer.

Race-day registration and packet pickup begin at 7:30 a.m. Registration costs $35 through June 5 and $40 on race day. Participants may choose a unisex shirt in sizes extra small through 2XL or receive a $5 discount for opting out of a shirt. Shirt availability is first come, first served.

Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers and the top three male and female finishers in multiple age divisions.

For race registration and more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/OH/Bolivar/StrawberryFestival5kRunWalk.

Proceeds from the race benefit the BMSA and help support community events including the Strawberry Festival, Canal Street Cruise-In and Christmas on the Canal.

The Miss Berry Princess Pageant for girls ages 7-9 begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, followed by the Little Miss Shortcake Pageant for girls ages 4-6 at noon. The contests were open to Bolivar residents and Tusky Valley School students. Organizers said there will not be a queen pageant this year because of low participation in recent years.

The festival parade, known as the Firemen’s Parade, will be held Saturday, June 6 and feature ambulances, rescue vehicles, ladder trucks, pumpers, tankers, floats, antique vehicles, queens, princesses, dancers, twirlers and local bands.

Organizations, businesses, teams, clubs, employers and other groups interested in participating in the parade can register by visiting www.bolivarmainstreet.com/.../Parade-Entry-web.pdf.

There is no fee to participate in the parade.

Lineup begins at 12:30 p.m. at Fort Laurens Museum, 11067 Fort Laurens Road NW, Bolivar. The parade starts at 2 p.m.

The parade route will run north on state Route 212, or Park Avenue, from Fort Laurens, turn right on Poplar Street and end at Canal Street.

Visit www.bolivarmainstreet.com/strawberry-festival/ for more information including a complete list of vendors and the festival schedule.