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* PREVIEW: 34th Annual Belleville Strawberry Festival returns, June 18 - 20 *

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Hundreds of people along Main Street during the 2009 Belleville Strawberry Festival.

by Jason Rzucidlo americajr@americajr.com

BELLEVILLE, Mich. -- Lots of fun and excitement are planned for the 2010 Belleville Strawberry Festival, which takes place over the Father's Day weekend celebration. The festival will be held along Main Street this year. It was held behind Belleville High School two years ago. Many of the festival favorites are scheduled to return this year including the parade and the Cinnamon Father's Day Car Show.

The festival was created in 1976 by a local farmer who wanted to promote strawberries. Each year, an estimated 200,000 visitors attend this festival. It also raises money for local community organizations.

There will be lots of food including strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake and strawberry jam. In addition, there will be two carnival midways, a children's play area with interactive games, craft exhibits, a car show and much more.

Most of the activities including carnival rides and vendor booths will be located along Main Street. Other events will be held at St. Anthony's Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Belleville Presbyterian Church and Victory Park. Hours are Noon to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. (Click here for more information on the festival locations.)

New additions for this year include the Meijer Mobile Virtual Playground with Nintendo Wii games, HP photo creations and product samplings. The Lunchables Mobile Tour will be making a stop at the festival with a climbing wall and food sampling. Zhu Zhu Pets will appear at the festival with inflatable habitat trails and a character generator. Attendees will be able to meet Adam Richmn, star of Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food," by standing in front of a green screen for a photo. Also look for the Kung Zhu Training Grounds and the Rock Star Stage for more fun and excitement.

"We've worked hard," Belleville Strawberry Festival Executive Director Joan Bodnar told The Belleville View. She has responded to input from local residents and businesses to make this year's festival bigger and better than last year.

The annual parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Fire departments from Belleville, Van Buren, Sumpter Twp. and Augusta Twp. will be in it. The BHS marching band, clowns, acrobats, floats, motorcades and musical entertainment will perform during the parade. Join over 30,000 people to watch this exciting parade.

Ford Motor Co. is bringing back its ride-and-drive activity to the festival. This year, the automaker is allowing attendees to get behind the wheel of the new 2011 Ford Fiesta. All participants are required to sign a release form before driving.

The 9th Annual Cinnamon's Father's Day Car Show will take place on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Victory Park. (Click here for more information on Berry Special Events.)

The annual pancake breakfast will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Belleville High School cafeteria.

The main difference from last year is there will be no musical entertainment this year. However, the Strawberry Idol competition will take place beginning on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Frosty Boy stage. (Click here for more information on the Strawberry Idol competition.)

The Princess Laura Riverboat is featuring a dinner cruise on Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be 30-minute rides offered from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adults are $6.40 and children under 12 are $2.50.

Take a free shuttle from the Meijer parking lot on Belleville Road. It runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The train will run in a continuous loop around the festival.

There is FREE admission as usual. No pets, skateboards, roller blades and bikes at the festival.

AmericaJR.com is a proud sponsor of the 2010 Belleville Strawberry Festival. We hope you'll join us for a GREAT time...

For more information, visit www.nationalstrawberryfest.com.

 

FREE ADMISSION!!

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The strawberry tent in front of the Belleville Legion Hall in 2009.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The Ford Fiesta will once again be available for test drives.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

A strawberry shortcake from the Belleville Myrtle Lodge #89.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The Trinity Episcopal Church will host an art fair once again.

 

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