<< Entertainment >>

* REVIEW: 2010 Annual Belleville Strawberry Festival was an overwhelming success *

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. -- This year's Belleville Strawberry Festival returned to Main Street for the second year in a row, after being held behind the Belleville High School two years ago. It couldn't have been a better move with many new sponsors and vendor booths. Zantac, Zhu-niverse and Lunchables were first-time sponsors of the festival this year. The weather held up for most of the weekend except for some showers late Friday evening. However, Saturday and Sunday were mostly sunny with temperatures in the high 80's.

"We have a great children's area this year featuring Zhu Zhu Pets, Meijer's Virtual Playground and Kraft Lunchables," said Joan Bodnar, executive director of the Belleville Strawberry Festival. "We have every space filled this year so we've had good turnout for vendors. Better than we've had in the past. Sponsors have been great. I have brought in five new sponsors. It's been a great year for the festival."

The Travel Channel brought its popular Man v. Food competition to the Strawberry Festival. Attendees were able to participate in eating competitions during each hour of the festival. The winners received t-shirts that read "Man: 1, Food: 0" while the runner-ups took home shirts that read "Man: 0, Food: 1." It was a great way for attendees to get free food as well as compete for a prize. A large crowd gathered around that stage each hour.

Also new this year was the Lunchables kids area. Children were able to sample turkey subs and pizzas from the new Lunchables product line. Then, they had the opportunity to try climbing an inflatable rock climbing wall, pick an orange off a tree and go inside the school bus. The Nintendo DS kids area also kept kids entertained with its video games and action figures.

"We enjoy having events downtown," said Carol Thompson, administrator of the Belleville Downtown Development Authority. "It brings people to our beautiful downtown on the lake. A lot of people don't know that we're one of the only towns in Wayne County that is on a lake. We love to celebrate it and the Strawberry Festival is a great annual event to do that with. We look forward to seeing you back in Belleville all year long."

Zantac brought its "cool zone" area to the Strawberry Festival. Attendees were able to stand in front of a fan that was spraying water. People could also get their photo taken in the "beat the heat" area.

The best place to get strawberry treats was the Myrtle Lodge #87. Attendees could purchase the works for $4, which included a strawberry shortcake with lots of ice cream and whipped cream on top. It was much cheaper than some of the booths along Main Street.

There were many art booths at the festival. Artists sold paintings, sculptures, lawn ornaments and signs, wine art pieces, stepping stones and much more. Many of the artists have been coming to the festival for many years. They reported good sales over the three-day weekend.

"I paint with acrylic and I do have concrete leaves that you can use indoor or outdoor," said artist Sheri Chaffee from Belleville. "I'm ranging anywhere from $50 up to about $200. I sold about four pieces today [early on Friday]. That's not too bad. It's still early. This is my fourth year. I skipped one year when they put us out by the high school. I like being out by the street, you get more people."

Ford offered test drives of its new Fiesta subcompact car. The American version of the Fiesta is modeled after the European version. Product specialists said it is now available in dealer showrooms nationwide.

Original reports indicated the entertainment was canceled for this year's festival. However, after doing some walking around, I discovered the entertainment was being hosted at the three churches included in the festival. There was also some entertainment outside of the Frosty Boy ice cream shop. The Strawberry Idol contest took place on Sunday afternoon.

The Trinity Episcopal Church hosted a bakery, craft show and a restaurant during the festival. Creative bird houses, blankets, purses, doll clothes, paintings, kitchen towels and more were available for purchase.

"I've been here 20 years, I go every year to the Strawberry Festival," said Belleville resident Trish Jackson-McLendon. "It's a tradition. I love the food. I love the exercise, as far as walking. I love the vendors, just seeing people from all part of the area--Romulus, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti. We ate at the Bayou Grill, my girlfriend and I, Stacy. I had the catfish, red beans and rice to die for. I usually do the whole three-day thing. Each year, its better and better."

For more information, visit www.nationalstrawberryfest.com.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

A Strawberry Shortcake from the Myrtle Lodge #87, Yum!

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

A young boy pulls an orange off the tree at the Lunchables section of the festival.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The Travel Channel's "Man v. Food" eating competition

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Zhu-niverse kids area

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Zantac brought its "cool zone" to the Belleville Strawberry Festival.

 

[ Return to our Belleville Strawberry Festival index ]

 

Proud Sponsor of the Belleville Strawberry Festival