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* 2009 Belleville National Strawberry Festival was a huge success *

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Hundreds of people packed Main Street during the Strawberry Festival.

by Jason Rzucidlo americajr@americajr.com

BELLEVILLE, Mich. -- This year's Belleville National Strawberry Festival moved back to Main Street. It couldn't have been a better move with many new sponsors and vendor booths. Last year, the festival took place behind Belleville High School due to construction on Main Street. It was a little rainy on Friday afternoon. However, Saturday and Sunday were mostly sunny with temperatures in the high 80's.

Ford offered test drives of its new Fiesta subcompact car. The American version of the Fiesta will be modeled after the European version. Product specialists said it will be available in dealer showrooms at the beginning of Fall 2010.

"We're so glad to be back on Main Street where we have been for many consecutive years," said Joan Bodnar, Executive Director of the Belleville Strawberry Festival. "It has brought out many new vendors and sponsors by being back where we belong on Main Street."

There was lots of great entertainment at the festival. Local singers Sally Arredondo, Kaylin Pace and TJ Craven performed on the main stage. Additional stars that performed include TLT with Kelsey Rose and Shannon Salisbury, Boots in Motion, Lee Crites, Funkee Station, Tony Thompson, Teezer and Rachael Grace.

"Just out here enjoying the festival for the first time," said Mama Sandra Simmons of Detroit. "I'm kind of a crafter so I'm enjoying all the different crafts that they have out here. We just left one of the churches and went to their craft show. It's really nice. It's out first time out. It has a small town flavor. I think they should keep it out here on Main Street. I think it's nice to close it down. And then the businesses get an extra boost too because of all the extra traffic. With the way the economy is, I think it's a super great idea."

Hometown star Mizfit won the adult division of the Strawberry Idol contest. Holly Schaefer, a 16-year-old from Northville, won the teen division. Travis Arthur, a 12-year-old from Imlay City, won the junior division. Winners will receive two hours of recording tome at Talent Live Studios. Second and third place winners will receive one hour of recording time.

"First time we've been up at the show," said Richard Badame, a wood art vendor from Stuart, Fla. "What we're most known for is roller gliders that sit on a set of rollers and go back and forth. We have them in Florida in a lot of restaurants and things. They run anywhere from $500 to $2,500 depends on the large gliders to the small ones about $300. We tried to get here last year and our truck broke down on the way up. This is our first year here."

Erin Williams was crowned the 2009 Strawberry Queen on Friday night. Chelsey Keifer and Shakiyla Price were the runners up.

"We make needle-point work, croqueting, I do wedding gift boxes, angels," said Bertha Provost, an art vendor from Ypsilanti, Mich. "I can make just about anything anybody orders. It's fun, it's time that is well spent. People enjoy especially the gift boxes because people can re-use them. This will be my third year. I do other festivals like the Heritage Festival, Wiard's Orchards, stuff like that we do them all. We're hoping to be called to participate in the Ann Arbor fair."

Myrtle Lodge #89, located on Main Street, offered a child ID program on Friday during the festival. Children had the opportunity to create a package of information for their parents to keep just in case they got lost. This package could be given to the police to assist in locating them.

 

STRAWBERRY IDOL WINNERS ~ June 21, 2009 JUNIOR DIVISION (ages 12 & under) 1st Place: Travis Arthur, age 12 from Imlay City "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey 2nd Place: Kelsey Williamson from Wyandotte "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus 3rd Place: Mackenzie Bushey from Romulus "Hot 'n' Cold" by Katy Perry Honorable Mention: Kylee Doty of Clinton "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland TEEN DIVISION (ages 13 – 19) 1st Place: Holly Schaefer, age 16 from Northville "Our Song" by Taylor Swift 2nd Place: Rachael Grace "Wide Open Spaces" by The Dixie Chicks 3rd Place: Katey Argo from Belleville "I Was Country When" by Barbara Mandrell ADULT DIVISION (ages 20 & over) 1st Place: Mizfit "Butt Ugly" original by Mizfit 2nd Place: Marilyn Moltane "I Dreamed A Dream" from the play Les Miserables. 3rd Place: Jeff Weidner from Wyandotte "It's America" by Rodney Atkins Honorable Mention: Joan Remington from Westland "Country" by Carrie Underwood

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Kaylin Pace entertains the crowd on Friday afternoon.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Sally Arredondo performs Taylor Swift songs.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The all-new Ford Fiesta was on display at the festival and available for test drives.

 

Return to the Belleville Strawberry Festival index.

 

Proud Sponsor of the Belleville Strawberry Festival