South Berwick Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Always the last Saturday in June, the South Berwick Strawberry Festival officially kicks off summer. The kids are out of school, camps are open and the weather is getting warm. All over town one can see the bright red, white, and green strawberry flags that not only line the main streets, but can also be seen flying from many houses.   The day is filled with food, entertainment, games, and crafts.

For thirty-two consecutive years hundreds of volunteers from South Berwick have come together to put together a South Berwick tradition. As always, official Festival activities will take place only on the grounds of Central School, on Main Street, in the center of town. A stop at the Strawberry Festival Information Booth is a must to find out more about the day’s schedule for the entertainers, as well as where all the various activities are located and to purchase strawberry festival memorabilia.

This year, the Strawberry Festival Committee is pleased to announce that they will serve their Strawberry Shortcake and Cheesecake on biodegradable bowls, plates and spoons.  We have collaborated with BIOSMART- a company that sells sugar cane Bagasse tableware.  Bagasse is the biomass remaining after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juices. 

Read below to get all the information and find out what to see, do, and how to get involved: (more…)

“A Sailor’s Life for Me!” takes place on May 17 (rain date of May 18), 11am to 3 pm. Admission is free for Historic New England members. Non-member admission for adults is $6 and children is $4. In recognition of Armed Forces Day, kids get in free when mom or dad shows their military identification card.

A day of fun for all ages will take place at the Hamilton House in South Berwick when Historic New England presents “A Sailor’s Life for Me!” children’s festival. Hamilton House, once the location of the town’s landing, has a rich history in maritime activity including shipbuilding and involvement in the East Indies trade. Families are invited to learn about maritime history by exploring the site in search of remains of the old wharf and seeing the house Jonathan Hamilton was able to build through the wealth he accumulated as a privateer and merchant in the late 1800s. Children will enjoy craft activities including scrimshaw carving using soap, making sailor’s valentines, and knot tying. Musician and maritime interpreter Dave Peloquin will entertain with sea chanteys and cooper Ron Raiselis will demonstrate barrel making. Food will be sold on site by The Catered Event.

Hamilton House is located on Vaughan’s Lane, adjacent to Vaughn Woods, a mile off Route 236 in South Berwick. For more information contact the South Berwick Office of Historic New England at (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.