MARYSVILLE, Wash., June 22, 2022 – After two years of pandemic challenges, Marysville’s annual Strawberry Festival came back in full swing this year. The festival is a week-long, family-oriented celebration that includes a market, carnival, and parade. A Marysville tradition since 1932, the Strawberry Festival has been bringing communities from all over the county together for nearly 90 years.
“It’s one of our larger crowds. There’s several thousand people out tonight,” said Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring during Saturday’s Grand Parade.
In addition to the large turnout, Mayor Nehring noted the heightened energy among the crowd. “This one’s really special, I think because we’ve had two years with no Strawberry Festival, and so, I know I’ve been hearing from people they are so excited. Every event in regards to this Strawberry Festival has been really exciting.”
Just a few blocks away from the parade on State Ave, the festival’s market at Asbery Athletic Fields was in full bloom. The market’s co-chair, Veronica Hamblin, says that vendors from all over the county, and even some from out of state, come to take part in the festivities every year.
“I look forward to visiting with the vendors ‘cause some of them become friends,” says Hamblin. Hamblin has been coming to the festival ever since she was a teenager and even managed to ride a float when she was young.
According to Hamblin, the festival was growing with each year until Covid. “When Covid hit, it was gone for two years. But the berries are back, so we’re here.”
In addition to the market, carnival, and parade, this year’s festival hosted a golf tournament, fashion show, trike race, rose planting, combat pro wrestling tournament, strawberry shortcake eating contest, and a ‘Berry Run’ race.
Marysville’s Strawberry Festival is sponsored by various entities, including the City of Marysville, Tulalip Resort Casino, Marysville Fire Department, Marysville School District, Crystal Lodge #122 of Masons, and more.
Author: Bo John Brusco
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