Stacyville Strawberry Festival blossoms July 20-22

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    STACYVILLE — Strawberries will take center stage July 20-22 for the 12th annual Stacyville Strawberry Festival. Sponsored by the Sherman Area Memorial VFW Post 2299 and its Ladies Auxiliary of Stacyville, this year’s event promises an added focus on veterans and patriots.
    All events will take place at the VFW Post in Stacyville. For more information call 365-4832 or 538-6851.
    The complete schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, July 20
    9 a.m. to 4 p.m. —Flea market. Artists and vendors may set up on the VFW grounds. No percentage of sales will be required. Call for free space. People must bring their own tables.
    3 p.m. — Kids Cupcake and Adult Cupcake contests (see rules below).
    5 p.m. until gone — Pig roast. Cost by donations only.
    6 p.m. — Super raffle drawing. Cribbage Tournament starts. $5 entry. Adults only.
Saturday, July 21
    9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Flea market, artists, vendors continues (call for free space). Crusin’ In car exhibition at Stacyville Town Office lot (across road from VFW). For more information, call Tom McAvoy at 365-4613.
    11 a.m. — 3 p.m. — Hot Dog bus open.
    11 a.m. — Parade. Entries are encouraged to be decorated in any theme they choose. Enter a float, decorate a bike, anything goes. Line up at 10:45 at old Stacyville Elementary School lot. Call Allison at 538-6851 for more information. An auction will be held immediately after the parade. Call Wayne 365-4832, Bill 365-4259, or Allison 538-6851 to donate items.
    Noon-3 p.m. — Children’s games and pie eating contest, ages 5-15.
    5 p.m. until gone — Ham/bean supper with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Donations.
    6 p.m. — Super raffle drawing.
Sunday, July 22
    8 a.m. – 9 a.m. — Breakfast of sausage and pancakes. The cost is $5.
    9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Flea market, artists, vendors continues.
    9 a.m. — Horseshoe tournament, $10 entry. Pick of the draw. Cash prizes.
    11 a.m. — 3 p.m. — Hot dog bus opens.
    3 p.m.— 5 p.m. Live entertainment, featuring Allison and Peter Roy and Matt Lane.
    2:30 p.m. — Adult pie eating contest, ages 17-and-older.
    3:30 p.m.— Photo contest judging for kids and adults (see contest rules below)
    5 p.m. until gone — Chicken barbecue. Cost by donations.
    5:30 p.m. — Flag retirement ceremony. Bring worn flags for proper disposal.
    6 p.m. —Super raffle drawing.
     The following are rules for the various contests being offered during the festival.
    Children’s Cupcake Contest — Open to youths under the age of 16. Friday July 20, judging at 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. At least 12 cupcakes must be registered at VFW no later than 2 p.m. Friday, July 20. Cupcakes may be any flavor and will be judged on presentation. Cupcakes become property of the VFW after judging.
    Adult Cake Contest — Open to those age 16 and older. Friday July 20, judging at 3 p.m. First place receives $25 prize while second place receives free chicken barbecue meal on Sunday at 5 p.m. Cakes must be registered at VFW no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, July 20. Cakes may be any flavor and will be judged on taste and appearance by discriminating critics. Cakes must be equivalent in volume to at least one full size cake mix. Becomes property of VFW following judging.
    Photo contest — A first-place prize of $10 will be awarded  in each category for both kids and adults.
    Photos must be 4×6, 5×7, or 8×10 in black and white or color. Photos must be registered at VFW in Stacyville anytime on Friday, July 20, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Photos will be judged by People’s Choice all weekend by secret ballot. Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 22.
    Photos must be free standing in frame or on your own photo-display stand. Name, address and age must appear on back of photos. The contest is open to amateurs only. You must pick up your own photos.  The VFW will not be responsible for returning them.
    Categories include: Four Seasons, Down on the Farm, Wildlife/Family Pets. For more information on the photo contest call Janie Albert at 365-4259.