Baldwin County Strawberry Festival
The Baldwin County Strawberry Festival is a much-anticipated local tradition held annually at Loxley Municipal Park. Every year, visitors arrive from all around the Southeast to enjoy the special events, car shows, pageants, music, crafts and, of course, the strawberry shortcakes! Whether you’re a festival veteran or first-timer, they invite you to join them for our 2018 event. Not only will you share a memorable experience with friends and family, but you will also help them raise funds for worthy causes right here in the community. Baldwin County Strawberry Festival is a local non-profit organization and all event proceeds stay local. Funds raised benefit Loxley Elementary School and the ARC Baldwin County, Inc. The Baldwin County Strawberry Festival began in 1987 as a result of a united effort between the ARC Baldwin County and the Loxley Elementary School. Over the years, it has grown from a few craft and food vendors to hosting over 180 arts and craft exhibitors, a dozen different food vendors, an exciting carnival, fun children’s games, an antique auto show, exhibits and live music. And, of course, strawberry shortcake is still king! In 1996, the festival date changed from the first Saturday in May to the present date, the second weekend in April.
The festival was originally held in downtown Loxley, but in 1999 moved to its present location at the Loxley Municipal Park. This grassy, spacious location has allowed the festival to grow expand to include many more activities that had been limited by other sites. It also permitted the festival to extend into a two day event (Saturday & Sunday). Each year, the festival raises over $48,000 for its two beneficiaries: Loxley Elementary School and the ARC Baldwin County. The festival has become one of the largest of its kind and is considered by many to be one of the best organized festivals in the area. In addition to the festival, the Little Miss Strawberry Beauty Pageant is held in March. The pageant is open to second grade girls attending Baldwin County public or private schools. The participants are judged on poise, appearance, and personality by a panel of three qualified adjudicators. Proceeds from the festival have helped both benefitting organizations to fund daily operations. Loxley Elementary School has used their funds to purchase computers for their classroom and library, to air condition their multi-purpose building and to upgrade their playground equipment. The ARC Baldwin County (ARCBC) has used its funds to open new residential homes and purchase the vans used at these homes.
The festival has been a great help to both organizations. Come out with your friends, families and neighbors to have a great time and support these community groups! One of the highlights of the Strawberry Festival each year is our Carnival. In the spirit of the traveling fair, the Strawberry Festival Carnival is open each day and features rides for all ages. It also offers exciting midway games like ring toss and balloon pop where prizes range from stuffed animals to goldfish! Games and rides can work up an appetite – they’ve got you covered with excellent food options. You’ll find fair favorites like funnel cakes and roasted corn. Tickets for the carnival are purchased on the festival grounds. Free Shuttle service is provided from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle picks up point is the Baldwin County Board of Education Building located at 1901 B Avenue, Loxley, Alabama. This shuttle brings you directly to the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival and is provided by Baldwin Regional Area Transit System.
