Strawberry Festival

The Annual Strawberry Festival
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Windham

For more than a quarter of a century, the arrival of the Strawberry Moon has meant the Friends of the Library of Windham will hold their Annual Strawberry Festival and Book Fair. The Strawberry Festival is not only one of the largest community events in Windham each year, but it is also the primary fundraising event for the Nesmith Library. Thousands of citizens from Windham, and nearby towns, come together to celebrate community, purchase books, play games, listen to musicians, watch performers, have a bite to eat, enter raffles to win fantastic prizes, and, of course, enjoy delicious homemade strawberry shortcake.

Planning is now underway for the big day.  Please continue to check back in for more details regarding our book fair, games, entertainment, food, raffles, and booths.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennifer Simmons at  strawberryfestival@flowwindham.org

GAMES:
Once again this year game bracelets will be available for purchase -- $5.00 (children ages three and under) or $7.00 (children four and older) -- for this low price children can enjoy unlimited games and inflatables throughout the Festival. The games area will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Festival games are all new this year and will include: Strawberry Toss, Treasure Hunt, Lollipop Tree, Gone Fishin' and Hoopla. Inflatable adventures (located in the gymnasium) will include old favorites like Obstacle Course, Moonwalk, and Jousting.  Also new this year - Basketball, Speed Pitch, Hoverball and Inflatable T-Ball.  Most of the other games will be outside. 
For a nominal fee, children may head outside to get their faces painted, make sand art, participate in the Star Berry Hunt, and decorate reusable bags.
First Aid Services and our Mother's Quiet Room will join balloon animals inside Windham High School. All of the designs submitted by our young artists for our design contest will deck the halls of the High School Atrium.
Visit our outdoor Dunk Tank!  It’s sure to make a splash when our local “dunkees” take turns in the tank.  “Invited” dunkees include: Golden Brook teachers and administrators, Deb Armfield, Mike Hachey, Eric Graff, Allie Hills, and Katelyn Katsohis.  Not to be outdone, the Windham Center School is out in force with Principal Kori Becht, Assistant Principal Kathy Bates, and teachers, Rory O’Connor and Jane O’Keefe.  The Lion’s Club’s Zachary Brown and Recreation Committee member Dennis Senibaldi will also take the throne!

A complete schedule of dunkee names and times will be available at the Festival.  You never know who’ll be up for a dip and a dunk, especially if the day is a hot one!

ENTERTAINMENT:  
The Windham High School auditorium will be “strawberry jam” packed with entertainment throughout the day.  The Festival will open with a ceremony from the Boy Scouts of Troop 266 and local vocalist Emma Joanis singing our National Anthem. Performers throughout the day include: Breath of Sun – Jazzercise, Dance Impressions, Karate International, Dance Academy of Windham, Alex Romanov - Classical Guitar, Windham High School Dance Team, Happy Feet Dance School, Windham Actors Guild, Windham Swing Band, New England Gymnastics Training Center, and Professional Martial Arts Group.  F.L.O.W. Scholarship winners will be announced at 11:10, and raffles awarded at the end of the day.  The Boy Scouts of Troop 263 will conduct Closing Ceremonies, and the Festival will be emceed by AJ Music Entertainment. 

FOOD: Bring your appetite to the Windham High School cafeteria!  Enjoy a variety of culinary delights from local restaurants including: Cobbetts Pond Pizza, Gourmet Grille, the Lobster Tail, The Common Man Restaurant, and The Kitchen - Windham Junction.  It would not be the Strawberry Festival without homemade strawberry shortcakes for the adults and mini (make your own) sundaes or shortcakes for the kids.

Head outside for lawn seating as local celebrity chefs will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers at the “Chuck Wagon” Grills.  The Village Bean will also enjoy the sunshine blending up some yummy smoothies.  Glen’s Cone will be on the lawn and have tasty treats for the children including cotton candy, slushes, fried dough, and french fries. 
 
RAFFLES:
If you are feeling lucky, visit our outdoor raffle table where local businesses and organizations have generously donated a variety of prizes. There is something for every member of the family at the Raffles Table.

The Friends of the Library have their own membership raffle!  Re-new or initiate a F.L.O.W. Membership on or before the Festival and your name will automatically be placed in a drawing to win two Red Sox Tickets generously donated by the Dempsey Family!!  Not to be forgotten, visit the Windham Police as they raffle off a motorcycle.

BOOTHS:  
Look inside for the Windham Woman’s Club booth as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary of service in Windham. The Festival’s Partner Level Sponsors, Dr. Anne B. Filler, DMD, FAGD and Tim Barchard's Professional Martial Arts Academy will have demonstration booths outside in the sunshine along with Nesmith Library’s Summer Reading programs and the Library Trustees.