A Sweet Celebration: 10th Annual Strawberry Festival Recap

Rain or shine, the 10th Annual Strawberry Festival delivered a weekend full of fun, flavor, and community spirit that folks across Lawrence County won’t soon forget.

Held Friday and Saturday, May 2–3, the festival celebrated a major milestone — its 10th year — by debuting a new location at the Moulton Parks and Rec Center on Court Street. The move gave the festival more space to grow, and grow it did, with nearly 200 vendors setting up shop. From homemade candles and crafts to boutique clothing, face paint, food trucks, and booths from local organizations, clubs, churches, realtors, and roofers — it was a small-town marketplace dream.

Festival goers weathered the rain to get a taste of the festival’s food and fun.

Both days were packed with activities, from a wellness run and kids’ fishing derby to shuttle rides to LouAllen Farms for fresh strawberries, plus surprise open mic karaoke that uncovered some hidden local talent. Saturday’s highlights included a showcase from the Auburn University Raptor Center featuring Spirit, Auburn’s retired eagle mascot, and a beauty pageant that crowned this year’s local royalty.

LCtoday’s Kevin Cooper “interviews” Spirit.

Little Miss Strawberry Pageant contestants take the stage.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had plans of her own, with rain cutting Friday’s events short and putting a damper on most of Saturday — but the community’s spirit never wavered, as folks still showed up with umbrellas, ponchos, and smiles until the weather became too much to bear.

Once the skies cleared Saturday evening, the real show began. The Flashbacks took the rec center stage and put on a high-energy, two-hour concert covering hits from across the decades and across genres. The night closed out with a spectacular fireworks show by the pond, lighting up the sky and wrapping the weekend in a perfect (and very loud) bow.

The Flashbacks took the audience on a journey through music history.

While the rain did its best to slow things down, it couldn't dampen the joy, energy, and togetherness that make the Strawberry Festival what it is. In fact, with the new location, record vendor turnout, and exciting additions to the lineup, this may have been the best year yet — and we’re already looking forward to what year 11 will bring!

Check out our gallery of photos from this weekend’s festival below.