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The festival kicked off with a funk-o-rhythmic parade fired up by the Lowe’s Grove Drum Line and Dancers, leading a crowd from the Durham Farmers’ Market up Foster Street to the festival. Chuck Davis led us in the Strawberry Dance with the TROSA Band — who could resist joining in?  

Live music throughout the day showcased Durham's talented youth and grownups too.  The Lasting Happiness started us off with feel-good retro rock and some awesome costumes. CPSC student Ian Campbell and Megafaun’s Phil Cook were next, followed by apocalyptic lovelorn folk from Christy Smith / The Tender Fruit.

The afternoon kicked into high gear with the Bull City’s dynamic rope skipping team, the Bouncing Bulldogs, and spirited Hispanic dances performed by adults and kids from Takiri Academy. “Agreeably loud” kids’ rockers Baron Von Rumblebuss took the stage next, followed by a short set from CPSC parent and jazz singer Jackie Thomas with pianist Mark Wells. The electrifying Dance Company from Durham School of the Arts ended the day.

Child-centered fun makes this festival an annual destination for many families. This year was no exception! New activities this year included Kite-Making, Spin Art, and the Cupcake Walk. The Face Painting and Strawberry Nails booths were busy all day long, and the Obstacle Course was extra-fun this year with the addition of a slip-and-slide area. Younger festival-goers enjoyed splashing at our Bubbles booth and planting seeds all by themselves. A special treat was touring a TV news truck and various emergency vehicles including fire trucks, police cars and motorcycles, and getting to meet “K9” members of the Durham Police Department.

Festival-goers raved about our trademark Strawberry Shortcakes with cakes made for us by Guglhupf Bakery. Family-friendly lunch fare included Pie Pushers pizza, burgers and veggie-burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs and PBJ sandwiches. Smoothies, strawberry lemonade, tangy pickles, popcorn, gourmet chocolate-dipped strawberries and peppermint lemons kept everyone satisfied throughout the day.

Strawberry Festival proceeds go toward the transformation of Old North Durham Park, a community urban oasis for playing and learning. This collaboration between the school, the city of Durham and local businesses is a powerful force in the continued revitalization of downtown Durham. The Festival is run solely by volunteers from the school and community, and is made possible by the generosity of residents, school families and local businesses.  Play equipment, trees and other improvements have been donated to the park using proceeds from past Strawberry Festivals.  Future improvements for the park are under exploration.

«This unique climbing structure, the only one of its kind in Durham, was purchased with Strawberry Festival proceeds and donated to the City.
Photo by Judy Compton.

For more information on plans and how you can be a part of it, call the school at 682-1200.