Strawberry Festival to feature specialty and bargain items ... and strawberries

A number of specialty items – ranging from tickets to the daytime television show, The View, to trips, works by well-known artists and gourmet dinners – will be among the items featured at the live and silent auctions at the annual Strawberry Festival on March 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crowninshield House and the Boca Grande Community Center grounds.

The Strawberry Festival is held annually by the United Methodist Women of the Lighthouse United Methodist Church on the island to raise money for women and children in need.

Along with the auctions, the event includes the popular Bargain Room where hundreds of “good deals” are available to the buying public. A specialty Boutique Shoppe offers one-of-a kind items at reasonable prices. Shell-themed craft items made by local artisans also are available. A “dazzling dig” for adults and children offers a chance to win lovely jewelry.

Strawberry shortcake with homemade biscuits, hot dogs and brats and bake sale delicacies are among the attractions of the festival, which was first held more than 20 years ago.

The live auction is back after a two-year hiatus, says Kathi Hustedt, 2013 Strawberry Festival chair. “We have some really unusual items, such as four tickets to the Emmy-winning daytime program, The View, packaged with a cast ‘meet and greet,’ dinner for four at the Palm and hotel accommodations, all in New York City.

Some of the island’s best cooks are also offering dinner packages and we have wonderful artwork.
In all, we will have 10 outstanding items for the live auction and nearly 50 unique silent auction offerings. We are very excited that generous donors have made these items available to the public as a way of benefitting many charities and making this a very fun event.

Jan Goetcheus (sitting) and Kay Rembold are shown with some of the articles that will be sold at the live and silent auctions at the United Methodist Women’s Strawberry Festival on Saturday, March 2.