By Adam Pack
The 2022 Alderson Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, May 28, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Entry to the festival will be free, so come out and enjoy family friendly fun, shopping, food, games, and of course all things strawberry.
The festival was started in 2016 by Alderson Main Street, in partnership with Sunset Berry Farm, located just four miles from Alderson and known for growing the sweetest strawberries in the state.
Much of the festival takes place on the pedestrian bridge spanning across the beautiful Greenbrier River. There will be plenty to do on both sides of the bridge so be sure to visit both Greenbrier and Monroe Counties to enjoy the complete festival. Stop by The Depot to hear live music from, Swinging with Sinatra, Chris Hopson, Thomas Taylor Band, and more.
Attendees can take the short four mile trip to the 2+ acre strawberry patch at Sunset Berry Farm to pick your own strawberries, ride the bucking cow barrel train, play on the largest jump pad in the state, do a scavenger hunt in the fairy garden, test your skills at paintball target shooting and find your way through the cover crop maze! There will also be a petting zoo, strawberry treats, kid’s activities, vendors, and music. There will also be pony rides at two different locations, as the WV Renaissance Festival will be giving pony rides in Alderson and Reining Warriors will be giving pony rides at Sunset Berry Farm. After all this excitement, festival goers can quench their thirst with freshly made lemonade from Appalachian Lemonade, as well.
Vendors and donations are still being accepted and are encouraged to find Alderson Strawberry Festival on Facebook for further details.
An itinerary of events reads as follows:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Market on the Bridge
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Strawberry Themed Entrees
10 a.m. – Swinging with Sinatra
12 p.m. – Chris Hopson
2 p.m. – Thomas Taylor Band
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunset Berry Farm; petting zoo, strawberries, jump pad, paintball, bucking cow barrel ride, fairy garden, scavenger hunt, and more.
Festivities will conclude Monday morning at 10 a.m. with a rededication of the memorial and field at Alderson Memorial Field by members of the Alderson VFW. The Memorial is dedicated to those who gave their lives in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The VFW encourages the public to come pay their respects.