Festival Recognizes City's Strawberry History

COURTESY OF ANDERSON BETTERMENT CLUB The design for Berry Festival T-shirts was based on an label of the old strawberry association.
COURTESY OF ANDERSON BETTERMENT CLUB The design for Berry Festival T-shirts was based on an label of the old strawberry association.

Two popular community events have been combined to form the Anderson Berries and BBQ Festival to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Dabbs Greer Town Hole Park in Anderson.

The Anderson Betterment Club began its celebration honoring the rich history of the city's strawberry industry in 2013. The 2015 version will be paired with the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce's barbecue contest (formerly known as Smoke on the Water) to create the Anderson Berries and BBQ Festival.

The location at Dabbs Greer Town Hole Park is a move of the berry festival from Main Street that was its home the first two years of the celebration, according to Ken Schutten, president of the Anderson Betterment Club.

"I think moving the location will be a great thing," Schutten said. "Town Hole Park will work well. It will be a great location for the vendors and for those attending."

Schutten said there are several new vendors planning on attending this year, including some that will have games for kids and others that will be serving food for adults and kids.

Special Events

The berry festival includes several special events. Those kick off at 9:30 a.m. with the Donut Eating Contest. Cost for entering is $5. Schutten said donut contestants are needed. Donuts will be provided by Poppy's Daylight Donuts.

At 10 a.m., the Little Miss Strawberry Pageant will be held. Contests will be held for four different age groups.

From noon to 2 p.m. will feature live music from students from the Conservatory of the Ozarks.

Also new for the festival this year, is the chamber's duck race which will be held at 3:30 p.m. First place is worth $200 and gift certificates from area businesses will be presented to places two through 20. Duck tickets will be available the day of the event.

Strawberries And More

Schutten said one thing he is excited about this year is that locally grown strawberries will be available for sale.

"There will be a limited supply so you had better get here early," Schutten said. "I believe there will be some of the varieties that used to be grown here."

Schutten said also for sale will be a T-shirt with a special design.

"It features a label from the old strawberry association," he said. "It's a label that not many people have seen."

He said their will also be historic postcards and strawberry plants for sale.

Backyard Barbecue

Cookers are needed for the barbecue contest. Entry fee is $25. Each participant must bring five pounds of meat for each of the two (beef and pork) categories entered. The winner of each category receives $200. Judging for the contest begins at 2:30 p.m.

Berry Glow

The strawberry festival actually begins Friday night with the Berry Glow 5K Nite Run at Anderson City Hall. The run begins at 9 p.m. with registration at 8 p.m.

"People are excited about the night run," Schutten said. "It's growing this year. I think we will have a a lot of people."

Entry forms for any of the events can be picked up at Poppy's Daylight Donuts or Rags to Riches Flea Market on Main Street in Anderson. You can also find forms at www.andersonbetterment.org or call Schutten at 417-845-6939 for more information.

Other Happenings

In addition to the Berries and BBQ Festival, the Anderson Citywide Garage Sale is set for Saturday. Also a car show and cruise-in will be held on Main Street. There is no registration required or entry fee for the car show.

Main Street will be closed from Jefferson Street to the Post Office.

"I think the festival is getting bigger and better every year," Schutten said. "I am excited. This is a great event that recognizes a piece of the city's history and provides entertainment and some great food."

Community on 05/14/2015