New chapter in ‘treasured’ Strawberry Festival

The Town of Stouffville and the Strawberry Festival Board of Directors are teaming up to host the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival, a signature community event for more than 40 years.

“Our shared responsibility model ensures that the Strawberry Festival will not only maintain its unique charm but also benefit from the resources and capabilities of the Town,” says Rob Braid, the Town’s Commissioner of Community Services. “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to preserving and enhancing this treasured community tradition.”

The partnership is designed to address challenges in volunteer recruitment and enhance the operational capacity of this “cherished tradition,” the Town reports. It will combine the resources and expertise of the Town with the “passion and dedication” of the festival’s Board of Directors, “ensuring the event continues to thrive for future generations,” it adds.

The Town will manage such operational aspects of the festival as entertainment, sponsorships, marketing, vendor coordination and technical production, while the Board will continue to oversee legacy events like the Pancake Breakfast, the Citizen and Sports Person of the Year awards, and the Sandra Stronach Red Berry Café.

“As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we are confident that this partnership will secure the festival’s legacy as a cornerstone of Stouffville’s summer events,” says Cornelia Hunter-Burns, President of the Strawberry Festival Board of Directors.

Through the new partnership, vendors and sponsors can look forward to opportunities for engagement, visibility and collaboration, the Town notes. The 2025 Strawberry Festival will run from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29. The grand finale will be Canada Day fireworks on Tuesday, July 1.

Photo: The 2025 Strawberry Festival will run from June 27 to June 29. The grand finale will be Canada Day fireworks on July 1. (Town of Stouffville photo)