Strawberry Fest celebrates Albion community
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A crowd of people watches the Albion ladder truck go down Main Street during Saturday’s parade for the Albion Strawberry Festival.
The parade brought out thousands of people along East Avenue and Main Street.
The two-day Albion Strawberry Festival has been a community celebration since 1986, with lots of food, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and the big parade.
The Damascus Shriners Mini-Cars were back in the parade after their debut last year and they were a clear crowd favorite.
Annette Finch served as the parade’s grand marshal. She worked more than 40 years at Community Action, assisting people in crisis situations. She also has been a very active volunteer in Albion’s recreation programs.
The Albion Betterment Committee had a float with Santa, and Natasha Wasuck, an ABC board member, was a reindeer. The Betterment Committee is working to develop a Santa museum on Main Street.
The Albion marching band performed patriotic music in tribute to the country’s 250th anniversary. Several marching bands were in the parade.
The Albion Betterment Committee had a float with Santa, and Natasha Wasuck, an ABC board member, was a reindeer. The Betterment Committee is working to develop a Santa museum on Main Street.
Celes Paratore, an Orleans County 4-H’er, needed to scoop up a goat that ran out of energy near the end of the parade. Celes was promoting 4-H programs and the fair from July 27 to Aug. 1
Trellis Pore, pastor of the Shiloh Church in Albion, played music and brought a joyful presence to the parade. He was joined by several people from the “judgement free” church.
Albion’s T-Ball and youth baseball teams tossed candy to eager youngsters along Main Street.
Kerry Panek and her grandchildren celebrated 40 years of Panek’s Pickin Patch on West Countyhouse Road.
Mr. Septic brought smiles to the crowd with this float. “You dump it, we pump it!” the business declared. Many businesses joined in the parade.
The Eye of Oden K9 Training had about 15 dogs and their handlers in the parade.
Justin Kania, front, and Josh Schoeberlein were out promoting Legendary Exterior Services.
Will Plummer served as king and Julia Graham was queen of the Strawberry Festival. Both are Albion High School students active in community service.
Orly the Ox and his brother Scout were in the parade. Orly debuted last year as the Orleans County bicentennial mascot. This year Orly is joined by his brother in promoting the country’s 250th anniversary. Oxen were critical in the county’s early days, transporting pioneers and helping them to plant crops and work the land.
Dance Reflections by Miss Heather had a patriotic float for the country’s 250th anniversary. Dance Reflections also is celebrating 20 years in Albion.
These quilters from the Town and Country Quilt Shop displayed patriotic quilts in honor of the 250thanniversary of the country.
Jeremy Neal drives a 1955 Farmhall Cub tractor as part of the display for the CURE Foundation to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. Neal’s son Byron passed away from cancer at age 8 on April 14, 2023.
CSAT, the Charter School for Applied Technologies from Buffalo, had a large presence with its marching band.
The Holley-Kendall marching band have been mainstays at the Strawberry Festival in recent years.
