Photo Provided Project Forward’s Strawberry Festival organizers readying for this year’s event, which is set for noon to 10 p.m. June 4. Pictured from left to right are Paul Stecker, O’Diam & Stecker Law Group; Dan Stephens, State Farm; Stacy Carpino, Unified Bank; Andrew D’ Cagna, HotRod Tattoo; and Bruce Marshall, AEP Energy. Unified’s Retail Banking Executive & Area Sales Manager Stacy Carpino is also the newest member appointed to the Project Forward Board of Directors. Organizers gearing up for Strawberry Fest

MARTINS FERRY –Longtime Martins Ferry Strawberry Festival tradition promises to thrill festival-goers again this year from noon to 10 p.m. June 4.

In addition to everything strawberry, there will be events and activities for kids, adults, craft and car enthusiasts, music lovers, and even a dog show.

“You won’t want to miss this year’s Strawberry Festival,” said Project Forward board member Dan Stephens.

Were you to Google “Martins Ferry Strawberry Festival,” you would come across a publication called The Billboard from June 10, 1957, listing the Martins Ferry Strawberry Festival’s long-standing tradition under General Outdoor & Coming Events. The festival back then was much the same as it is now, with community interest and involvement the number one concern.

For many years the Strawberry Festival was a right of passage for Martins Ferry children. It was also a harbinger of spring and a fast-approaching summer. As the world changed and folks started moving away from small-town Americana, the Strawberry Festival sadly faded into the past.

Fast-forwarding to the spring of 2018 allowed us to witness the efforts of a hard-working group of volunteers calling themselves Project Forward, who, to move our community forward, reached into the past to bring back the beloved Strawberry Festival. Now in its fourth year, as a Project Forward-organized event, the Strawberry Festival promises to have something for everyone.

According to Project Forward board member Paul Stecker, “We will have a cooking and baking contest with categories including jams, jellies and preserves, strawberry pies, and all things strawberry. There will be food trucks, an arts and crafts show, inflatables and activities for the kids, a dog show, a car show featuring the Ohio Valley Street Survivors, and some of the best local music around.”

Project Forward board member Andrew D’Cagna said, “Our music lineup is a little edgier than in 1957, with a little something for everyone.

“Come for the strawberries and stay for the music,” D’Cagna added.

Decena & Schumaker start the festival’s music lineup at 1 p.m. June 4, followed by Kanawha at 3 p.m., Bleach Fuzz at 5 p.m., and Buckwild Rockin’ Country at 7:30 p.m.

The Strawberry Festival will be held on South Fourth and Walnut streets in Martins Ferry and is sponsored by Unified Bank, AEP Energy, HotRod Tattooing and Dan Stephens State Farm.