MARTINS FERRY — The Strawberry Festival is returning — again.

The festival, slated to take place June 26 in the downtown business district of Martins Ferry, was canceled last year due to COVID-19 concerns. However, with COVID-related health rules relaxed and more people getting vaccinated, organizers decided to go ahead with the event this year.

This is not the first time the festival has been revived. It was an annual event in the city many years ago.

At some point it stopped, but the good memories of the festival and its strawberry treats remained in the minds of many, leading to members of Project Forward wanting to restart it. And they did, with the festival making a comeback in 2018.

The revival of the festival was meant to not only give residents of Martins Ferry and beyond a fun event to attend, but to showcase the city.

Project Forward was started following a massive fire that burned several businesses in the downtown. In an effort to help the district recover, Project Forward was formed.

The group also created and organized WinterFest, which has also become a popular event for the city.

The Strawberry Festival, which primarily takes place on Fourth Street from noon to 10 p.m., features food, entertainment, games, vendors, live music — and strawberries, of course.

In previous years, the festival has also offered inflatables for children, but the committee has decided not to have them this year due to the COVID virus pandemic still happening.

However, according to the festival’s Facebook page, there will be a Kid’s Fun Run starting at 10:30 a.m.

There will be two races — one for children 6 years old and younger and a second for children 7-10 years old.

“The race is free. But come dressed in red or your best strawberry outfit. There’s a prize for the best strawberry outfit,” the festival’s page notes.

To register, call 740-359-6202.

Scheduled musical entertainment includes: Aaron Carey (acoustic guitar) 1-3 p.m.; Push (pop/rock) 3-5 p.m.; Ledfoot Lover (classic rock) 5-7 p.m.; and Stampede (country/southern rock) 7-10 p.m.

Vendors who would like to set up a booth during the festival can contact the Martins Ferry Chamber of Commerce at martinsferrychamber@gmail.com.