A little mud couldn’t stop the good times being had Saturday at The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co.’s annual Strawberry Festival.
While rain created some issues with parking and walking the grounds, showers held off throughout the morning and early afternoon, which led to a late-morning surge in activity.
“It’s really picked up in the last couple of hours,” said Marlene Knight, owner of The Cottage. “I think the first hour everybody was waiting to see what was going to go on with the weather. But now they’re coming in pretty good. I think (Sunday) is going to be killer. We think it’s going to be perfect weather, and we still have fresh strawberries and strawberry pies.”
There was no shortage of activities for attendees, with live music throughout the day, as well as a petting zoo, pony rides, an abundance of food options and more than 150 vendors offering a vast assortment of items.
“This is a community that likes family-oriented events that don’t cost a fortune to come out and just have a good time,” said Knight of what has driven the event’s success. “We have a lot to offer for $5 parking.”
Gracie Campo was among those who fought through the mud to set up a vendor booth, as she said her car got stuck. But she said it was worth the trouble to set up her Gracie Girl clothing offerings.
“I have fun and fabulous clothes for younger people,” said Campo, who has been in business a little more than one year. “(Business is) a little slower because of the rain and mud, but it’s picking up a little bit. I think tomorrow will be better.”
Campo said she was a vendor at The Cottage’s Pumpkin & Pickle Festival last year and did “really well.”
Ari Cooper has been a mainstay at the festival, with this being the fourth year her Chained to Earth Designs has participated.
“It’s super successful every year,” Cooper said. “I love coming. It’s always a great time.”
Cooper makes chain maille jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces and rings, as well as bookmarks and key chains.
“I take the jump rings and I open and close them one by one, and assemble it,” she said. “It’s basically like knitting with metal.”
Jake Osborne, with Kentucky Honey Farms in Owensboro, was selling his products at the festival for the third straight year, and the weather conditions didn’t seem to be negatively impacting his sales.
“We’re doing pretty good,” he said. “I’m surprised at the turnout because of the weather, with everything soggy and muddy, but its a pretty good crowd. It’s always a great time out here, and it’s getting bigger and bigger.”
Osborne, who said he started beekeeping at 8 years old, has been in business since 2018 and has his products in about 25 stores in the region, stretching to Louisville.
“What we try to do with our operation is we will harvest at different times of year, because you get different honeys, and what I mean by that is, each flower has its own taste of honey,” Osborne said.
The Strawberry Festival continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at 6819 Highway 56, across from the Sorgho Firehouse. Parking is $5.
For more information about the event, visit cottagefarmstand.com.