2026 Strawberry Festival at BUCC

The Bloomville United Church of Christ is hosting its annual Strawberry Festival event rain or shine on Saturday, June 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to food and socializing, visitors can enjoy a photo station with the “Strawberry Truck” and kids activities including a bounce house. New this year, the festival will also feature bingo and a raffle. The event is held outside the church which is located at 31 N. Marion Street, Bloomville and parking is available in the back.

“Though the funds we raise are very valuable to our church and our mission, we don’t really see the Festival as a fundraiser,” said Audrey Naegele (Flood), president of the Bloomville UCC’s Consistory board. “Our congregation has so much fun socializing and visiting with people, this is one of the things we look forward to most all year. Tons of work goes into preparing for this event, but it’s more than worth it for the memories made.”

Troy Kagy, President of the Bloom Township Trustees, said, “Having grown up in this church and been involved in this community for years, I’ve seen firsthand what this festival means to people here. The volunteers pour hours of work into it, and the good it does for both the church and the community makes every bit of it worthwhile.”

Food serving will begin at 5pm on Saturday and go until 7pm (or whenever food runs out). Menu items include shredded chicken sandwiches, sloppy joe, cole slaw, potato and 3-bean salad, baked beans, various pies and the famous strawberry shortcake dessert with fresh strawberries and ice cream. Guests can use the main food line for a full meal, or a separate dessert-only line for those who only come for the shortcake. The event is dine-in only; carry-out will not be available. Assistance is available for elderly and mobility-restricted individuals.

“Every summer this festival draws people to Bloomville and gives our neighbors a chance to gather, catch up, meet new people and enjoy each other’s company,” Bloomville Mayor David Auble Jr. said. “It’s been a cherished tradition in the Village for nearly 70 years.”

For generations, the members of Bloomville UCC have put on this event each summer. It is an all-hands-on-deck effort: weeks of planning ahead and baking each individual shortcake beforehand; hand-cutting thousands of berries and setting up chairs early that morning; scooping ice cream, making change and keeping hot food coming all evening; then washing every tray and tearing down the tents at the end of the night.

For more information on the Bloomville UCC or Strawberry Festival, visit www.bloomvilleucc.org or the Bloomville UCC Facebook page. To give in support of the Festival even if you can’t attend, donate online at bloomvilleucc.org/give, mail your gift to PO box 55, Bloomville or bring it in-person to the event.