The 32nd Annual Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Lincolnville Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road, Rt. 173, in Lincolnville Center. The event offers a full array of fun activities for the whole family including a parade, music, face painting, raffles, and strawberry desserts. This event is sponsored by the United Christian Church (UCC).

The parade, featuring the Lincolnville Band, will step off at 10 a.m. from Drakes Corner and proceeds down Main Street. Youngsters are invited to gather at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Library where materials will be provided to decorate their bikes and then they'll all join the parade as it passes by. The parade arrives at the Community Building at 10:30 a.m. where the Band will offer a short concert. Rosey and Corinne will continue the entertainment with a mix of country western, gospel, and old time hits.

There are several new additions to this year's festivities. There will be a scavenger hunt for kids as well as the perennial favorites: games, face painting and miniature horses, Annie Sue and Cricket. Fresh vegetables and fruit will be sold by LCS Garden Club, Ashgrove Farm, and Calderwood Farm, and after an absence of several years, the White Elephant Sale is back. The gift basket raffles returns as well.

Of course the main attraction is everything strawberry: strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, strawberry ice cream sandwiches,
strawberry biscotti, and berry jams and a variety of other baked goods. Grilled hot dogs and popcorn will also be sold.

History buffs will have a chance to tour the Meeting House, home of the United Christian Church, built in 1821. It has the original boxed pews, upper pulpit, balcony, and rippled glass windows and is on the Registry of Historic Places. It has been said that it is "essentially original and elegantly simple." It is one of the few Meeting Houses in Maine which is in activity year round service.

The Strawberry Festival is sponsored by the United Christian Church (UCC), an open and affirming community church.

"The congregation takes great pleasure in organizing the fun-filled community event," said UCC, in a news release. "Bring a lawn chair and plan to spend the day visiting with friends and enjoying the good food and entertainment."

FMI: email Susan Silverio, event coordinator: ucclincolnville1821@gmail.com.