The threat of rainy weather didn’t keep Cheswick residents away from the borough’s annual Strawberry Festival on Sunday.
Hundreds of people turned out for the festival at Rachel Carson Park that featured strawberry shortcakes, Glen’s Custard, strawberry pie, dozens of vendors and live music from Up the River band.
The festival began in the late 1980s, and the Cheswick Recreation Board took it over from the former Rotary group a few years ago. It’s a fundraiser for the recreation board’s other events throughout the year and park improvements.
“We hope to serve 500 shortcakes,” said Carol Hanna, a member of the borough’s recreation board. “It’s mostly for the community to get together and visit with your neighbors.”
Organizers were well on their way to that goal less than an hour into the event as people lined up to get their shortcakes.
“It’s great,” said Arslan Orazov while he waited for his son to have his cake topped with strawberries. “It’s Cheswick culture.”
Springdale resident Lisa Burkett and her mom, Lucy Fogle, come to the festival every year. They also use the park year-round.
“I love strawberries,” Fogle said.
Burkett said she enjoys getting to visit with friends and being outdoors.
“It’s beautiful by the river,” she said.
They weren’t deterred by the weather after last year’s festival got drenched.
“We just brought our umbrella and kept walking,” Burkett said.
Paul Jack, borough council president, said the festival brings out people he hasn’t seen in ages.
“This is an annual affair that everybody looks forward to,” Jack said.
