Article by: Kiersten Brackelman, Contributing Writer

This year, on April 11 and 12, the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival returned with another fruit-themed weekend for the whole family to enjoy. The annual festival located in the Loxley Municipal Park starts on the second Saturday in April every spring. This event had many fun activities for people of all ages. There were booths with local artists and their crafts, as well as concession stands, carnival rides, and of course, strawberries. In fact, many of the products being sold were strawberry-themed. From strawberry ice cream to strawberry shortcakes and even strawberry hats, aprons, shirts, dresses, and jewelry. The carnival section of the festival was filled with classic games and rides such as the fun maze, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, and ring toss. There were also the typical carnival foods, including funnel cakes, elephant ears, and ice cream. 

The Baldwin County Strawberry Festival was started in 1987 by ARC Baldwin County and Loxley Elementary School. All proceeds from the festival are donated to these two beneficiaries, and this event manages to generate approximately $100,000 each year. After 38 years, it has become a foundational event for not only the community but also local exhibitors, vendors, and artisans. An exhibitor is an individual, club, organization, or business planning to sell non-food items. A vendor is an individual, club, organization, or business planning to sell food items. Applications to be a vendor or exhibitor for next year’s festival will open in December 2026, and the festival itself will be held on April 10 and 11, 2027. 
For more information about the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival, check out their website: Baldwin County Strawberry Festival