Annual strawberry festival coming to Alderson

The town of Alderson and Sunset Berry Farms are preparing for the annual Strawberry Festival which will be held on May 27 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Festival goers will have the opportunity to shop a multitude of vendors, enjoy fresh strawberries and participate in various activities.

A smaller event is scheduled for the Saturday before the festival, May 20, at Sunset Berry Farm for anyone who is unable to attend the festival or wants to get in an extra day of fun. Among the activities planned at the farm is “U-Pick Strawberries.” Attendees can go out into the berry patch to gather their own strawberries. The cost for this depends on the size of the container being filled. A pint container is $4; a quart is $8; and a gallon bucket is $25. Pre-picked berries are also available at the following prices: Pint container – $6, quart container – $10, gallon bucket – $40.

Another fun activity is the bucking cow barrel train ride. A tractor pulls a series of cow-shaped seats. According to Sunset Farm’s website, the rule is, “If you fit inside, you can take a ride!” Small children can often double up in the seats, and parents are welcome to ride along with the kids at no cost.

After taking a ride on the bucking cow barrel train ride, kids can enjoy West Virginia’s largest outdoor bounce pad. An enchanted forest/fairy garden is also available with several fun activities such as a scavenger hunt and a castle with chalkboard walls. There will also be craft vendors on site.

A tasting event will help kick off the festival on May 20 at the farm. Bakers from across the Greenbrier Valley are going to offer strawberry dessert tastings. The cost is $2 for one tasting, $10 for seven or $20 for 20. Any baker interested in participating is encouraged to go to comment on the Tastings Event & Strawberry Festival at Sunset Farm in Alderson event on Facebook.

The current list of vendors for the 2023 event includes:

• Sugar Bear’s Fun Shop WV

• Sixpence Pizza

• Appalachian Lemonade Beckley

• River & Earth Creations by Vicky

• Dirty Mamas Clean Soap Elkview

• Queen Christie’s Frame

• Mounted Blessing

• Sammy’s Custom Cups Hanover

• Auntie E’s Sweet Treats

• JBloom Permanent Bracelets By Mendy Paxton

• Roustic Mountain Boutique

• Handmade Jewelry

• Earth Candy Jewelry

• Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice

• Scentsy with Lisa Holland

• No Fuss Nails with Carol Sue

• Luna’s Landing Beckley 

• The Cutsie Farmhouse Ronceverte

• Jenny’s Creations

• Vesta’s Home of the Gnomes

• JJ Choo-Choo Goodies

• Rich Creek Soaps & Crafts

• Kaylajuku Jewelry of Beckley

• Peas & Pearls Sinks Grove

• Paws A Wow Huntington

• The Mountain Jewel of West Virginia LLC Elkview

• Mountain Mama Crochet

• Oakflat Creations LLC

• Callista’s Crafty Creations Mooresville, NC

• Liv’s Creations

This list is subject to change.

On the day of the main event, May 27, several activities will be available at the farm. This list includes food, vendors, the bounce pad, Bucking Cow Barrel Train Rides, Enchanted Forest Scavenger Hunts and U-Pick strawberries.

In addition to what is happening at the farm, there will be activities in town. Vendors are going to line the old bridge in Alderson. Live music will fill the air while festival attendees peruse the artisan market and food vendors on the bridge. The entertainment, which will be at the gazebo, includes the Goodson Boys and Lee Dean – Sinatra & Elvis.

Multiple businesses and organizations have sponsored the festival. The Robert C. Byrd Clinic, the town of Alderson, Sunset Berry Farms, Greenbrier Valley Dyes, Greenbrier Valley West Virginia, Alderson Main Street and Villa Joy are among the list of sponsors.

More information, including further activities, has not yet been announced, but the schedule is already filled with family fun.

For more information, contact the Alderson Strawberry Festival Facebook page, Sunset Berry Farms, or the town of Alderson. The official festival Facebook page will have all of the latest announcements for vendors and entertainment.