42nd Troy Strawberry Festival brings music to forefront

TROY – Eric Roetter’s love of music will fill the streets of Troy during the 2018 Strawberry Festival.

The theme for the June 2 and 3 festival will be Strawberry Palooza, selected by Troy native Roetter.

The theme comes from “a love for music I have had from an early age,” he said. “I am trying to convey that love of music. It can take you to a different place.”

The logo for the festival, featuring a strawberry-shaped guitar, was designed by one of his sons. The guitar is embellished with 42 seeds, representing each year of the annual festival.

The festival will feature more than 100 craft booths and 70 food vendors. The festival serves as the main fundraising activity for many local nonprofit groups and the only annual fundraiser for some.

Activities are held on the Great Miami River levee as well as on the downtown Public Square and adjoining streets.

Roetter has been involved in the festival since 2000 beginning with the Little Mr. and Miss contest.

His wife, Kathi, was the chairperson for the 2014 festival.

“I love Troy, and this is part of the love of it,” Eric Roetter said of the festival involvement.

Among traditional festival activities on June 2 are a pie-eating contest, a bike tour and Little Mr. and Miss contest along with an evening concert by Journey tribute band New Frontiers. On June 3, activities include runs and a diaper derby.

Entertainment is planned throughout the weekend with demonstrations such as cardio drumming and dance plus a wide range of musical offerings. A Sunday morning worship with Declare on the Square will be available.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 2 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 3.

To help deal with parking and traffic near the festival site, three shuttle locations will be set up, offering pick up and drop off of visitors. The parking is available at WACO Airfield, the Miami County Fairgrounds and at ITW Hobart on Ridge Avenue. The ITW location offers handicap accessible vehicles.

Festival activities planned the evening of June 1 are more intended as a hometown kick off for local residents before the main festival events June 2 and 3, Roetter said.

For more information about the 2018 Troy Strawberry Festival, visitwww.gostrawberries.com, the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/troystrawberryfestival, or call (937) 339-7714.

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