Strawberry Festival a blossoming event

By Sheri Ashleman

It was a beautiful day in the Richmond Beach neighborhood for the 11th annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 8, at the Richmond Beach Community Park. Hundreds of residents and visitors attended the community gathering to partake in the music, food and numerous activities under warm, sunny skies.

This event is a showcase of many of the wonderful assets that can be found in Richmond Beach. The park itself boasts some of the best views of Puget Sound in the City - a fantastic backdrop for the performances on the Showmobile stage. 

All the bands have some connection to Richmond Beach or the greater Shoreline Area. This year’s outstanding line up included Fidgety Feet Jazz Band, Portage Bay Big Band, Warren Murray Delta Blues Duo, Northern Departure and Jimmy Free’s Friends.

An appearance by the talented young ladies who comprise Horizon School’s Junior Pom Team gave the event a real home town flavor.

A wide variety of culinary delights was provided by local restaurants Richmond Beach Grill House, Full Moon Thai Cuisine, Naknek Seafood and Flying Dragon Chinese Cuisine. 

Richmond Beach Community Association served up its signature fresh Strawberry Shortcake.

Vicki Stiles from the Shoreline Historical Museum led a walking tour of historic Richmond Beach.

 

Activities for the kids included face painting, art projects, a chalk mural on the park wall, a photo booth, whiffle ball, volleyball, a bouncer and an obstacle course.

Shoreline Police Department hosted representatives from the KCSO Marine Unit who brought their swift water boat to demo and talked about boating education and water safety. Shoreline Fire Department provided an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) display that included a resuscitation demonstration, Teddy Bear Clinic, toy fire engines, firefighter dress up, and a tour through a medic unit.

Shorewood High School seniors in Sally Tonkin’s digital photography class submitted their favorite photos to display at the festival. Paulette Kang’s photo received the most votes and won the Shorewood Photography Contest for which Paulette was awarded a $200 scholarship.

To view more photos from this event, visit Richmond Beach Community Association’s website.

The Strawberry Festival is co-sponsored by Richmond Beach Community Association and the City of Shoreline. The music is supported by a Community Arts Project grant from the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council. Other donors include AA Party Rentals, Lee’s Martial Arts Academy, Realtor Jack Malek, Qwest Pioneers and Vivian Bennett DDS.

Photos courtesy Richmond Beach Community Association