Richmond Beach Strawberry Festival - a community party with a magnificent backdrop

Photo by Drew Delgado

By Sheri Ashleman

Another fantastic Strawberry Festival was held at the Richmond Beach Community Park on May 14. Hundreds of residents and visitors attended the community gathering to partake in the music, food and numerous activities. Richmond Beach was blessed with sunny, blue skies for the event. The torrential downpour predicted by forecasters held off until everyone was safely home.

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. 

Photo by Drew Delgado

What a magnificent backdrop for the performances on the Showmobile stage! All the bands had some connection to the Richmond Beach community. This year’s outstanding lineup included Quarter Past 8, Portage Bay Big Band, Jangles, Shoreline Community college Bluegrassers and Shorewood High Jazz Band. 

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

Richmond Beach is also home to a number of quality restaurants who provided a wide variety of culinary delights at the Strawberry Festival: Flying Dragon Chinese Cuisine, Full Moon Thai Cuisine, Naknek Seafood and Swannie’s Sports Club and Eatery.

Did you know Richmond Beach was once covered in strawberry fields? The Strawberry Festival was so named to celebrate this little known fact of Richmond Beach’s heritage. The strawberry shortcake served up by Richmond Beach Community Association continues to be a favorite.

Photo by Drew Delgado

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, Beach House Greetings and Richmond Beach Classic Framing. Without their support, this fabulous community-building event would not happen.

Thanks, to everyone who attended the 2011 Strawberry Festival. You made it a fabulous day!