New Fairfield’s small town charm comes alive in the summer season and Preserve New Fairfield is kicking off an old time favorite this weekend – the Annual Strawberry Festival. The popular annual strawberry festival offers much more than just shortcake. There wi
ll be all manner of str
awberry-themed goodies and raffle baskets, with prizes for adults and children. Live music lends a festive air to this community celebration suitable for the entire family. “We have great musicians this year, but they are a surprise so you’ll have to come by to find out who will be playing,” teased PNF member and festival coordinator Faline Schneiderman, “Last year we celebrated our 10 year anniversary and this year it is the 10 year anniversary of moving the historic houses to their new home in town,” she said.

Preserve New Fairfield is a group of dedicated volunteers who saw the need to rescue two mid 19th century (circa 1838 and 1840) houses from demolition. Having succeeded in saving these two gems, and moving them to a new site, overlooking a beautiful mill pond, their future vision was to utilize them as a cornerstone for a center in the town of New Fairfield, designed to illustrate and preserve our unique town history via changing displays and programs. Ten years ago, the entire town watched as the historic homes, the Hubbell House and Parsonage were on the move. Now, the Hubbell House sits as a museum of New Fairfield’s local history and will be open for tours, free of charge on Sunday.

“We are looking forward to a wonderful harvest of fresh berries,” said Ms. Schneiderman. “we have
so many fun family activities planned and are hoping for some good weather!” The festival takes place rain or shine. This year the festival is sourcing their strawberries straight from an extremely local source – Johnny’s Food Center. “We try to support our community business
es in the same manner they’ve always supported us,” explained Ms. Schneiderman.

The Strawberry Festival is organized by a dedicated committee of members of Preserve New Fairfield Inc. PNF is a non-profit group working to preserve, protect and maintain local historic structures and the stories they tell of the lives and early culture of New Fairfield. Proceeds from this event will go to support their efforts.

Ms. Scheiderman stated, “this year, we are looking forward to being able to paint the inside of the Parsonage so we can use it in the same way we’ve been able to start using the Hubbell House. The day after the Strawberry Festival, Preserve New Fairfield will be hosting the third graders from Meeting House Hill School to tour the property and learn about New Fairfield’s local history. “We are excited to have them because they always ask the best questions,” gleams Ms. Schneiderman, “this year we are planning a Scavenger Hunt for them to do while they are here so they can check out different artifacts and displays.” Other plans for Preserve New Fairfield include the building of a barn on the property. “We are still in the permitting stages, but it is also something we are very much looking forward to doing. We also have our annual meeting coming up in June and we always welcome the support of new members.”

For more information on Preserve New Fairfield, call 203-733-7113 and visit www.preservenewfairfield.org. The Annual Strawberry Festival will take place rain or shine on Sunday, June 11 from 1-4pm in the parking lot of the New Fairfield Senior Center located at 33 Route 39 in New Fairfield.

Don’t Miss This Great Event:

Annual Strawberry Festival

Sunday June 11th, 1:00pm-4:00pm

New Fairfield Senior Center

33 Route 39, New Fairfield, CT

By Kate Mattiace