Everyone has their favorite Strawberry Festival activity. For some its the Grand Parade or the fireworks that follow. For others it may be the Pig Out on the Farm, the trike races, the Funtastic carnival, the talent show or the Berry Run. For many, last years inaugural Poochapalooza became an instant favorite and will return this year.
Whichever event may be your favorite, the wait is almost over as the 2007 Strawberry Festival gets underway in just a few days starting with the Golf Tournament on
June 9 and concluding June 17.
While the organizers may be busy making final preparations, the kick off of the festival marks the end of nearly a year of planning and hard work which began shortly after the 2006 Strawberry Festival concluded.
To ensure the success of the festival, dozens of people will have volunteered hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of their time. If you were to ask the Strawberry Festival leadership, they would tell you that the festival would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the volunteers. It is not possible to recognize all of the volunteers, but the work and dedication of all the Marysfest Inc. directors, officers and board members deserves mention and commendation. In addition, community organizations were joined by local businesses in sponsoring the many of activities.
The city of Marysville will also be helping out during the festival. Personnel from the police department, the fire department, the parks department, the sanitation department and the street department will be working throughout the festival to ensure that everyone attending the festival has a safe and enjoyable time.
The Strawberry Festival is not only a time for local families to get out and have some fun, it provides a positive economic impact on the area by drawing visitors from all over the Puget Sound region. The first Strawberry Festival in June of 1932, was a one-day event which netted a profit of $110.94. Today, the festival brings millions of dollars into the area.
The Festival also gives us recognition throughout the state and region. Through its participation in Northwest Hosting (a group of festivals throughout Washington, Oregon and Canada that send a delegation of people and a float to each others parades) the Strawberry Festival is able to promote Marysville and the local area in many other communities. Representing Marysville are three very special and talented young ladies Strawberry Festival Royal Ambassador Cassie Miller and Ambassadors Brooklynn El Fattal and Alicia Coragiulo. They are joined by volunteer chaperones and float crew as they travel to community festivals throughout the Northwest promoting Marysville and the Marysville Strawberry Festival. The trio and their escorts recently returned from participating in the Hyack Festival in Canada and are slated to participate in he Rose Festival parade in Portland this weekend. The following weeks and months will be filled with appearances by the Festival Float and Royalty at festivals throughout the region.
Make plans to attend the 2007 Strawberry Festival, youll find something for everyone in your family. And while youre there, take time to thank the volunteers whose hard work and dedication make this community event happen each year.

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board
Kris Passey or Scott Frank e-mail forum@premier1.net.