By Globe Staff
MARYSVILLE – The 85th Annual Marysville Strawberry Festival “Honored Traditions, Future Visions” kicks off today with the Kids Party in the Park at Asbery Field.
A variety of activities are planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for kids to have fun to get the festival started. Events include bouncy houses, arts and crafts, entertainment, face painting and traditional games like ring toss, too.
The annual Berry Run/Walk will take place June 12 at the Tulalip Amphitheater at 8 a.m. Runners and walkers of all shapes, sizes and ages participate. There are one-mile and 5-kilometer events. Proceeds go to Lakewood school activities and to fight childhood cancer.
If you are in to outfits be sure to check out the Fashion Show Tuesday at the Marysville Opera House. Models will wear clothes from the past. Proceeds benefit a student scholarship fund.
Also on June 14, check out the Talent Show. More than 25 acts have been selected to perform. Acts feature vocalists, dancers, guitarists, pianists, etc. ranging from ages 3 to adult. Some will perform original songs.
Five judges will decide the overall winner, who will be invited to participate in the Twilight Grand Parade and receive a gift basket. There will be first-place trophies for each category and second- and third-place ribbons.
The event will be at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5; children under 7 are free.
Starting Thursday at 10 a.m., a carnival with rides and games will be set up at Marysville Middle School. It will be open, weather permitting, daily through the end of the festival Sunday, June 19.
The popular Market in the Park will open Friday from 2-9 p.m. It features vendors selling a variety of products at Asbery Field. Entertainment starts that afternoon, starting at 4:30 p.m. with the Pennies for Puppies K-9 Demonstrations. The Raucous band will then play from 6-9 p.m.
The nearby Kiwanis Beer Garden also opens that evening from 5-10.
Saturday morning at 8 the Car Show returns, also at Asbery Field. About 100 cars are expected.
Also that morning, at 10 at Totem Middle School, is the annual Rose Planting, in honor of this year’s Maryfest President Paul Brown.
Musical entertainment starts at noon that day with the Mojo Kings, followed by the Joy Mills Band at 3 and Shelley & The Curves at 5:30.
Also that afternoon, from 1-3 p.m., strawberry shortcake eating contests will take place at Asbery Field. Divisions are by age groups.
The Kiddies Parade will take place that evening at 6. The categories are: costumes, wheels, pets, groups and floats. The Twilight Grand Parade begins at 7:45 p.m. with historian Ken Cage the grand marshal. More than 120 entries often sign up to be in the parade.
Fireworks will be shot off right after the parade that last around 15 minutes.
The festival eases to a close Sunday with the market still open, along with the rides. Musical entertainment will be provided by Voices of the Village at noon and the Talent Show winners at 1:30.
