FESTIVAL SCHEDULEToday, May 9• 9 a.m. Dayton Art League Fine Arts Show at Rhea County Courthouse• 6 p.m. Carnival open• 6 p.m. Children's Night at Pendergrass Park (at the Dayton YMCA in case of rain)Friday, May 10• 8 a.m.-dark. Food and craft vendors• 9 a.m. Dayton Art League fine arts show at Rhea County Courthouse• 5 p.m. Cruise-In• 6 p.m. Strawberry Festival Charity Auction at Rhea County Courthouse• 6 p.m. Dayton Lions Club Men's Softball Tournament (www.softballwire.com)• 6 p.m. Carnival open• 8-11 p.m. Rubik's Groove '80s dance/showSaturday, May 11• 6:30 a.m. Berry Peddler Road Race & Time Trial (www.ScenicCityVelo.com)• 7 a.m. Dayton Lions Club men's softball tournament (www.softballwire.com)• 7 a.m. Dayton Rotary pancake breakfast• 9 a.m. Dayton Art League fine arts show at Rhea County Courthouse• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Entertainment at Courthouse Stage (gospel music) and Rotary Park Stage (variety)• 9 a.m.-dark. Craft and food vendors; family fun zones• 1 p.m. Tennessee Strawberry Festival parade• 1 p.m. Carnival open• 3-7 p.m. Entertainment on Centennial Park Stage• 3-8 p.m. Gospel music at Courthouse Stage• 7:15-9:15 p.m. Calling Glory
Like the season it celebrates, organizers of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival hope to prolong the fun as long as possible. The series of events that began earlier this week will culminate with the Tennessee Strawberry Parade on Saturday, May 11, through downtown Dayton. This year's theme is "Strawberries in Space."
Most events going forward are centered near the Rhea County Courthouse on Market Street, including arts, crafts and food vendors, who will set up Friday, May 10, in advance of a cruise-in and street party. A carnival is set up at the south end of the downtown shopping district.
For more information, visit www.tnstrawberryfestival.com.