Grab your grass skirt and coconut bra. Dayton has set a luau theme for the 2011 edition of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival.
The highlight is the annual parade that draws thousands to the downtown business district. But before any Rhea County hula dancers float down Market Street, there will be a week of tasty activities celebrating the bountiful red berries of spring.
“It’s not Riverbend, but it does turn this street from nothing to huge crowds,” said Tec Conar, co-chairman of the Chamber of Commerce’s festival entertainment committee.
“Everybody loves it,” he said of the festival. “It’s part of the quality of life of Dayton.”
Leading off events is the H Bar M Rodeo’s “Greatest Show on Dirt” tonight and Saturday. The arena will be set up on Delaware Avenue near the softball complex.