What began as a one-day fun day in 1947 sponsored by the Dayton City Lion’s Club in Dayton, Tennessee, has grown into a week-long festival that draws visitors from around Southeast Tennessee to Rhea County to celebrate that area’s premier crop.
The 72nd Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Dayton is being celebrated through Saturday, May 11. This year’s theme is Classic Cruisin’ Berries.
The Tennessee Strawberry Festival may be known across Southeast Tennessee, but it’s maintained its street party format and still emphasizes old-fashioned, hometown fun.
The festival began earlier this week with a strawberry baking contest and the opening of the Kissel Shows Carnival in Washington Park.
The annual Dayton Art League Fine Arts Show opens today, and food and craft vendors will be setting up around the Rhea County Courthouse. Still to come is the Friday night sock hop with music by The Beaters. Also, car owners will begin cruising into Dayton late Friday afternoon to participate in the Strawberry Festival Cruise-In.
The primary festival day is Saturday. And how many festivals can boast of having a hometown son and “American Idol” top 40 semifinalist performing? Dayton’s own Drake McCain will sing at 7:45 p.m.
It’s not too late to make a day-trip to Dayton to join the fun. Here’s an overview of what is still to come:
Thursday
9 a.m. Dayton Art League Fine Arts Show opens in the Rhea County Courthouse. The show will open at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday as well.
6 p.m. Carnival opens in Washington Park.
Friday
8 a.m. to dark. Food and craft vendors on courthouse lawn.
Cars of all makes and models line streets in downtown Dayton for the Strawberry Festival Cruise-In. / Photo from facebook.com/TennesseeStrawberryFestival5 p.m. Cruise-In opens, free to participants and spectators. Lineup begins at Market and Main streets in downtown Dayton.
6 p.m. Carnival opens.
5-10:30 p.m. Entertainment on Centennial Park Stage.
6:30 p.m. Charity auction inside Rhea County Courthouse.
Saturday
7 a.m. Strawberry Chase, Ed Gentry Memorial Run/Walk.
7 a.m. Dayton Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast.
9 a.m. to dark. Children’s area open in downtown Dayton; craft vendors on courthouse lawn.
10:30 a.m. Lineup starts for Tennessee Strawberry Festival Parade.
1 p.m. Tennessee Strawberry Festival Parade in downtown Dayton.
1 p.m. Carnival opens.
Saturday’s musical entertainment
Centennial Park Stage
9 a.m. Center Stage Dance
11:45 a.m. Reviving David
3 p.m. Grandview Pickers
4:15 p.m. Boots and Roses
5 p.m. September Song
6 p.m. Sullivan Band
7:45 p.m. Drake McCain
8:30 p.m. Rhea Springs Revival
Gospel Stage
9:45 a.m. McDonald’s Singers
10:20 a.m. Dana Russell
11:45 a.m. Crystle Elam
2:15 p.m. Ken Hicks and Testimony Quartet
3:10 p.m. The Agee Famiy
4 p.m. Lakeside Bluegrass Gospel
4:50 p.m. The Mays Family