he Matthew Whaley Strawberry Festival is the highlight of spring for many Williamsburg citizens, combining a festive carnival atmosphere with an abundance of community volunteers.
For our youngest residents, there are sno-cones, games and bounce houses to explore. The famous strawberries are scooped onto sundaes or even eaten straight, in all their ripe deliciousness. It’s also a chance to dunk teachers and staff, a very popular attraction!
Hagen Hicks, who now lives in Chesterfield, Va., attended Matthew Whaley in the 1980s, and plans to bring her nine-year old son this year to experience the fun.
“Each year, I looked forward to the Strawberry Festival. The back of the school was transformed into a carnival, with games in the gym. I excitedly anticipated staying after school for face painting, the cake walk and my favorite: the bean bag toss into the center of a huge strawberry!” she said. “Thirty years later, I’m excited to share this with my son, Jackson, – and it doesn’t hurt that his favorite fruit is strawberries!”
For many longtime Williamsburg residents, it’s the memories of attending Matthew Whaley as students, or past festivals that draws them back. There is a bake sale, a cake walk, a book walk and enormous themed raffle baskets. The legendary raffle baskets are created by donations from every class in the school, each with a different theme and offering a variety of experiences – bidding is often competitive because they are so good!
“This festival is such a tradition, we look forward to it every year. It’s a community effort to hold it, and so many people have fun attending, but volunteering as well,” said Pam Mason, this year’s chair of the event. “The Matthew Whaley PTA sponsors this event and
Matthew Whaley Strawberry Festival
Friday May 10th 4:15 p.m. until 7 p.m.
it pulls so many people in to make it happen, but the proceeds go to field trips for all grade levels, summer camp scholarships and school programs.”
The festival is free to attend but tickets are required for food and attractions. Tickets are sold in advance at a discounted rate, and are also available during the festival. The Matthew Whaley Strawberry Festival is held rain or shine, and in 2019, it’s on Friday May 10th from 4:15 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Parking is limited, so the public parking garage on Henry Street, which is about two short blocks away, is recommended.
- Please add this event to your calendar listings.
- Additional photos are available here
- If you’d like to come to the event, please do – and let us know so we can help find you people to interview, the most interesting stories behind the scenes and great photo opportunities.
- We will send photos after the event – if you have any requests, please let us know!
