Strawberry Fest returns to Youngstown

St. John's Episcopal Church, overlooking the Niagara River on Main and Chestnut streets in Youngstown, will hold its annual Strawberry Fest. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

Homemade strawberry shortcake – made with local berries, freshly baked shortcake and real whipped cream – will be served alongside an assortment of grilled foods prepared by the Youngstown Lions Club. Donuts D. Clown will be on hand from noon to 3 p.m. for children of all ages. The Nickel City Blues Band will perform starting at 2 p.m.

Strawberry Fest dates back to World War II, when the congregation hosted a “strawberry social” for soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Niagara.

The church, built in 1878, will be open continuously throughout the event for self-guided tours. St. John’s is one of only a few remaining board-and-batten carpenter gothic churches with an active congregation in Western New York. It is listed on the state and national Registers of Historic Places.