QUINCY, Ill. (AP) - A western Illinois church is ending its annual Strawberry Festival after 120 years.
The Quincy Herald-Whig reports (https://bit.ly/2sjsbMQ ) this past Memorial Day’s Strawberry Festival was the last for Ellington Memorial Presbyterian Church. It’s coming to a close because of the work and time it requires. Festival committee member Donna Jansen says “it’s always been a labor-intensive process.” This year 70 volunteers worked to prepare strawberry shortcake and other treats for about 700 people.
Jansen says the festival started in 1897 when the church added a kitchen. Longtime attendees spent Monday savoring the festival one last time. Many said it was bittersweet.
Jansen says the church is thankful for the people who came and it will continue to hold other community events, like its annual November pork chop dinner.
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Information from: The Quincy Herald-Whig, https://www.whig.com
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