You can't beat strawberry shortcakes in a shady spot with live entertainment in the gazebo.

The annual Lochaber Strawberry Festival will be held on Sunday, July 17th from 1:30 – 4:30 PM at Sylvan Hall (1585 Highway #7).  The show will go on rain or shine, with the entertainment moving indoors from the gazebo to the hall if the weatherman  doesn’t cooperate with us.

For an entry fee of $5 for adults or $3 for children, you get to enjoy a wonderful strawberry shortcake made with delicious fresh local strawberries, homemade biscuits and real whipped cream washed down with tea, coffee or fruit punch.  Barbecued hot dogs and soft drinks are also available for $1 each.

"Strawberry Fields Forever". (photo by Hennie De Caluwe)

Continuous entertainment, an important part of the gathering, will be provided throughout the afternoon.  Performers include Joanne Bouchard with Campbell Calder & Avon Brophy; Siblings Two; Andrew Stalker, Darlene Angevine, Campbell Calder, Dave Tellum & Urban Breen.  And while the musical performers are taking an intermission, Arpo the Clown with keep kids of all ages enthralled with his hilarious antics.

A flat of freshly picked berries. (photo by Hennie De Caluwe)

There will be a 50/50 draw, and a raffle. Among the raffle prizes are beautiful hand crafted items such as a framed needlepoint by Mary DeCoffe, a tied comforter by Merle Taylor, a quilted table runner by Barb Kinley, a flat (twelve 1quart boxes) of strawberries from Terry Taylor’s Farm, a gift certificate for two “very fine” seats to the winner’s choice of Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre productions and numerous other prizes donated by companies and individuals.  Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5.  They may be purchased in advance or at the door.  There will also be random draws for spot prizes during the course of the afternoon.

If you wish to purchase raffle tickets in advance, if you would be willing to sell raffle tickets or if you have something that you could donate as a raffle or spot prize, please contact Renée Brown by phone at 783-2349 or e-mail at mud_brown@hotmail.com.  If you have a prize to donate, arrangements can be made to pick it up.

Over the years, people and businesses have generously supported the LCDA by being sponsors of the Strawberry Festival.  Sponsors are recognized for their contribution by having their names listed in the Festival Programme.  Two types of sponsorships are classified as private and corporate.  Individuals and families, for a donation of $50 or more, are identified as private sponsors, while contributions of $100 or more by businesses are included in the corporate sponsor category.  If you or your business can see fit to become a sponsor, the LCDA will be truly appreciative.

Now isn't that well worth the effort? (Photo by Hennie De Caluwe)

Renée Brown and her team are working hard to provide you with a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Make a note of the date on your calendar, and we hope to see you there.

Due to concerns over abuse of the very popular dumpster program, the Municipality of the County of Antigonish has, for 2011 at least, replaced it with roadside pickup of bulky items.  This pickup will occur on a regular garbage collection day during the weeks of June 20 – 24 or June 27 – July 1.  The collection date for Lochaber and area is Monday, June 27th.  There are comprehensive guidelines regarding what and how materials may be put out for the roadside “Bulky Waste Collection”.  These guidlines are available by going to: http://antigonishcounty.ns.ca/admin/sources/editor/assets/BulkyWasteCollection.pdf.  This information is also being distributed to mailboxes throughout the municipality by an independent contractor and so will not be delayed by the postal strike.

The municipality is inviting feedback on the dumpster and/or roadside bulky waste collection programs.  If you live in Antigonish county you may call 863-1117 and pass on your comments for consideration in choosing future methods of collecting items not siutable for regular weekly garbage collection, but which can be collected by either dumpsters or special roadside collections.  Your thoughts on this are an important factor in the decision making process.