The Annual Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival Serves up Shortcake and Sails

Once again it's strawberry time in the Hudson Valley. The Beacon Sloop Club's legendary annual Strawberry Festival happens on Sunday June 15, rain or shine, from 12-5pm at Riverfront Park in Beacon (very close to the Beacon Train Station).

Guests will hear live music and enjoy the best shortcake you have ever imagined - locally grown strawberries made with home-made biscuits topped with real whipped cream - while surrounded on three sides by the glorious Hudson River. There will be many treats such as strawberry smoothies, freshly made chocolate covered strawberries and other great foods. Many vendors will be on hand selling food and crafts, and a farmers' market will offer freshly baked breads, vegetables and many other local items. Tanks of live fish and other river life will be on exhibition along with displays of local river history and environment.

For information on being a food or crafts vendor or booking an activist or environmental table please call (914) 271- 0057 or visit beaconsloopclub.org for an application.

The Woody Guthrie will be taking guests on free sails from the Beacon Harbor. The public may sign up for a free afternoon sail to experience the beauty, power and grandeur of the Hudson. Guests may sign up at the Beacon Sloop Club booth for one of the five free sails during the afternoon. Seating is limited so be sure to arrive early.

The music will be sublime with folksinger\activist Pete Seeger and others.

Admission is free to Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival. For additional festival info: (845) 831-6962, (845) 496- 5 6 1 7 , www.beaconsloopclub.org

The Beacon Sloop Club is all volunteer and non-profit. The BSC Strawberry Festival raises money for the public sailing program on the Woody Guthrie and other environmental education programs. There is never a charge for sailing aboard the Woody. The BSC meets the first Friday of each month at the clubhouse in Beacon, right on the river near the Metro-North train station, for a potluck dinner, business meeting and music. The public is always welcome.