Posted: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 12:00 am
Community celebrations come and go. Few last 100 years, as the Strawberry Festival has.
In acknowledgement of those interested in absolute accuracy, this is technically not the 100th Strawberry Festival, but the 100th anniversary of the first one. No festival was held during World War II. We've heard rumors the festival was cancelled once or twice during World War I, too, but no one is around to confirm that, one way or another.
Nevertheless, as soon as the war years were over, the citizens of Lebanon picked up the celebration and kept it going.
The core events of the festival are remarkably unchanged over the last century: Two parades, one featuring children; a carnival; entertainment; and strawberries.
The World's Largest Shortcake was added when the festival was 22 years old. Over the years it has gotten bigger to keep ahead of challengers.
The rose show, which the men of 1909 encouraged the women of Lebanon to put on, has become a flower show sponsored by the Lebanon Garden Club. In recent years, quilts and art have been added.
Along side official activities planned by the group in charge of the annual event, other groups have added activities. Some, such as square dancing, have lasted. Some - boat races, a rodeo and a junior court - have not.
Some events from earlier years - tug-of-war and street dances - would be fun today. Long speeches by politicians? Not so much.
Lebanon is fortunate to have had civic-minded people over a 100-year period willing to take on the enormous task of putting on our annual celebration. Thank you to the Strawberry Festival Board.