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May 21, 2007
Strawberry Festival
I for one thought this last weekend was one of the most successful festivals this town has hosted in years. I could not help but notice the amount of people that were around Main St and Market St. I was glad to see so many people came to visit our little town. The Chamber did a good job with having 'Event Staff' personnel to help keep the crowd and kids away from the parade. Lot more FLOATS in the parade, good to see more people participating. I did not attend the concert, so I cant comment on it. What did everyone else think about it about and what would you like to see done next yr to make it bigger and better.
I for one would like to see a 10k race in the Strawberry Stride and maybe continue to grow to a half marathon in the yrs to come.
Posted by David at May 21, 2007 11:24 AM
Comments
I've never understood why they call the Strawberry Parade a Parade. A real Parade is supposed to be floats, bands, And Clowns And not a bunch of cars with every 1/2 year age group Boy and Girl Winner 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th runner ups etc. If we cared to see all these we would have went to the Pagent. Then there is those that just want to drive their car so everyone can see. Why do the organizers continue to allow this crap every year.
I have a friend that moved to a small town in Montana last summer and they recently had a Winter Parade there . The town is only a little over 1000 people and she said she was amazed that such a small town could have over sixty Floats in their parade. Apparently every business in that town took enough pride in their town to put together floats. The business's here want to drive a car through the parade with poster board taped to the side.
Posted by: CD at February 25, 2008 08:26 PM
We live right next to the park. Thanks for the free fireworks show!
Posted by: Moose at May 29, 2007 10:40 PM
Ronnie thank you for taking the time in your home town to do a free show! It was nice to see Lee back where he belongs with YOU!
Keep up the great work. The festival was nice too!
Posted by: Barb at May 23, 2007 03:38 PM
We came all the way from Holland Michigan for the festival and to see Ronnie McDowell of course! The festival was almost as great as the strawberry short cake I ate!
One day we hope to make it back there!
We love to see Ronnie and it was great to see him in his hometown.
Posted by: Jackie at May 23, 2007 03:28 PM
AWESOME Job by the City and our Chamber for this year's Strawberry Festival!!
I was extremely pleased down town. The square was in overload with vendors along with main street, what I seen this year that really stuck out was the EVENT STAFF, not an overflowing trash can on the square did I see, how refreshing as in years past the barrells were piled high and then some. GREAT JOB! I saw a professionally run event and one that Portland should be VERY Proud of! WAY TO GO EVERYONE who played a part in this years event!!
And might I add, by Sunday morning you couldn't even tell there was such an event the day before, GREAT JOB on the Clean up!
I heard Ronnie's Concert was GREAT, A Very, Very Talented Family!!
Posted by: Judy at May 22, 2007 09:40 PM
Would it not be great to have more concerts in the park.....Of course I would love to see more variety in the music.What happened to the bands that played at Pizza Hut?
Posted by: ara at May 22, 2007 09:34 AM
I had to miss all the fun this year due to my BIL's graduation and party following on Saturday. Did anyone attend the PHS graduation? Honestly, it was quite pathetic. I couldn't hear the singing,although I did hear one very loud singer,which startlted the fire out of me since the others were mere whispers, and the rudeness of some of the parents and families made me so angry. They were asked to please be quiet during the entire ceramony so everyone could be heard, thanks to about 50 adults who apparently have the listening skills of my two year old,I couldn't hear when my brother-in-law was called over their hoots and hollers. Its a darn shame people can't be respectful when asked.
Posted by: Jessica E. at May 21, 2007 04:48 PM
The Festival this year was a lot more professional looking...the "Event Staff" did a great job keeping it safer and smoother running.
The park was absolutely beautiful at night...the stage being lower than the audience seating is great. Hopefully we will be having more concerts in the park !
The one area the city needs to really really improve on...is Please Make the City look FESTIVE.
It was so drab and plain...passers-through the city would never have known we were going to have a festival. Put up some banners across the street a couple weeks in advance...and hang up some cute strawberry flags along the parade route or tie some red bows or something on the light poles...
Otherwise, it was great !!
Posted by: DeeAnna at May 21, 2007 01:32 PM
Yes, the festival was the best I have seen in years!! Hats off to everyone that made it possible.
I would like to see the town and the business owners get a little fancier with their decorating next year. Really play it up BIG!! Also the festival needs MORE music. Invite some big name country music stars to attend. I'm sure Ronnie could take care of that!! LOL
Posted by: dontmakemelaugh at May 21, 2007 12:18 PM
I thought this years went off PERFECT.
I also wanted to let the City Council men and all that was involved with the new park (Richland). That is one of the nicest parks I've been do. I'm sad to say that this is the first time since the park was opened that I had been there. So Hat's Off to all!!
Posted by: jasonmiddletn at May 21, 2007 11:46 AM